Biography
Who is Néstor Pitana?
Early life and birth
Néstor Pitana was born in Corpus Christi, Argentina, on June 17, 1975. He grew up to build a career in his home country as both an actor and a professional association football referee.
His early background in Argentina laid the groundwork for his future involvement in sports and performance. Over time, he established a presence in professional football officiating.
Refereeing career highlights
Néstor Pitana officiated matches at several major international tournaments, including the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2015 Copa América. He also took charge of games during the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2021 Copa América.
His most prominent assignment came when he was selected to oversee the 2018 FIFA World Cup final between France and Croatia. By taking charge of both the opening match and the final in the same tournament, he joined a rare group of referees.
Controversies and awards
His performance during the 2018 World Cup final drew discussion regarding the application of Video Assistant Referee technology. Specifically, decisions surrounding a first-half free kick and a penalty kick led to extensive debate among pundits and fans.
Additional debate occurred during a 2021 Copa America match between Brazil and Colombia when play continued after the ball struck him. Despite these incidents, he received individual recognition when he was named the IFFHS World's Best Referee in 2018.
Physical details and background
Standing at a height of 192 centimeters, Néstor Pitana possessed a commanding physical presence on the football pitch. His height helped him maintain authority during high-stakes international fixtures.
Throughout his professional path, he balanced aspects of acting with his primary work in association football. He remains recognized within Argentine sports history for his extensive officiating record.
Birthday and age
Néstor Pitana was born on June 17, 1975, which makes Néstor 51 years old today. That birthday falls under the Gemini sign. Néstor shares the date with 65 other famous people.
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