Argentina Coach Cesar Luis Menotti, Who Led Argentina to 1st World Cup Win, Dead at 85; Lionel Messi Pays Tribute

Argentina is in mourning as the coach who led the country to its first-ever World Cup win, Cesar Luis Menotti, has died at the age of 85. Tributes have now started pouring in for the deceased Argentina skipper, including his former team, FC Barcelona and Argentina superstar Lionel Messi.

Menotti died after succumbing to his recent battle with an illness which resulted in him being hospitalized for a month with severe anemia. Known as "El Flaco" back home, he stayed at the hospital until he died last Sunday. He was largely out of the public eye since his hospitalization.

As the head coach of Argentina, the man they lovingly call "El Flaco" helped Argentina win the 1978 FIFA World Cup against the Netherlands on their home soil in Buenos Aires. He also coached and managed several high-profile European and Latin American teams, including, including Sampdoria, FC Barcelona, and Atletico Madrid. Menotti also managed teams in his home country like Newell's Old Boys, Huracan, Boca, River Plate, Independiente, and Rosario.

The Argentinian football community is in mourning, with the Argentine Football Association (AFA) releasing a statement regarding the passing of the beloved "El Flaco" who led Argentina to various soccer accolades.

"The Argentine Football Association regrets to inform with great sadness the death of Cesar Luis Menotti, current Director of National Teams and former World Cup winning coach of Argentina.," the organization announced. "Farewell, Flaco querido."

He was also one of the country's biggest soccer legends, previously playing for Boca Juniors and Brazil's Santos. However, he also had several controversies, such as not allowing a then-teenaged Diego Maradona to be part of the World Cup-winning 1978 team.

Lionel Messi Gives Touching Tribute to Argentina Soccer Legend Cesar Luis Menotti

Meanwhile, the biggest Argentinian soccer star right now is, of course, Lionel Messi. Following news of Menotti's passing, "La Pulga" took to Instagram to post a touching tribute to the late Argentina coach and sent his condolences to family and friends.

"One of the great references of our football has left us. Condolences to his family and loved ones. RIP," wrote Messi on Instagram.

Messi played under Menotti when "El Flaco" was still Argentina's national team set-up as a director in 2019. The late Argentina legend also helped in overseeing two of La Albiceleste's biggest triumphs as of late, the 2021 Copa America and 2022 World Cup.

FC Barcelona Also Posts Tribute to Argentina Soccer Legend Cesar Luis Menotti

It was not just Lionel Messi who posted a tribute to "El Flaco" as FC Barcelona, which he led to one Liga, one Copa del Rey, and one Spanish Super Cup while he was its coach, also released an article thanking and praising the coaching legend.

"This Sunday the world has lost legendary Argentinian coach César Luis Menotti, who was at FC Barcelona for the last part of the 1982/83 season and all of 1983/84, in that time guiding the team to one Liga, one Copa del Rey and one Spanish Super Cup," wrote the team in its official website.

While in Barca, "El Flaco" reunited with Diego Maradona, whom he previously coached in the Argentinian National Team.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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