ARGENTINA legend Hugo Gatti is being treated in intensive care after contracting pneumonia following hip surgery.
The retired goalkeeper was operated on after injuring himself in a street fall while walking his dog.
GettyArgentina legend Hugo Gatti is being treated in intensive care after contracting pneumonia after hip surgery[/caption]
AlamyHugo won 18 caps for Argentina and traveled to England for the 1966 World Cup[/caption]
The 80-year-old’s surgery initially went well – but a virus he contracted in hospital caused post-op complications.
The aftermath and breathing problems that occurred saw Gatti placed in a high-dependency care unit.
One of his two sons was already in Argentina, but the other had to return to his homeland after being told Gatti was fighting for his life.
The hospital where Gatti is being treated has not been named.
News of his latest health battle comes just less than a year after he lost his wife of more than 50 years, Nacha Nodar.
They married in 1977 and one of the two children they had, Lucas, played as a midfielder for Argentinos Juniors, Dundee, and Badajoz.
Lucas was appointed U23 manager at League Two side Bromley after hanging up his boots in 2022.
The 47-year-old coach now manages Serie D side Olbia in Italy.
Dad Hugo, capped 18 times by his country, was part of the Argentine squad that travelled to England for the 1966 World Cup.
The iconic goalkeeper played for both River Plate and Boca Juniors in Argentina after turning professional with Buenos Aires club Atlanta.
He holds the record for the most appearances in the Argentine league ever, with 765 games played.
He has been described as the first goalkeeper to wear gloves and one of the first to regularly leave his penalty area.
After retiring following 13 years at his last club Boca Juniors he became a controversial TV football pundit.
He bizarrely claimed in 2019 Lionel Messi must quit Barcelona and join Real Madrid to prove he was truly the greatest of all time.
He told El Chiringuito TV in Spain: “It seems as if I am anti-Argentine, but until Messi plays in the big games, he will continue to be a player of home games.
“He has to have balls to go to Madrid and prove everything there like Cristiano. Otherwise he will be just one more.
“Cristiano went to the best club in the world. Messi plays at home, on his pitch with everything that comes with that.
“Let him play in the Champions League and the World Cup, otherwise he will always be one more.
“When he plays there, he will fight with Johan Cruyff, Diego Maradona and Pele.”
Gatti was reportedly ill after contracting Covid in March 2020.
He is nicknamed El Loco or ‘The Madman’ because of his outspoken character and eccentric style of play.
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