Miguelo has left us: the mastermind behind Boca’s recent moments of joy | OneFootball

It's not one of those notes one likes to write, but unfortunately, we must communicate that Boca's coach, Miguel Ángel Russo, passed away on the afternoon of this sad October 8, 2025.

There aren't enough characters or words to describe the affection with which Miguelo will be remembered, nor the pain caused by the Xeneize losing one of the best people who represented it. And in what a way he did it, as he was the architect of the last great smiles the fans have had.

He arrived for the first time in a tough context, after the departure of Alfio Basile and the subsequent debacle of Ricardo La Volpe, who let slip the chance to give the club its first local three-peat. But if there was something Russo liked, it was challenges.

Russo with the 2007 Libertadores.

With an extraordinary Juan Román Riquelme, he led Boca to conquer its sixth Copa Libertadores de América in 2007, defeating Gremio of Porto Alegre both in Buenos Aires and Brazil. A 5 to 0, a shout of joy heard across the continent, and the eternal step into the prestigious group of coaches who made the blue and gold team win this trophy.

Unfortunately, he couldn't succeed in the 2007 Club World Cup and after much uncertainty, he left, although always with the mindset of seeking revenge. That was another thing that characterized him, beyond his unforgettable smile or short but assertive phrases, Miguel was kept alive by competing and always seeking, even when everything seemed adverse.

He went through several clubs and in between, a terrible illness that he cured with the love everyone gave him, as wherever he went, he was loved. Never a word too many nor an unfortunate comment, Russo not only healed with love, he was love too, because few can say they were farewelled by all of Argentine football, even by the fiercest rivals of the clubs he played or coached, like River, Newell's, or Gimnasia.

Miguelo.

And at the end of 2019, after winning the first battle in the health field and with the arrival of a new board, he was chosen again to sit on the bench. The dream of everyone was to become champions of America again, unfortunately, it wasn't possible, but that doesn't mean he didn't leave an indelible mark.

By the 16th matchday, after a first round with Gustavo Alfaro, Russo's Boca was third and the leader was River. Matches went by and the Xeneize kept winning, but so did the Millonarios. There were three points of advantage until the penultimate matchday, where a draw left us one point behind and everything was to be decided at home.

On one side, at La Bombonera, Miguel's team received Diego Armando Maradona's Gimnasia. On the other, the rivals visited Tucumán to face Atlético. Carlos Tevez's goal was a shout heard across the country, while from northern Argentina came the news of a 1 to 1 and with the victory at home, we snatched the tournament from them.

Miguelo's last title.

He won the Copa de la Liga later, but nothing can equal what Boca fans felt in March 2020, the joy of taking happiness from the lifelong rival and bringing it to Brandsen 805. There were several luxuries people indulged in that day: the hug between Tevez and Maradona, Diego's gestures, and, of course, Miguel's smile.

That smile that seemed nothing and no one could erase from his face, has gone out forever. With deep sorrow, we bid him farewell in the physical realm but will always have him in our memory, in our hearts, and every time Boca plays.

Keep reading

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This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.