José Luis Caballero , ex-footballer who represented Mexico at the Olympic Games in Montreal 1976, passed away at 65 years of age this Thursday, as reported by the journalist Raúl Sarmiento.
Through his social networks, the former TUDN chronicler reported on the death, but who was José Luis Caballero ?
Mexican football is in mourning again. José Luis Caballero, a great Mexican Olympic midfielder, passed away, along with Rangel, Cosio, Carrillo, Rergis, Hugo Sánchez, etc., a team that made history. RIP
– Raul Sarmiento (@raulsarmiento) January 14, 2021
The former player served as a midfielder in Mexican soccer during the decade of the years 70 and early 80 , period in which he defended the shirts of León, Cruz Azul and Chivas, standing out for his performance to such a degree that he was summoned to the team that represented Mexico in the Olympic Games of 1976.
In said tournament, played alongside figures such as Hugo Sánchez, Héctor Tapia and Mario Carrillo , but despite the names, the team was eliminated in the first round of the competition, after falling to France, 4-1, and drawing with Israel (2-2) and Guatemala (1-1 ).
Before that, Caballero got the gold medal at the Pan American Games in Mexico 1975 , disputed in Mexico City, Guadalajara, Toluca and Puebla, where Mé xico beat the United States and Trinidad and Tobago in the first round; in the second he won wins against Canada and Costa Rica, as well as a draw against Cuba. In the final they drew 1-1 against Brazil, for which both were awarded the gold medal.
In the MX League he is remembered with affection for the fans of Chivas and Cruz Azul, thanks to their work of sacrifice, since although their position was in the midfield, did not stand out for their qualities in attack, but for their good performance at the time to defend.
🏴⚽️ #LaRED 3.0 | At 65 years old, forward José Luis Caballero Flores 🇲🇽 passed away on Wednesday night.
He played as a professional with Club León, CD Cruz Azul and CD Guadalajara. He was a Mexican Olympian in the JO #Montreal 1976 🇨🇦. pic.twitter.com/a4sJ83 wzUr
– FUTBOLEROS SIN FRONTERAS (@FutbolerosSin) January 14, 2021
At the moment the cause of death has not yet been revealed , it is expected that in the next few hours the relatives or the authorities will give more details.
Caballero’s death is added to the deaths, in less than a month, of former footballers Armando Romero and Benedicto Bravo , who lost their lives in the past 24 and 25 of December, respectively. In these last two cases the cause was COVID – 19.
