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Omar 'Papúa' Souto, Longtime AFA Selections Chief Who Helped Secure Messi, Dies at 73

The AFA announced three days of mourning with a minute of silence before matches.

Overview

  • Omar Souto’s death at age 73 was confirmed by the Argentine Football Association, which praised his decades of service to the national teams.
  • Souto spent about 30 years working across Argentina’s youth and senior setups, ultimately serving as Gerente de Selecciones.
  • He played a key role in ensuring Lionel Messi committed to Argentina by contacting the family early and facilitating initial call-ups to forestall Spain.
  • Despite illness in recent years, he remained active at the Ezeiza training complex and stayed close to the current coaching staff and players.
  • AFA president Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia posted a public tribute, and the association had honored Souto at its October assembly.