Argentine football is once again in mourning. The death of Miguel Ángel Russo, at the age of 69, has left a void that will be difficult to fill at Boca Juniors and throughout the football world. His legacy goes beyond trophies and the teams he coached: he became a symbol of dignity, commitment, and love for the game. Tributes poured in from every corner of the planet, and one of the most heartfelt came from Lionel Messi, who said goodbye to the coach with a message that deeply moved fans.

The final farewell to a legend of the dugout

Boca Juniors opened the doors of La Bombonera to honor their coach. Thousands of fans gathered to bid farewell to “Miguelo,” who led the club to the 2007 Copa Libertadores, a Superliga, the Copa de la Liga, and the Diego Armando Maradona Cup. On the pitch where he had coached so many times, a memorial chapel was set up surrounded by flowers and Boca shirts, while social media was flooded with messages of gratitude.

The blue and gold locker room also expressed its grief. Players like Leandro Paredes, Edinson Cavani, and Ander Herrera attended the wake to pay their final respects to the coach, who had taken medical leave a month earlier due to complications from the prostate and bladder cancer he had been battling since 2017. “Thank you for defending our colors with so much passion,” wrote Paredes. Goalkeeper Agustín Marchesín added: “It was a pleasure, Miguel. Thank you for everything.”

The Argentine Professional Football League decided to postpone the match between Boca Juniors and Barracas Central, while the AFA ordered a minute of silence to be observed in all weekend matches in his memory.

Messi’s message and the world’s tribute

Amid the collective grief, Lionel Messi took to social media to post a brief but heartfelt message: “Rest in peace, Miguel. My deepest condolences to his family, friends, and everyone close to him.” Simple words, yet powerful, from someone who recognized the greatness of the coach and his example of resilience.

Condolences also came from abroad. Real Madrid expressed its sorrow at Russo’s passing and praised his career with clubs such as Estudiantes de La Plata, while FC Barcelona highlighted his time managing teams like Millonarios, Al Nassr, Alianza Lima, and Cerro Porteño.

In total, Russo managed more than a dozen clubs across the Americas and was loved everywhere he went. His life was a lesson in perseverance: he faced illness with courage and never gave up his calling.

Miguel Ángel Russo died true to his nature: loyal to football, with the ball close and his heart still on the pitch. The symbolic embrace of the sports world—from Messi to the humblest fans—confirms what was always clear: Miguel never truly left; his legacy will live on every time a team takes the field with passion and humility.