The Argentine football community is in mourning following the death of Omar Souto, the former national team coach who played a pivotal role in securing Lionel Messi for Argentina. Souto passed away on Sunday at the age of 73.
The Man Who Changed Argentine Football
The Argentine Football Association (AFA) announced Souto's passing with an emotional statement that read: 'With great pain and sadness, the Argentine Football Association announces the death of Omar Souto, historic Technical Director of the Argentine National Teams.'
They added: 'Simply thank you, Omar. Thank you for your solidarity, your unmatched commitment to the albiceleste and for being a true example to follow.'
Souto dedicated over 30 years of his life to working for the AFA, with his contributions receiving recognition just last month during an emotional awards ceremony.
The Messi Connection That Shaped History
Souto's most significant legacy remains his crucial intervention in ensuring Lionel Messi represented Argentina rather than Spain. He is believed to be the first person connected to the Argentine national team to contact Messi when the footballer was still a teenager at FC Barcelona.
In a revealing 2021 interview with TyC Sports, Souto recalled the extraordinary circumstances surrounding his first approach to Messi. 'At the U20 World Cup in Nigeria, we were always with Spain in the hotels, and someone from their coaching staff grabbed us and said: "How did you not bring the kid from Barcelona? He's better than everyone here."'
Despite having talented players like Fernando Cavenaghi, Javier Mascherano and Maxi López in the U20 squad, Souto and Hugo Tocalli recognised they needed to bring Messi into the fold.
Souto's pursuit involved detective work worthy of a football thriller. 'I thought his name was Leonardo because everyone called him Leo,' he explained. 'I went to a phone booth in Monte Grande and asked for a directory of the city of Rosario where all the Messis were.'
His persistence paid off through a series of calls that eventually reached Messi's grandmother, then his uncle, and finally his father. When Souto finally connected with Jorge Messi, the response was overwhelming: 'Finally you're going to call him. My son wants to play for the Argentine National Team.'
A Legacy Remembered
That initial contact paved the way for one of international football's most glorious careers. Messi, now 38, has since played 196 matches for Argentina, scoring 116 goals and achieving the ultimate prizes of the FIFA World Cup and Copa América.
Upon learning of Souto's passing, Messi paid heartfelt tribute to the man who changed his destiny. Sharing a photograph of them together with the 2022 Qatar World Cup trophy, Messi wrote: 'You were always there and you were the person who opened the path for the AFA to notice me.'
He continued: 'An incredible human being, impossible to forget for all of us who had the privilege of being in the National Team. We will never forget you, Omar. Rest in peace.'
Souto's death marks the passing of a football visionary whose determination and foresight helped shape the future of Argentine football, ensuring one of the game's greatest talents would forever wear the iconic blue and white stripes.
