With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of Humberto Maschio, a champion of Argentine football and a key player for our national team. Those who leave a mark are never forgotten… You will always be in our hearts, dear Bocha! Sadly, after Sivori and Angelillo, we have also lost the third “Angel with a Dirty Face.” This heartfelt message came from Racing Club in Avellaneda, the city where Humberto was born 91 years ago and where he first showcased his exceptional talent that quickly earned him a spot on the national team.
Between 1954 and 1957, Maschio played thrilling matches for the Argentina national team alongside Angelillo and Sivori, forming a legendary attacking trio. It was Maschio who stood out as the star during the Copa America triumph, finishing as the tournament’s top scorer with nine goals. They were known as “los angeles de la cara sucia” because they often left the pitch covered in mud, embodying the spirit of divine fighters.
Racing was the club where he started and later celebrated immense success, including the Copa Libertadores and the Intercontinental Cup in 1967. However, a significant portion of his career was spent in Italy, the homeland of his relatives that allowed him to wear the blue jersey during the unfortunate 1962 World Cup, where he suffered a broken nose in a fierce match against Chile. This marked his second and final appearance in the World Cup.
Bologna brought him to Italy in the summer of 1957, following Argentina’s Copa America win. Alongside his friends who also moved to Italy, Angelillo joined Inter and Sivori went to Juventus. While his two compatriots thrived, Humberto struggled initially. He later reflected, “The tight marking and extreme defenses were bitter surprises; I couldn’t adapt.” Despite his robust physique, he felt uneasy with opponents glued to him. During his time at Bologna, he played 43 matches and scored 13 goals, falling short of expectations.
Maschio experienced a crucial turning point at Atalanta, where he spent three years. Coach Ferruccio Valcareggi transformed his role from a center forward to an attacking midfielder, allowing him to face the goal more effectively. Atalanta honored him warmly as one of the most significant foreigners in the club’s history, recording 80 appearances and 22 goals over three seasons.
Inter, led by Angelo Moratti, later brought him to Milan, but Maschio found himself sidelined under coach Helenio Herrera, who did not initially favor him. “The Wizard didn’t like him much because he had a different approach to football,” noted journalist Gianni Brera. Herrera opted for the youthful dynamism of Sandrino Mazzola instead. Maschio, feeling dejected, remained on the fringes but still celebrated the 1963 Scudetto thanks to his four goals in 15 matches.
After that season, he accepted an offer from Fiorentina, where he spent three years winning the Coppa Italia and the Mitropa Cup, scoring 12 goals in 52 games as a midfielder. Fiorentina also paid tribute to him, celebrating his time with the club. Maschio then returned to Argentina to finish his career with Racing, culminating in glory as he helped secure the Libertadores title in 1967, achieving 120 appearances and 22 goals in two and a half years.
After retiring in 1968, he was quickly called up by the national team, but his coaching tenure lasted only a year. By 1971, he was back on the bench at Racing, and the following year, he took charge of the Costa Rica national team. He soon returned to Independiente, where he gifted the club the prestigious Copa Libertadores in 1973, marking the peak of his coaching career and introducing the legendary Bochini.
Maschio ultimately returned to his beloved club Racing, completing his managerial career in the 1999-2000 season. Now, Humberto has joined his close friends Valentin and Omar; while the three may no longer have dirty faces, they will forever be angels in our memories.
