Argentina loss couldn’t defame Tabarez’s legacy at Uruguay
La Celeste was beaten 1-0 by Lionel Messi's Argentina in their Copa America opener as it continued Uruguay’s goalless drought. Tabarez’s men have not scored this calendar year amid a four-game winless streak.
The Uruguayans
haven’t achieved a victory over their bitter rivals since 2013 while Argentina are undefeated in five games against Uruguay at the Copa America.
Despite all that,
Oscar Tabarez
's legend continues to grow as he is still serving the football-mad nation despite battling an ailment since 2006. Tabarez’s inspirational story is not only legendary but is about human endeavor, a hero with an unwavering belief.
His Guillain-Barre syndrome, which is a rapid-onset muscle weakness caused by the immune system damaging the peripheral nervous system, could not stop the 74-year-old from continuing his second stint as the Uruguay boss.
Responsible for resurrecting Uruguay, Tabarez still celebrates goals like he used to do when he lifted Copa America in 2011, even as an elderly man with a stick, struggling to walk.
"I am not living with any pain. This neuropathy sometimes causes me problems, especially to walk. But since this is a chronic illness, sometimes I am a little better," Tabarez previously said, having been expected to resign in 2016 following the diagnosis.
Under his reign, Uruguay have reached three Copa America quarter-finals, finishing fourth in 2007, he also guided Uruguay to their 15th CONMEBOL crown in 2011, their first Copa America trophy since 1995.
Tabarez's team also stole the show in the 2010 World Cup with their spectacular run to the semi-finals. A last-16 berth and quarter-final appearance followed in 2014 and 2018.
"What the Teacher achieved in this time is very big because he started totally from scratch," Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera said previously. "He has created everything we achieved and what is yet to come. If Uruguay is this respected worldwide it is because he made it."
Uruguay will face next Chile Tuesday before Copa America Group B clashes with Bolivia and Paraguay.
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