Boca Juniors Mourns the Loss of Iconic Manager Miguel Ángel Russo at 69

The football world is grieving the loss of Miguel Ángel Russo, the legendary Boca Juniors manager, who passed away at his Buenos Aires home on Wednesday evening at the age of 69. The Argentine Football Association confirmed his death, attributing it to complications from prostate cancer, diagnosed in 2017, compounded by a recent urinary tract infection. Russo’s health had deteriorated in recent weeks, leading to his absence from the sidelines since late September.

Boca Juniors issued a statement expressing profound sadness, highlighting Russo’s indelible mark on the club through three stints, most notably his 2007 Copa Libertadores triumph. His career also included significant achievements with Vélez Sarsfield, where he won the 1993–94 Clausura, and Millonarios in Colombia, where he secured titles in 2017 despite undergoing chemotherapy. Known for his reserved demeanor and dedication, Russo managed over a dozen clubs across Argentina, Chile, Mexico, Spain, and the Middle East.

The club noted his last match attendance was on September 21, a 2-2 draw against Central Cordoba, after which his assistant, Claudio Ubeda, took over. Tributes from the Argentine Football Association and rival River Plate underscore Russo’s lasting legacy in the sport.