Former Barcelona player 'Cholo' Sotil is admitted to the ICU of a hospital in Peru

“In the early hours of today, December 19, Mr. Hugo Sotil Yerén was admitted to the emergency room and received immediate specialized care from our medical team. He is currently hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit and is being constantly monitored,” began the statement from the Ministry of Health of Peru (Minsa).

The former FC Barcelona player between 1973 and 1976, former teammate of Cruyff, is going through a very delicate moment. However, the same source says that no further details will be given out of respect for the family and asks for understanding: “We also convey to the media and the general public the request to respect this decision, as well as the privacy of the patient and his close environment.” The note closes with a message calling for calm: “The Dos de Mayo Hospital guarantees the specialized medical care that Mr. Hugo Sotil requires.”

Hugo Sotil, a pillar of Peruvian football

The former striker is a true legend in his country. He began his sporting career at Municipal de Lima, from the age of 19 to 24. Later, he became the first foreign footballer to arrive in Spain after the lifting of the ban imposed by the RFEF from 1962, due to Spain's poor performance at the World Cup in Chile, until 1973. The ban ended on May 26 and Hugo Sotil was presented by FC Barcelona on June 14. He spent three years wearing the Blaugrana shirt and made a spectacular partnership with Cruyff.

Later, he returned to his native Peru. He played for Alianza Lima (1977-1979), a club against which he played when a Barcelona expedition, led by Rinus Michels, went to scout him and convince him to sign for Barça. He spent a year at Independiente de Medellín (1978-1979), and then returned to Municipal Lima (1980-1983). Before retiring in 1986, he played for Los Espartanos and Deportivo Junín. At international level, he played in the World Cup in 1970 and 1978 and scored the goal that gave them the Copa América in 1975 against Colombia.

'Cholo' returned to Barcelona to be present at the Gran Teatre del Liceu for the gala for the 125th anniversary of FC Barcelona. He always declared his immense love for the club and has been very grateful to have been able to wear the Barça shirt. He is currently going through a delicate moment of health, but the health professionals at the Hospital Nacional Dos de Mayo will look after his well-being.