Why was there a minute’s silence before the match between Argentina and Venezuela?

The Argentina men’s soccer team will take on Venezuela in an international friendly match at Chase Stadium in Miami, Florida, on Saturday.

Captain and star player Lionel Messi was rested for the match, while Real Madrid youngster Franco Mastantuono missed the match due to a thigh injury.

La Albiceleste have already qualified for the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States, and face their South American neighbors before facing Puerto Rico on Monday.

Why was there a minute’s silence before Argentina versus Venezuela?

Players from both Argentina and Venezuela lined up around the center circle before kick-off to pay their respects to Argentina international and former player Miguel Angel Russo, who passed away on October 8 at the age of 69.

As a player he was a ‘One Club Man’ for Estudiantes de La Plata.

Russo died while coaching Boca Juniors, although his last match in charge was on September 10, 2025 against Rosario Central, a club where he had five spells as manager. The coach, who started his third term at the club in June this year, was in charge of the side during this year’s FIFA Club World Cup.

He played 17 times for Argentina and was part of the team during the 1986 World Cup qualifiers. However, injuries kept him out of the tournament in Mexico, in which the country won its second star.

Published on October 11, 2025