Omar, who made sure Leo Messi played for Argentina and not Spain, dies at 73 – Onmanorama

Lionel Messi paid tribute to Omar Souto, a popular manager of the Argentina national teams, who passed away at 73. “You were always present, and you were the person who paved the way for the AFA to spot me,” Messi posted on Instagram.

“A huge human being, impossible to forget for all of us who had the privilege of passing through the National Team. Your imprint stays forever. We will never forget you, Omar. May you rest in peace,” Messi added. He shared a series of photographs with Omar during Argentina’s 2022 World Cup celebrations.

The Argentine Football Association (AFA) expressed their gratitude to Omar. “Simply thank you, Omar. Thank you for your solidarity, your unparalleled commitment to the Albiceleste, and for being a true role model,” the AFA posted.

Omar reportedly played a pivotal role in ensuring that Messi played for Argentina and not Spain after the Europeans pushed to get the young superstar to play for them. Messi had been in Spain since he was about 13. Barcelona’s then first-team director Carles Rexach reportedly gave him his first contract on a napkin.

In an interview with Tyc Sports, Omar once said that he reached out to Messi’s family to convince them.

“… I thought his name was Leonardo because everyone called him Leo. I went to a phone booth in Monte Grande and asked for a guide to the city of Rosario, where all the Messis were,” Omar was quoted by Tyc.

“I called his grandmother, who gave me his uncle’s phone number. When I called him, he gave me his father’s number, and when I called him, he said, ‘Finally, they’re going to call him up. My son wants to play for the Argentine National Team’.” Later, he said Messi had always wanted to play for Argentina.