On December 8, 2020, the life of Alejandro Sabella. His name went down in history because he led the Argentine national team to the World Cup final again after almost three decades. The anniversary of Alejandro Sabella’s passing at the age of 66 after complications from heart disease, aggravated by a hospital-acquired infection, is not only the memory of a loss, but also the Commemorating a legacy that goes beyond sporting results.
Known by his nickname, Pachorrahis figure was cemented as that of a humble man with remarkable tactical intelligence and a deep educational calling. His death, which came ten days after that of Diego Maradona, shocked international football.who recognized him as an excellent trainer and a symbol of sobriety among the elite. The Argentine Football Association (AFA) and the South American Football Association (CONMEBOL) have kept his memory alive and highlighted the influence of his behavior and values on continental sport.
Sabella’s first big chapter as head coach was written Students of La Platathe club that shaped his life. He took over in 2009 and quickly led the team to win the Copa Libertadores de América, the fourth in the institution’s history. With this performance, he demonstrated his ability to instill a sense of belonging and strategic discipline, which reached its peak when they played Pep Guardiola and Lionel Messi’s FC Barcelona in the Club World Cup final. Although they failed in extra time, it was a worthy performance Click Against one of the best teams in history, he consolidated his tactical prestige and laid the foundation for a project that would also lead him to victory at the 2010 Apertura tournament.
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The footballer Alejandro Sabella, retired, stood in front of the board exquisite left clutch. His playing career began in River Platewhere he stood out despite being in the shadow of his idol Norberto Alonso. However, his character and talent led him to an important international career in football. England. In 1978 he was transferred to Sheffield United in the third division and became one of the first Argentinians in this country, a trailblazer who triumphed with skill and elegance. He later moved to Leeds United in the First Division. His influence at Sheffield was so lasting that in 2000 he was voted by the club as one of the greatest footballers of the century, a testament to his global presence.
Pachorra and the silent revolution of dignity
His return to Argentina in the 1980s found him in Estudiantes under the tutelage of Carlos Salvador Bilardowhose ardent apprentice he considered himself. This phase was crucial in shaping his playing philosophy, which was based on solidarity, commitment and tactical intelligence. By accepting it as Technical director of the Argentine national team in 2011After the defeat in the Copa América at home, Sabella set about rebuilding not only the team, but also the spirit. The focus was on uniting national values and symbols to make players feel like worthy representatives of Argentina’s 40 million people. In one of his conferences, he cited Manuel Belgrano as an example of humility and selflessness, combining the sporting epic with the civic epic.
This humanistic and pedagogical approach transformed group dynamics and produced tangible results. Under his command, the Albiceleste national team secured first place in the South American qualifiers and, more importantly, reached the final Brazil World Cup 2014a milestone the team had not achieved since the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. Sabella knew how to strengthen a team with individual talents like Lionel Messi by surrounding them with a solid tactical structure and a non-negotiable collective commitment. His last game as coach was the final at the Maracana, where Argentina lost to Germany in extra time.
Despite narrowly missing out on the title, second place was a return to global competitiveness. His former managers, such as defender Marcos Rojo and captain Lionel Messi, have recalled in various tributes the influence he had on their careers, highlighting not only his technical wisdom but also his human qualities and his gift for training people. Sabella’s maxim was the search for Be “better people,” be “better players.”a lesson that left an indelible mark on the team’s locker room and is now remembered on each anniversary of his departure.
Sabella’s impact on society was also clearly visible off the field. During the tragedy Floods in La Plata in 2013The trainer stopped his activities and opened the doors of his house in the Tolosa district to welcome the victims. Even, his neighbors say, he devoted himself to cooking and distributing food to those who had lost everything. This attitude of profound generosity and civic engagement cemented his image as a model citizen, earning him the award Famous citizen of La Plata in 2012. This humanitarian aspect is an integral part of his legacy and a reminder that the role of a technical director can have a significant impact on his community.
Five years after his death, the commemorations continue, especially in Estudiantes and the city of La Plata, where a street next to the stadium bears his name. His vision of coaching, which prioritized team play and dignity over individualism, remains a beacon for coaches and sports analysts. The sentence “I would rather win than play well, but if we play well I have a much better chance of winning.” sums up his ideology, celebrated every year as a testament to a man who, beyond the trophy, left his impeccable behavior as a legacy.
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