Sadness invaded the entire football environment, but especially those champions who knew how to star in the feat of the ’78 World Cup at the hands of César Luis Menottiwho died this afternoon at the age of 85.
The majority expressed themselves through social networks. This was the case of José Daniel Valencia. “My father left when I was 15 years old, he couldn’t see me debut in the First Division, he couldn’t see me as world champion, he didn’t meet my wife or my children and he left a void almost impossible to fill. At that moment I felt a sensation that I thought I would never feel again in my life, The death of a parent is only understandable by those who have suffered it.. Today I felt that feeling again, because with you goes the father who took me to debut in first class, who made me world champion, who met my wife and my children. The father with whom I shared much more than football,” the Jujeño stated on his Instagram account.
And he added: “Surely the world will pay you the tribute that you deserve, César. All this in terms of football and surely they will be tributes much more worthy than the one that this 68-year-old man, who is once again an orphan, can pay.” “His contribution to the world of sport has been and will be immeasurable.”
Ubaldo Matildo Fillol, goalkeeper of that extraordinary team, expressed himself in X. “Goodbye, dear César. Thank you for everything you gave to Argentina and to football in general. Personally, I am also grateful that you have given me the opportunity to be Your goalkeeper in two World Cups. Your football revolution will be eternal. Hug from the soul to his entire family,” he posted on Elon Musk’s social network.
Mario Alberto Kempes, the National Team’s top scorer in the World Cup that was held in our country and key in the final against Holland with a double, also expressed himself on Instagram. “It is with great sadness that I received the news of the death of César Menotti. The departure of a great figure, so emblematic and loved in the world of football, is an irreparable loss. César Luis Menotti was much more than a colleague, he was a friend and an invaluable mentor to me,” he wrote. And he emphasized: “His passion for the game, his tactical wisdom and his humility inspired entire generations of players and coaches, including me. I fondly cherish the moments we shared and the teachings that he gave me. His legacy will endure in every goal, in every game and in every heart that loves this sport.”
Osvaldo Ardiles, who is in England, was another of the world champions who shared a photo of Menotti in Teacher of teachers. I have no words to reflect who Cesar was. Ahead of his time. Much more… much more than a Technician. My football father. A lot of me has gone with him today. Rest in peace, Caesar.”
