Luis Galván, world champion in '78 and idol of Talleres, passed away at 77 years old.

This Monday, the passing of Luis Galván, a historical figure of Talleres de Córdoba and world champion with the Argentine National Team in '78, was announced. The former defender was 77 years old and had been hospitalized at the Reina Fabiola clinic for weeks due to pneumonia.

With 502 matches played, Galván holds the record for appearances at the Córdoba club. Besides being part of the champion squad in the 1978 World Cup, he also participated in the 1982 World Cup in Spain, totaling 34 matches with the Albiceleste jersey.

"We announce with great sadness the passing of Luis Adolfo Galván, an emblem of the Club and World Champion with the Argentine National Team in 1978. We accompany his family and loved ones at this time, and we offer our prayers for the eternal rest of his soul," expressed the club on its social media.

His life and football origins

Born on February 24, 1948, in Fernández, a small town in Santiago del Estero, the Maestro took his first steps in football at Independiente of his city. Later, he played for Unión de Santiago before joining Talleres in 1970.

Córdoba was the province that adopted him, and in his early days with the T, he combined his passion for football with a job at the Fiat factory. But when the club began to stand out in national football, Galván decided to focus entirely on his sports career.

He was part of that memorable team led by Amadeo Nuccetelli that was on the verge of winning the Nacional 77, falling in a controversial final against Independiente.

His time with the National Team and the triumph in '78

During the 1978 World Cup, Galván was a key player for the team led by César Luis Menotti. Wearing number 7 on his back, he was a starter in all matches and was never substituted.

In the grand final against the Netherlands, Galván had a brilliant performance: he contained the opposing strikers and received praise from the international press. Menotti even declared that he was the most consistent player of the tournament, surpassing figures like Mario Kempes.

Meanwhile, FIFA honored him with the Fair Play award as the player with the greatest sportsmanship of the tournament.

In 1982, he represented Argentina again in a World Cup, this time in Spain, although the team was eliminated in the second phase and did not achieve the same feat.