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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Menotti dies aged 85</li><li>Led Argentina to victory at 1978 World Cup</li><li>Messi pays special tribute</li></ul>

Lionel Messi pays tribute to Cesar Luis Menotti as legendary former Argentina & Barcelona manager dies aged 85

World Cup Qualification CONMEBOL

Argentina

Peru

LaLiga

Celta Vigo

Barcelona

Menotti was in charge of the Argentine national side between 1974 and 1982 and led the team to their first ever World Cup crown on home soil in 1978. As a player, Menotti played for Rosario Central, Boca Juniors and Santos before turning his attention to coaching.He managed Newell's Old Boys, Huracan, Boca, River Plate, Independiente and Rosario in Argentina. He also spent time coaching in Mexico, Italy and Spain - taking in spells at Sampdoria, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid whilst in Europe. Menotti returned to the Argentine national team set-up as a director in 2019 and helped oversee wins in the 2021 Copa America and 2022 World Cup.The Argentinian Football Association announced Menotti's death on Sunday.

WHAT HAPPENED?

The Argentine Football Association (AFA) <a href="https://twitter.com/afa/status/1787192270141194712" target="_self">posted on X</a>, saying: “The Argentine Football Association regrets to announce with great sadness the death of Cesar Luis Menotti, current director of the national teams and former World Cup winning coach of Argentina. Farewell, Flaco querido.”<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ProfundoDolor?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ProfundoDolor</a> La Asociación del Fútbol Argentino lamenta informar con enorme tristeza el fallecimiento de César Luis Menotti, actual Director de Selecciones Nacionales y ex técnico Campeón del Mundo de <a href="https://twitter.com/Argentina?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Argentina</a>. ¡Hasta siempre, Flaco querido! <a href="https://t.co/mKEPPUzo2l">pic.twitter.com/mKEPPUzo2l</a>— AFA (@afa) <a href="https://twitter.com/afa/status/1787192270141194712?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 5, 2024</a></blockquote>
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WHAT THE ARGENTINE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION SAID

Paying a special tribute to the former Argentina and Barcelona boss, Inter Miami superstar <a href="https://www.instagram.com/stories/leomessi/?hl=en" target="_blank">Messi posted on Instagram</a> saying: "One of the great references of our football has left us. Condolences to his family and loved ones. RIP."<picture><source srcset="https://assets.goal.com/images/v3/blt7c819c0fd58654eb/Screenshot_2024-05-05_223810.png?format=webp" type="image/webp"><source srcset="https://assets.goal.com/images/v3/blt7c819c0fd58654eb/Screenshot_2024-05-05_223810.png?format=jpg" type="image/jpeg"><img src="https://assets.goal.com/images/v3/blt7c819c0fd58654eb/Screenshot_2024-05-05_223810.png?format=jpg" alt="Messi-Instagram-Menotti" data-source="IG:@leomessi" data-copyright="IG:@leomessi" data-portal-copyright="IG:@leomessi" perform:prop="uuid:blt7c819c0fd58654eb;width:408;height:514"></picture>

WHAT LIONEL MESSI SAID

Menotti handed a 16-year-old Diego Maradona his debut for the national team in 1977, but controversially left the Argentina icon out of his World Cup squad the following year. Maradona did play under Menotti at the next World Cup in Spain, but was sent off in Argentina's second round defeat to Brazil. The pair would reunite at Barcelona shortly after Menotti's exit from the Argentina post in 1982, and lifted the Copa del Rey in their first season working together at club level.

DID YOU KNOW?

Argentina will mourn the death of their former manager, who played a vital role in making La Albiceleste one of the strongest international sides in the game. A minutes' silence was held at half-time in honour of Menotti during the Argentinian League Cup final between Velez Sarsfield and Estudiantes.

ARGENTINA MOURNS MENOTTI

Lionel Messi pays tribute to Cesar Luis Menotti as legendary former Argentina & Barcelona manager dies aged 85 | Goal.com

Lionel Messi has paid tribute to the legendary former Argentina and Barcelona manager Cesar Luis Menotti, who has died at the age of 85.