Hugo Sotil passes away

On Monday 30 December Hugo Sotil passed away. Born in Ica in Peru on 18 May 1949, 'Cholo' as he was known, was considered one of the best South American players of his generation, and was a firm fan favourite at Barça during his time at the club. 

The striker came to Barça for the 1973/74 season from Peruvian club Municipal de Lima. Sotil was a vital part of a team that included legends such as Cruyff, Asensi, Rexach and Marcial. He became a favourite of the Camp Nou crowd who would chant "Cholooo, Cholooo" in his honour. That season, in April 1974, when Barça had finally claimed the league title away at Sporting Gijón, Sotil's phone call to his mother has passed into blaugrana legend, the Peruvian shouting, "Mum, we are champions" down the line from the dressing room. 

The following season the striker had to make way for new signing Johan Neeskens and without a Spanish passport until it was too late, the limit on foreign players kept him on the sidelines. In 1975/76 he returned to action, but his form dipped and in 1977 he returned to Peru, signing for Alianza Lime. 

In May 1984 he returned to Barcelona for a testimonial game at the Miniestadi between the 1974 team and a South America XI. After the game an emotional Sotil said: "Since I left Barça I have been waiting for this moment. I love Barcelona, the friendly people and the love of the fans." 

Decades later in October 2014, Sotil confessed: "The love of the people of Barça is unforgettable. The day I die I hope they bury me in a Barça shirt." As recently as November of this year 'Cholo' was back in the city as part of the 125th Club anniversary celebrations.