Legendary Argentine goalkeeper Hugo Gatti has died at the age of 80, after experiencing complications from hip surgery during a two-month hospital stay.
Known as “El Loco” or “The Madman” for his unconventional style and outspoken personality, Gatti played over 350 games for Argentinian powerhouse Boca Juniors during his distinguished career.
His death comes weeks after reports emerged that Gatti was in intensive care with pneumonia, which developed after his hip surgery.
The surgery was necessitated by an injury sustained in a fall while walking his dog.
Sadly, he died on Sunday, following over a month in hospital, as confirmed by sources to La Nacion.
Gatti is considered a pioneer among goalkeepers for wearing gloves and earned 18 caps for Argentina`s national team.
He participated in the 1966 World Cup in England as part of the national squad.
The legendary goalkeeper played for both River Plate and Boca Juniors in Argentina, having begun his professional career with Atlanta in Buenos Aires.
He holds the record for the most appearances in the Argentine league, with 765 matches.
Gatti was also known for being among the first goalkeepers to often play outside of his penalty box.
After retiring from a 13-year stint at Boca Juniors, his final club, he transitioned into a career as a football commentator on television.
Earlier this year, reports indicated that Gatti was in intensive care due to pneumonia, a complication arising from hip surgery.
Although his initial surgery was successful, a hospital-acquired virus led to post-operative issues.
The subsequent complications and respiratory problems resulted in Gatti being placed in a high-dependency unit.
One of his two sons was already in Argentina, while the other returned home after learning of Gatti`s critical condition.
This loss comes less than a year after the passing of his wife of over 50 years, Nacha Nodar.
They married in 1977 and had two sons.
Their son, Lucas, became a midfielder, playing for Argentinos Juniors, Dundee, and Badajoz.
Lucas Gatti was appointed as the U23 manager for League Two club Bromley after retiring from playing in 2022.
In 2019, Hugo Gatti made headlines when he suggested that Lionel Messi needed to leave Barcelona and join Real Madrid to prove his status as the greatest player ever.
