Goodbye, 'Cholo'! Former FC Barcelona player Hugo Sotil dies at 75

The Barcelona fandom is in mourning. Unfortunately, this Monday, December 30, at the age of 75, former FC Barcelona player, Hugo 'Cholo' Sotil, passed away, who wore the blue and red colors of the team from the 1973-74 season until the 1976-77 season, marking 18 goals and providing three assists in 71 matches, becoming one of the most emblematic South American players of that era.

It is worth remembering that the iconic ex-forward, who shared the dressing room with a generation of players including names like Johan Cruyff, Carles Rexach, Marcial Pina, and Juan Manuel Asensi, was hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a clinic in his native Peru, specifically at the Dos de Mayo Hospital in Lima. This happened after on December 20, he presented what was classified as "complications in his health condition," about which no further details were disclosed out of respect for the privacy of the affected individual and their family during such a difficult time.

The Peruvian will be fondly remembered by the Blaugrana fans

As a Barça supporter, the 'Cholo', known for his skill, courage, and intuition on the field, was a true showman of the era. He is remembered, among other things, for the famous call to his mother from the locker rooms on April 7, 1974, at El Molinón, after Barcelona's victory over Sporting Gijón (2-4) in the 1973-74 LaLiga, exclaiming, "Mom, we've become champions!", a phrase that remained etched in the hearts of the Blaugrana fans.

Unfortunately, that would be the only title that the 'Cholo' Sotil would celebrate as a Barcelona player. However, he also experienced memorable moments such as the historic 0-5 win against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu on February 17, 1974, where he himself scored the fifth goal of that historic victory.

He also faced his challenging moments as a Barça player

However, the 'Cholo' also experienced difficult moments as a Barça player. In the 1974-75 season, Barcelona acquired the services of Dutch midfielder Johan Neeskens, leading to a complicated period for Hugo.

Since the team already had three foreign players in the squad, the regulations of Spanish football at that time only allowed the fielding of two foreigners without the possibility of rotation. As a result, the 'Cholo' Sotil, in this case, was excluded and could only participate in training sessions and friendly matches. It wasn't until the 1975-76 season, the last one for the Peruvian as a Blaugrana, that he could play for Barcelona again.

"They told me that in two months I would be naturalized. The European Cup? We were at the right moment. That was the desire of the guys, of Johan, of 'professor' Rinus Michels. But they didn't give me dual nationality because someone intervened there. If Cruyff and I made five goals, with Neeskens, it was going to be even harder to beat us, because that team was already made! Unfortunately, it didn't happen that way. Later, we played together, but it wasn't the same,"

Reactions to Hugo 'Cholo' Sotil's passing

Upon learning of the passing of the former forward, Copa America champion with Peru in 1975 and a figure of Alianza Lima, where he secured a historic back-to-back championship (1977 and 1978), various sectors have reacted, including FC Barcelona, the Players' Association, LaLiga, and the Alianza Lima club.

"FC Barcelona mourns the death of Hugo Sotil, a Blaugrana player from 1973 to 1976, and wishes to express its condolences to the family and friends. Rest in peace, Cholo,"

"We regret the passing at 75 years of Hugo Sotil, a player of FC Barcelona from 1973 to 1976. A few weeks ago, we were lucky to share the Annual Dinner of the Association with him. Rest in peace, Cholo!"

"LaLiga wishes to convey its deepest condolences to the family and friends of Hugo Sotil. Rest in peace,"

"We regret to inform with deep sorrow the death of Hugo 'El Cholo' Sotil, one of our great white and blue legends (champion in 1977 and 1978), a World Cup player and Copa America champion, as well as an idol at the 𝗙𝗖 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗮. We extend our condolences to the family, friends, and the entire white and blue community. 𝙀𝙡 𝘾𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙤 𝙫𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙧𝙖́ 𝙨𝙞𝙚𝙢𝙥𝙧𝙚 𝙚𝙣 𝙣𝙪𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙨 𝙘𝙤𝙧𝙖𝙯𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙨!"

Forever a legend.