25 Facts About Hugo Sotil

Hugo Alejandro Sotil Yeren was a Peruvian professional footballer.

Hugo Sotil was a popular player in Peru, and a biopic on his life was released in that decade.

Hugo Sotil was a member of the Peru national team that won the 1975 Copa America and reached the quarterfinals in Mexico 1970 and Argentina 1978.

Hugo Sotil became the first Latin American player to wear the "10" for FC Barcelona.

Hugo Sotil was international with the Peruvian team, with which he played two editions of the FIFA World Cup: those of 1970 and 1978, where he reached the quarterfinals in both World Cups.

Hugo Sotil has been one of the most popular athletes in his country, to the point that in 1972, he starred in a film directed by Bernardo Batievsky entitled Cholo.

In 1968, Hugo Sotil made his debut at the professional level for Deportivo Municipal in the Peruvian Segunda Division, which he helped to obtain promotion to the Peruvian Primera Division that year.

Hugo Sotil played and scored the opening goal in an all-star match between Europe and South America in 1973 at the Camp Nou in Barcelona.

In 1973, Hugo Sotil moved to FC Barcelona of Spain, where he was teammate of the stars Johan Cruyff, Juan Manuel Asensi and Carles Rexach, among others.

Hugo Sotil was the club's striker, holding the number ten shirt.

Hugo Sotil stayed with Barcelona for three seasons, played 111 games, and scored 33 goals.

In 1977, Hugo Sotil returned to Peru and played for Alianza Lima.

Hugo Sotil had a brief resurgence in form that lasted for two seasons, showing that, although he had lost some of his pace, he retained his skills.

Hugo Sotil helped the team to win the 1977 and 1978 titles leaving a trail of 23 goals in 48 matches and a good 1978 Copa Libertadores.

In 1979, Hugo Sotil went to Colombia, where he did not perform well.

Constantly in and out of the lineup and only able to score 8 goals in 33 matches Hugo Sotil considered retiring from playing.

Hugo Sotil made a total of 62 appearances for Peru between 1970 and 1978, scoring 18 goals.

Hugo Sotil is much remembered for his assists, as he helped teammate Teofilo Cubillas to capture the Bronze Boot.

Hugo Sotil won the 1975 Copa America, playing only in the final game since his club did not allow him to travel often.

Hugo Sotil arrived in Caracas, where the final was played, and he went immediately from the airport to the stadium, arriving when all his teammates were warming up.

In that game, against Colombia, Hugo Sotil scored the only goal, giving Peru its second title as South American champions.

At the 1978 FIFA World Cup Hugo Sotil appeared in two out of three group stage matches.

Hugo Sotil played as attacking midfielder and was a great assistant of football, due to the large number of goal passes he offered to his teammates.

Hugo Sotil became famous for his great passing qualities and excellent dribbling, but allegedly various personal problems curtailed his playing career.

On 20 December 2024, Hugo Sotil was hospitalized in Lima under intensive care after experiencing septic shock due to multiple organ failure.