Legendary Argentina Goalkeeper Hugo Gatti Has Died
Former Boca Juniors and Argentina goalkeeper Hugo Gatti has died at the age of 80, following complications from a respiratory infection.
Gatti had been in hospital for two months in Buenos Aires. On Sunday, his family made the decision to remove him from a respirator, according to media sources. The former shot-stopper had suffered a public accident in February, which led to a severe infection that proved fatal.
Known as 'El Loco' for his flamboyant style both on and off the pitch, Gatti remains the most-capped player in Argentina's top flight, with 765 appearances across a 26-year career.
He played over 400 matches for Boca Juniors, winning three league titles and three major international trophies, including back-to-back Copa Libertadores wins in 1977 and 1978. He famously shared the dressing room with Diego Maradona during the club's 1981 title-winning campaign.
A pioneer of the 'sweeper-keeper' role, Gatti often played high up the pitch and was as comfortable with the ball at his feet as many outfielders — a rarity in his era.
He also represented Argentina 14 times between 1967 and 1977, and after retirement, he became a familiar face on Spanish television, known for his forthright opinions and larger-than-life presence.
Argentina's President Javier Milei, a Boca fan and former amateur goalkeeper himself, was among the first to pay tribute. Posting a photo of Gatti on social media, he wrote: 'Farewell, colleague (if I may say so).' Tags: ArgentinaGattiHugo Gatti
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Morocco World
2 days ago
- Morocco World
Real Madrid Signs Franco Mastantuono in Record-Breaking Deal
Real Madrid has secured one of the most sought-after young talents in world football with the signing of Franco Mastantuono from River Plate. At just 17 years old, the Argentine midfielder, who recently made his senior debut for the national team, is set to join the Spanish giants on a contract running until June 2031. The transfer was confirmed by transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, and has set a new record in Argentine football, with the total fee reaching $65 million. River Plate will receive $48 million, the full release clause, in a single payment, with additional taxes and fees raising the final cost for Madrid. River Plate had hoped to keep Mastantuono until the end of the season, but the player's desire to move to Europe, combined with a personal call from new Madrid coach Xabi Alonso, ultimately sealed the deal. Mastantuono will officially join Madrid in August, shortly after turning 18 on August 14. He will start with a lower-tier salary at Madrid, with performance-based increases and a signing bonus included in his contract. His arrival strengthens Madrid's focus on nurturing young talent, adding him to a growing pool of emerging stars that already includes Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo, Endrick, and Federico Valverde, Endrick, and Arda Guler. Mastantuono's journey to football stardom hasn't been straightforward. Growing up, he was a promising tennis player, and his family even pushed him to pursue a career with a racket rather than a football. In fact, when he was just 9, his first trial with River Plate was turned down. But Mastantuono's heart was always in football, and by 2019, he signed with River Plate, leaving tennis behind for good. At River Plate, it didn't take long for his talent to shine. By the time he was 14, he was called up to Argentina's U17 team, and by 2024, he was already playing for the U20 squad under coach Javier Mascherano. His performances with the youth teams were so impressive that he was quickly promoted to the first team. In January 2024, Mastantuono made his official senior debut for River Plate, becoming the club's third-youngest debutant at just 16. A few weeks later, he made history by becoming River Plate's youngest-ever goal scorer in a competitive match against CA Excursionistas, breaking a record previously held by the likes of Javier Saviola. Mastantuono is a versatile player who can play in several positions. Whether it's as a right-winger, central midfielder, or second striker, he has the ability to make an impact. His vision, dribbling skills, and football IQ are all far beyond his years, and he's already showing the composure and maturity of a much older player. Even as a teenager, Mastantuono is already showing leadership qualities, demanding the ball and taking responsibility in high-pressure situations. His performances have caught the eye of top European clubs, but Real Madrid acted swiftly to snatch the budding attacker. Tags: Franco MastantuonoReal Madrid
Morocco World
4 days ago
- Morocco World
Marca: Brahim Diaz is Morocco's Football Icon On and Off the Pitch
Rabat – Spanish sports daily Marca has spotlighted Brahim Diaz as a rising symbol of Moroccan pride for both his footballing talent and his growing influence as a public figure and cultural icon. Describing Diaz as an 'absolute icon' of Moroccan football, Marca said that despite not playing in Morocco's recent international friendlies, his presence remains deeply felt throughout the country. His popularity has soared since he joined the national team, and according to the article, his image is now seen 'everywhere' in Morocco, from billboards to social media, from television commercials to the streets of major cities. The 24-year-old Real Madrid midfielder was called up for Morocco's June international window but will not appear in either friendly, against Tunisia in Fez or against Benin in Agadir. This absence is not due to injury, as the Moroccan Football Federation has opted to rest him, aware that Real Madrid is counting on him for the FIFA Club World Cup later this month. Still, Diaz is fully involved with the national squad. He trained with his teammates during the international camp and will be watching the Tunisia match from the stands. 'A social and media icon' What makes Brahim Díaz unique, and what Marca emphasizes, is how his influence extends far beyond football. Since committing to Morocco in 2023 after previously representing Spain at youth levels, Diaz has experienced a meteoric rise in fame and cultural relevance. 'Off the pitch, Brahim has become a social and media icon among Moroccans. Since becoming a Real Madrid player and choosing to represent Morocco internationally, he has reached an unmatched level of visibility,' reads the article. Marca notes that he is the only footballer in the world to appear on the cover of Forbes while also starring in major Hollywood productions. In addition, he has launched his own bottled water brand and is the face of a nationwide advertising campaign with one of Morocco's top telecom companies. In addition, his youth football camp, called Mentalidad Brahim, already operates in Malaga and will soon expand into Morocco. The article concluded that Diaz represents something new for Moroccan football: a player who is not only gifted on the pitch but also culturally fluent and globally connected. Tags: Brahim DiazFootballsports
Morocco World
5 days ago
- Morocco World
Barcelona Face Possible Champions League Sanctions
Barcelona could face serious sanctions from UEFA, including a potential points deduction, after allegedly breaching financial rules for a second time. According to a report in The Times, the Spanish club are once again under scrutiny for how they've presented their finances to comply with UEFA's Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations. The club had already been fined €500,000 last October for incorrectly including income from so-called 'financial levers' in their profit and loss figures. Those levers involved selling off future earnings, such as a percentage of broadcasting rights, to raise immediate funds. One such deal brought in €267 million after Barcelona agreed to sell 10% of their La Liga TV rights for the next 25 years. However, UEFA ruled those profits couldn't count towards FFP limits, describing them as 'disposal of intangible assets'. Clubs are allowed to lose up to €200 million over three years under FFP, but UEFA's financial control board had warned Barcelona that any further breach would result in tougher punishment. That could now mean squad restrictions for next season's Champions League, or even a points deduction in the new league-format stage of the competition. Chelsea and Aston Villa are also under investigation, though both are expected to escape with fines as first-time offenders. Chelsea are said to have sold their women's team to a related company in an attempt to balance the books – something the Premier League allowed, but UEFA may not. Villa, meanwhile, reportedly spent more than 90% of their revenue on wages, breaching UEFA's squad cost cap, which will be fully enforced from the 2025–26 season. For Barcelona, however, this is a case of repeat offending. Tags: FC BarcelonaFFPFinancial RulesUEFA
