Argentine · Córdoba, Argentina · Born 3 August 1952World Cup-winning Argentine midfielder whose dazzling skill and audacious move to Tottenham in 1978 changed English football forever.
Osvaldo César Ardiles was born on 3 August 1952 in Córdoba, Argentina, and developed into one of the finest midfielders of his generation with Argentinos Juniors before starring for Argentina's triumphant 1978 World Cup squad on home soil. His performances in that tournament attracted the attention of Tottenham Hotspur, who signed him that same summer alongside fellow Argentine World Cup winner Ricardo "Ricky" Villa — a groundbreaking transfer that introduced South American flair to English football at a time when foreign players in the top flight were still a rarity. Ardiles and Villa quickly became cult heroes at Tottenham, celebrated for their technical elegance in a league still dominated by physicality, and their popularity was such that they collaborated with pop duo Chas & Dave on the football anthem "Ossie's Dream," released ahead of the 1981 FA Cup final. Ardiles helped Spurs win that FA Cup, though the following year's triumph came without him on the pitch for the final itself — with the Falklands War breaking out between Argentina and Britain in 1982, Tottenham's management had already arranged for him to leave early to join up with Argentina's World Cup squad, sparing him from playing for an English club against his own country's backdrop of conflict. Ardiles spent a period on loan to Paris Saint-Germain during the diplomatic fallout from the war before returning to Tottenham, where he remained a beloved figure until 1988. He later moved into management, taking charge of Tottenham Hotspur himself in the early 1990s, along with spells at West Bromwich Albion, Newcastle United, and several clubs in Japan, Paraguay, and Argentina. Ardiles remains one of the most fondly remembered foreign imports in English football history, credited alongside Villa with helping open the door for the generations of overseas talent who followed them into the English game.
Being part of Argentina's 1978 World Cup-winning team
He and Ricky Villa were among the first high-profile foreign players to join an English club, and Spurs fans immortalised him in the iconic song 'Ossie's Dream'.
Did You Know?How They Played
Creative attacking midfielder with excellent passing and dribbling skills
Lasting Impact
Pioneered South American players in English football and became successful manager
Career Honours
- World Cup 1978
- FA Cup 2x
- UEFA Cup 1984
- FA Cup 1981
- FA Cup 1982
| Club | Period | Apps | Goals | Shirt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tottenham | 1978–1988 | 150 | 22 | #8 |
| QPR | 1988–1991 | 71 | 7 | #8 |
| Instituto | 1973–1974 | 0 | 0 | — |
| Belgrano | 1975–1975 | 0 | 0 | — |
| Blackburn Rovers | 1988–1988 | 2 | 0 | — |
| Swindon Town | 1989–1991 | 8 | 0 | — |
| Huracán | 1975–1978 | 65 | 22 | — |
| Paris Saint-Germain | 1982–1983 | 21 | 2 | — |
 Argentina | — | 63 | 8 | — |
Argentine Athletes