Hugo Sotil

Deportivo Municipal

In 1968, Sotil made his debut at the professional level for Deportivo Municipal in the Peruvian Segunda División, which he helped to obtain promotion to the Peruvian Primera División that year. Sotil also played and scored the opening goal in an all-star match between Europe and South America in 1973 at the Camp Nou in Barcelona. Football greats such as Johan Cruyff, Franz Beckenbauer, Rivellino and Teófilo Cubillas took part in that game. The game finished 4–4 and in penalty kicks, South America won 7–6.

Barcelona

In 1973, Sotil moved to FC Barcelona of Spain, where he was teammate of the stars Johan Cruyff, Juan Manuel Asensi and Carles Rexach, among others. He was the club's striker, holding the number ten shirt. He made his debut for Barça on 22 August, winning the Joan Gamper Trophy after beating Borussia Mönchengladbach 4–2 in penalties (2–2 in normal time), with Sotil scoring the opening goal. In the 1973–74 season, Barcelona won the Spanish Primera División after 14 trophyless seasons. Sotil was part of the team which demolished Real Madrid 5–0 in the Spanish League game played at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, where he scored the fifth goal. On 21 August 1974, Sotil won his second Joan Gamper Trophy after a 4–1 victory against Rangers. By then, he was one of the Spanish League's most recognized players Barcelona's hiring of Dutchman Johan Neeskens, who took a foreigner slot, resulted in his relegation from the first team in the…

Summary

Sotil made his debut for the Peru national team on 4 February 1970, in a friendly game against Bulgaria at Lima, he scored a hat-trick for Peru in a 5–3 win. He made a total of 62 appearances for Peru between 1970 and 1978, scoring 18 goals.

1970 FIFA World Cup: Quarter Finals

Sotil was part of the Peru national team in the 1970 World Cup in Mexico and although he was used most often as a substitute in the tournament, he was still able to play in a 3–2 win against Bulgaria, a 3–0 win against Morocco and a 3–1 loss to West Germany. He was also in the quarterfinal loss against eventual champions Brazil by 4–2. Sotil is also much remembered for his assists, as he helped teammate Teófilo Cubillas to capture the Bronze Boot.

Copa America 1975: Champion

Sotil won the 1975 Copa América, playing only in the final game since his club did not allow him to travel often. 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, Sotil scored the only goal, giving Peru its second title as South American champions.

1978 FIFA World Cup: Second Round

Peru finished first in the South American qualifying subgroup for the 1978 FIFA World Cup qualification after draws with Ecuador, 1–1, and Chile, 1–1, in the first leg and wins by 4–0 against Ecuador a victory against Chile 2–0 in the second leg, with Sotil scoring one…

Barcelona

Spanish Primera División: 1973–74; runner-up 1975–76 Joan Gamper Trophy: 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976 Copa del Rey runner-up: 1973–74 Alianza Lima

Peruvian Primera División: 1977, 1978 Metropolitan Championship: 1978 Deportivo Municipal

Peruvian Segunda División: 1968 Peruvian Primera División runner-up: 1981 Los Espartanos

Copa Perú: 1984 Peru

Copa América: 1975 Individual

Peruvian Footballer of the Year: 1973 CONMEBOL XI All-Star Team: 1973 Peruvian Footballer of the Year: 1974 Named one of the Great Stars of the World Cup History: 2006 Peruvian Segunda División top goalscorer (14 goals): 1968