Argentina coach in the World Cup in Brazil dies at 66 years old
The Argentine Football Association announced yesterday evening the death of Alejandro Sabella, the former coach of the Argentine national team, at the age of 66.
"We have lost a player, a coach and a great person," the Argentine Federation said in a statement issued yesterday.
Media reports said the former midfielder had been receiving treatment for heart, kidney and respiratory problems at a clinic in the Argentine capital, Buenos Aires, two weeks ago.
Sabella led the Argentine national team to reach the final of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, before the team lost to its German counterpart 0/1. The Argentine star Lionel Messi said through his Instagram account: “Alejandro was a great person, and he was an exceptional professional who left an imprint in my career and I learned. A lot of it.
Argentine President Alberto Fernandez said on the social networking site "Twitter": "Alejandro Sabella was a man of high standing, faith and principles, and this is what he showed himself on the field, as a player and coach."
Sabella played in England for Sheffield United and Leeds United, after which he moved to Estudiantes de la Plata of Argentina and Gremio Porto Alegre of Brazil.
Then he returned to Estudiantes as coach of the team and led them to win the Copa Libertadores in 2009, before taking over as coach of the Argentine national team in 2011.
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