ALEJANDRO SABELLA
(1954-2020)
Sabella was the mastermind behind Argentina coming within minutes of a penalty shoot-out against Germany in the 2014 World Cup final. Once the disappointment of Mario Gotze’s late goal subsided, Sabella and his players returned home as heroes.
Sabella was already a legend in the city of La Plata. With a midfield marshalled by Juan Sebastian Veron, Sabella led Estudiantes to the 2009 Copa Libertadores, the club’s fourth, before losing in the Club World Cup final to Barcelona thanks to a late Leo Messi goal. The showdown between European and South American sides is rarely so closely contested.
Sabella made his professional debut at River Plate as a classy playmaker in the 1970s, before becoming one of the first Argentines to play in England. Sheffield United had travelled to Argentina to sign Diego Maradona, but were put off by the price. Sabella joined instead, and played for the Blades and Leeds United.
Revered by his former players, news broke that Sabella had been rushed to hospital the day Argentines lined the streets to mourn Diego Maradona.
With the passing of both Maradona and Sabella, Argentines mourn two very different men who were largely responsible for the national team’s greatest success – and joy – in recent decades.