César Luis Menotti, renowned for guiding Argentina to its inaugural World Cup triumph in 1978, has passed away at the age of 85, as announced by the Argentine Football Association on Sunday.
The association provided no specific details regarding the cause of Menotti’s demise. However, local media reports indicate that he had been battling severe anemia since his hospitalization in March, with subsequent surgical intervention for phlebitis in April.
Recognized for his profound understanding of soccer and his ability to articulate its intricacies, Menotti was revered as one of Argentina’s most iconic and influential coaches.
Beyond his sporting pursuits, Menotti was noted for his engagement in political activism and his affiliation with the Argentine Communist Party. He was also an avid boxing enthusiast and a fervent admirer of the literary works of prominent Latin American authors such as Mario Benedetti, Gabriel García Márquez, Jorge Luis Borges, Mario Sábato, and Joan Manuel Serrat.
“Once I was interviewed by Borges, and when I asked him if it bothered him that I smoked, he told me: ‘What intoxicates me is not the cigarette, but the stupid conversations,’” Menotti recalled in one of his last interviews.
“So, I asked about everything … but not about soccer, because I know about soccer!” he added.
Menotti’s illustrious career spanned both playing and coaching roles. As a player, he represented various clubs including Rosario Central, Racing Club, Boca Juniors, New York Generals, Santos, and Juventus.
Transitioning to coaching, Menotti assumed the helm of the Argentine national team from 1974 to 1983, steering them to World Cup glory in 1978. However, his tenure was not devoid of controversy, particularly concerning his association with the military junta in power at the time of Argentina’s triumph.
In addition to his tenure with the Argentine national team, Menotti also coached various other clubs and national teams, including Mexico, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Penarol, Sampdoria, and Tecos.
Known for his long, neatly kept hair, Menotti eschewed the use of hairdressers, preferring to trim his own hair with scissors. He began wearing his hair long in the early 1970s as a personal superstition. Reflecting on this decision, he humorously remarked, “One day I said to myself: ‘I won’t cut my hair until we lose’. And we went 10 games undefeated, so it all started as a joke.”
In his later years, Menotti remained philosophical about death, remarking in 2014, “It’s the only thing I’m sure of. I don’t know anyone who hasn’t died at some point.”
