On Sunday, the Argentinian Football Federation announced that Cesar Luis Menotti, the Argentinian coach and the former Argentina Football Team director who famously led Argentina to their 1st World Cup in 1978 FIFA World Cup which is described as one of the most joyous moments for the country has died at the age of 85 at Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The AFA stated in statement that ‘The Argentine Football Association regrets to report with great sadness the death of Cesar Luis Menotti, former world champion coach of Argentina.’
#ProfundoDolor La Asociación del Fútbol Argentino lamenta informar con enorme tristeza el fallecimiento de César Luis Menotti, actual Director de Selecciones Nacionales y ex técnico Campeón del Mundo de @Argentina.
¡Hasta siempre, Flaco querido! pic.twitter.com/mKEPPUzo2l
— AFA (@afa) May 5, 2024
About Cesar Luis Menotti
The chain smoker Menotti managed 11 clubs in his football managing career where he managed few clubs multiple times. He was also able to manage two national teams- Argentina and Mexico during his 37-year managerial tenure. But he will be remembered for leading his native country Argentina to their 1st World Cup win on their home soil when their country was under military dictatorship and was ruled by Lieutenant General Jorge Rafael Videla who came into power after a coup.
In the finals of the 1978 Fifa World Cup between Argentina and Netherlands, La Albiceleste defeated Netherlands by 3-1 with two goals from the in-form Mario Kempes in the 38th and 105th minute and one goal from Daniel Bertoni in the 115th minute which destroyed a Johan Cruyff free Dutch side who had refused to play in the World Cup after being the victims of repeated kidnapping attempt before the World Cup.
He also opted not to choose the young 17-year old Diego Maradona who made his international football debut right before the World Cup.
Footballing World Remembers Him and Shares Condolences
Javier Milei, the Argentinian President reacted to the death of Menotti and said that he was deeply hurt at the departure of the leader of the Argentinian football who has given him and the country one of the greatest moments to celebrate it.
Mexican football federation also fondly remembers Menotti who took charge of the national team between 1991 and 1992 before spending his last days of his coaching career in Mexican football clubs Puebla FC and Tecos FC.
Carlos Hermosillo, the Mexican football legend also shared condolences to the Argentinian manager and stated that ‘Teacher of teachers, the greatest for me. My gratitude for what you did in Mexican soccer. For me there was a before and after you.’ Hermosillo further said that it was all because of Menotti that he got the opportunity to become one of the greatest Mexican football scorers of all time.
Jose Ramon Fernandez, a journalist who was also Argentina’s analyst broadcast partner at various world cups remembers Menotti and said that he will always be remembered as a football expert, thinker, knowledgeable, thoughtful, intelligent, and educated person whose level of qualities cannot be finished up to the end. He also said that he also talked with Menotti during the World Cup where they shared many laughs.
FC Barcelona also paid thier tribute to Cesar Luis Menotti who managed the Catalan giants FC Barcelona in 1983 to 84 with Maradona in his squad and led them to Copa Del Ray and Spanish Cup wins.
2022 World Cup winning Argentinian leader and Inter Miami player Lionel Messi said on his official Instagram page that one of the greatest leaders of our country has left us.
Cesar Luis Menotti On His Last Days Before His Death
For many years, Menotti had the habit of smoking cigarettes to his lips during the match but he ended the habit in 2011 when he was hospitalized and admitted to the hospital for his tobacco addiction.
Menotti also had the habit of keeping long hair and he said in 1970 that he would cut down his long hair until they lost a game but after that, they went undefeated for 10 games which became a joke.
In his last years, he said in a 2014 interview that he didn’t fear death as he is pretty sure that everyone has to die at some point in their life.
