SEATTLE - When it comes to shining at the biggest stage, Latin American soccer players are, more often than not, second to none. This is especially the case when it comes to Europe's premiere club competition.
Ever since the creation of the European Cup, Latinos have always been part of its history. Alfredo Di Stéfano, Héctor Rial and José Altafini were some of the first pioneers before the Bosman ruling in 1995 facilitated the freedom of movement among European Union workers, a measure that allowed more Latin American players to cross the Atlantic to further their careers.
