Menotti, maestro of Argentine football since the 1978 World Cup, dies

MADRID, 5 May. (EUROPA PRESS) -

Former Argentine soccer coach César Luis Menotti died this Sunday at the age of 85, leaving a sporting and social mourning in his country, which says goodbye to the coach who led the albiceleste to the first of the three World Cups it has won so far.

"The Argentine Football Association regrets to report with great sadness the death of César Luis Menotti, current director of national teams and former world champion coach of Argentina," wrote the official AFA account, on the 'X' social network.

Menotti, one of the great masters of Argentine football, had been hospitalized since last March. The charismatic coach had, above all, a very extensive career on the bench that also took him to Spain, as coach of FC Barcelona and Atlético de Madrid. With him as coach, Argentina won the World Cup for the first time in its history in the final against the Netherlands in 1978, where Mario Kempes scored two goals.

"The Atlético family is mourning the death of César Luis Menotti, coach of our club in the 1987/88 season and football legend. Our deepest condolences to his family and friends. May he rest in peace," wrote the Madrid team.

Born in Rosario, 'Flaco' Menotti played for Rosario Central, Racing and Boca Juniors, and also had a short career in Brazil, with Santos and Juventus. However, his legendary career took shape on the bench when in 1978 he led Argentina's first star.

The Rosario coach even coined the term 'menottism' to refer to association football and triangulation until finding the path to the goal. With Barça he won three titles in 1983. "FC Barcelona wants to express its condolences for the death of the club's former coach, César Luis Menotti," lamented the Barça team.