Luis Menotti, The Coach Who Brought Argentina To The 1978 World Cup Champion, Closed Age

Argentine legendary coach Cesar Luis Menotti passed away at the age of 85. (X/@AFASeleccionEN)

JAKARTA - Argentine football is grieving. The legendary coach, Cesar Luis Menotti, who led Argentina to win the 1978 World Cup, has died. Menotti underwent treatment due to anemia before dying at the age of 85.

Menotti merupakan salah satu pelatih besar yang dimiliki Argentina. Dirinya membawa Argentina memenangi Piala Dunia untuk kali pertama saat digelar di negara sendiri pada 1978.

At that time, Argentina brought up the star Mario Kempes who in the final beat the Dutch favorite team.

In the year after that when Argentina U-20 competed in the 1979 U-20 World Cup, he again won. Argentina won the title and was born the superstar Diego Armando Maradona.

However, Maradona had previously been sticking out when he was still a junior. With a special talent, Menotti was urged to call Maradona to join the national team competing in the 1978 World Cup. However, Menotti immediately refused to include Maradona.

The reason was that Maradona, who was then 18 years old, was considered immature. He is still young and Menotti wants to finalize it at the junior level by playing in the U-20 World Cup.

Luckily, Argentina can win the world. Otherwise, Menotti will get harsh criticism. However, the Minister of Social Affairs did not miss.

Maradona melejit di Piala Dunia U-20. Hanya saja, Maradona masih belum matang saat masuk tim senior yang berlaga di Piala Dunia 1982.

Still being handled by Menotti, Argentina failed to defend the title. They failed in the second half after losing against Italy and Brazil.

Menotti also witnessed his student, Maradona, who was always the target of the opponent's tackle, finally got a red card for committing a serious violation against Brazilian player Batista.

Menotti showed extraordinary dedication to Argentine football. He raised Argentine legends such as Mario Kempes, Daniel Passarella, Osvaldo Ardiles, and surely Maradona.

At dusk, Menotti was still active while serving as Director of the Argentine national team. He held the position from January 2019 until finally he breathed his last.

"The Argentine Football Association is deeply saddened by the death of Cesar Luis Menotti, who currently serves as director of the national team and former coach who brought Argentina world champion. Goodbye, Flaco querido," said an official statement from the AFA (Argentine Football Association). National team captain Lionel Messi also expressed his condolences. "One of our main references to football has left us. I convey my condolences to his family and friends. He has rested in peace," said Messi.

Menotti did not shine when he was still a player despite winning trophies. During his career as a player, Menotti, who was in the front position, played for Rosario Central, Boca Juniors, and Santos.

He only briefly entered the national team and never defended Albiceleste in official competitions such as the Copa America or the World Cup.

His career as a coach actually improved. Menotti started by dealing with the Newell's Old Boys club. He then led Huracan to win the Argentine League in 1973.

After training Huracan, Menotti became the head coach of the national team in 1974. He then concurrently served as coach of the U-20 national team for one year, 1978 to 1979.

After placing his post as national team coach, Menotti flew to Europe to deal with Barcelona. Despite just one season, he was able to win the Copa del Rey, the Copa de la Liga (Lea League Cup, only four-year-old tournament) and the Supercopa de Espana.

Menotti continued his coach's career by dealing with various European clubs, Argentina, Uruguay and Mexico (Puebla and Tecos). He even directed the Mexican national team and Italian club Sampdoria.

Malang-lintang di berbagi klub, Menotti akhirnya kembali ke timnas Argentina. Dia masih menyaksikan Messi memenangi Piala Dunia untuk kali ketiga bersama pelatih Lionel Scaloni.

"I am deeply saddened by the loss of the coach from the team who gave this country extraordinary happiness," said Argentine President Javier Milei on X's social media account.

"You have dedicated your time to the Argentine national team and football. No doubt your departure is a memory for anyone who loves football," said AFA President Claudio Tapia.