Hugo “Cholo” Sotil has passed away at the age of 75. The former Barcelona forward in the 1970s, alongside Johan Cruyff, has died after experiencing significant health problems in recent days that led to him being hospitalized in the ICU at a hospital in Lima. Sotil's death comes after his last visit to Barcelona, on the occasion of the 125th anniversary of the Barcelona entity. He left a lasting mark with his goals and his grit, especially in the 1973-1974 season, during that unforgettable League where Barça was crowned champion at El Molinón. His phrase from that day is still remembered: “Mamita, campeonamos.” A phrase that has gone down in history as one of the great quotes in Barcelona's history.
Born in Ica, where he was born on May 18, 1949, Sotil was a soccer player who shone alongside Cruyff, Rexach, Asensi, Marcial, and Juan Carlos. In the famous 0-5 victory of Barça at the Bernabéu on February 17, 1974, Sotil scored the final goal. That was his great season. Later, with the arrival of Johan Neeskens, he had to spend some time out of the team because only two foreign players were allowed to play. The final stages of his career did not have the same shine. After leaving Barça, he played for Independiente de Medellín, Espartanos, and Deportivo Junín. He retired in 1986. He played in two World Cups with Peru, in 1970 and 1978, scoring 18 goals in 62 international matches.
In the first season of Cruyff's Barça, Sotil adapted perfectly
Street player, with a cheerful and worldly character, he integrated into Barça under Rinus Michels and Cruyff. He was the team's rascal, representing the most street-style soccer. Bureaucratic problems after his first season at Barça plunged him into melancholy, and when he returned to the field, he was never the same.
