Yesterday, the world bid farewell to one of the greatest sports fans ever to exist. At the age of 83, Argentina’s famous football fan Carlos Pascual, also known as ‘El Tula,’ passed away after he succumbed to his recent health complications. ‘El Tula’ was hospitalized a few days ago and was put in a medically induced coma as a result of his health complications. The late fan left a legacy behind as he was known as Argentina’s most famous football fan.
🙏🏻 Falleció Tula, el hincha que estuvo en todos los Mundiales junto a la Selección Argentina desde 1974 hasta Qatar 2022.
— Sudanalytics (@sudanalytics_) February 7, 2024
Triste noticia. 💔🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/XWWWRsJl3J
Born in Rosario, Argentina, in 1941, Pascual’s love for his nation’s football team dates back to his childhood. ‘El Tula’ cheered on the Argentinian football team for numerous years as he attended his first FIFA World Cup tournament in 1974, where he supported Argentina’s national team as they competed for the prestigious title in Germany.
Since his first World Cup tournament, Pascual had attended the prestigious competition every four years for the remainder of his life. His final World Cup appearance was in 2022 when Argentina competed in Qatar, marking 13 World Cups for Argentina’s greatest fan.
On February 27, 2023, ‘El Tula’ flew to Paris, France, to represent the Argentina supporters in FIFA’s The Best awards ceremony. Argentina’s national football team won four out of all four possible trophies as Lionel Messi won the Best FIFA Player, Lionel Scaloni won the Best FIFA Men’s Coach of the Year, and Emiliano Dibu Martínez won the Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year award.
Argentina topped off their fourth FIFA’s The Best award when Pascual went on stage to represent and claim the FIFA Best Fans award for his home country. ‘El Tula’ sported his Argentina Football jersey and trademark drum as he banged it to the famous chant of “Vamos, Vamos Argentina.”
El día que recibió el premio The Best a la mejor hinchada. QUE EN PAZ DESCANSES, TULA 💔 pic.twitter.com/duW8GnFlaV
— TyC Sports (@TyCSports) February 7, 2024
Pascual was the most devoted fan as the late legend often did not have the financial means or physical capabilities, as he was in a wheelchair, to attend Argentina’s World Cup matches. Still, the devoted fan persevered and found ways to cheer on his beloved team despite the hurdles he constantly faced.
The football world lost a great and genuine fan, but ‘El Tula’s’ legacy will live on through his beloved team and fellow Argentina supporters. ‘El Tula’ illustrated that sports have no physical boundaries, no matter how devoted and far a fan is.
