Sotil made his professional debut in 1967, standing out with Deportivo Municipal and became one of the most popular players in Peru. In 1973 he gained international fame by signing for FC Barcelona forming a historic attacking duo with the Dutch star Johan Cruyff winning the Spanish Primera División in his first season after 14 years of drought for the Catalan club. He became the first Latin American player to wear the "10" for FC Barcelona. Carrying the number 10 on his back in addition to getting two league runners-up and one in the Copa del Rey after four seasons with the Barça shirt. In 1977 he returned to Peru and became two-time national champion with Alianza Lima in 1977 and 1978.
He was international with the Peruvian team, with which he played two editions of the FIFA World Cup: those of 1970 and 1978, where he reached the quarterfinals in both World Cups. On a continental level, he won the Copa América in 1975, where he scored the only goal of the final match against Colombia, giving the Inca team the title of Champions of America.
Sotil has been one of the most popular athletes in his country, to the point that in 1972, he starred in a film directed by Bernardo Batievsky (his great admirer) entitled Cholo.[5]
Sotil also played and scored the opening goal in an all-star match between Europe and South America in 1973 at the Camp Nou in Barcelona. Football greats such as Johan Cruyff, Franz Beckenbauer, Rivellino and Teófilo Cubillas took part in that game. The game finished 4–4 and in penalty kicks, South America won 7–6.
In the 1973–74 season, Barcelona won the Spanish Primera División after 14 trophyless seasons. Sotil was part of the team which demolished Real Madrid 5–0 in the Spanish League game played at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, where he scored the fifth goal.[7] On 21 August 1974, Sotil won his second Joan Gamper Trophy after a 4–1 victory against Rangers. By then, he was one of the Spanish League's most recognized players
Barcelona's hiring of Dutchman Johan Neeskens, who took a foreigner slot, resulted in his relegation from the first team in the 1974–75 season. Barcelona occupied third place, and Catalan people demanded the return of Sotil to the team first for 1975–76 season.
He stayed with Barcelona for three seasons (1973 to 1976), played 111 games, and scored 33 goals.[8]
Alianza Lima
In 1977, Sotil returned to Peru and played for Alianza Lima. He had a brief resurgence in form that lasted for two seasons, showing that, although he had lost some of his pace, he retained his skills. He helped the team to win the 1977 and 1978 titles leaving a trail of 23 goals in 48 matches and a good 1978 Copa Libertadores.
Independiente Medellín
In 1979, Sotil went to Colombia, where he did not perform well. Constantly in and out of the lineup and only able to score 8 goals in 33 matches Sotil considered retiring from playing.
Second stint at Deportivo Municipal
But Sotil decided he would make one final push going back to Deportivo Municipal and playing there until 1982, and returning briefly to football in 1984, playing for Los Espartanos, a small provincial team.
International career
Summary
Sotil made his debut for the Peru national team on 4 February 1970, in a friendly game against Bulgaria at Lima, he scored a hat-trick for Peru in a 5–3 win. He made a total of 62 appearances for Peru between 1970 and 1978, scoring 18 goals.[9]
1970 FIFA World Cup: Quarter Finals
Sotil was part of the Peru national team in the 1970 World Cup in Mexico and although he was used most often as a substitute in the tournament, he was still able to play in a 3–2 win against Bulgaria, a 3–0 win against Morocco and a 3–1 loss to West Germany. He was also in the quarterfinal loss against eventual champions Brazil by 4–2. Sotil is also much remembered for his assists, as he helped teammate Teófilo Cubillas to capture the Bronze Boot.
Copa America 1975: Champion
Sotil won the 1975 Copa América, playing only in the final game since his club did not allow him to travel often. Sotil arrived in Caracas, where the final was played, and he went immediately from the airport to the stadium, arriving when all his teammates were warming up. In that game, against Colombia, Sotil scored the only goal, giving Peru its second title as South American champions.
At the 1978 FIFA World Cup Sotil appeared in two out of three group stage matches. His first start of the competition was a 3–1 win over Scotland, on 3 June. After a draw with the Netherlands, 0–0, and a win over Iran 4–1, Peru pushed the Netherlands into second place in Group 4. Expectations were high for Peru, however, with three losses, Peru finished at the bottom of their group went out in the second round. Sotil failed to score in the tournament.
Style of play
Sotil was a skilled forward, with great dribbling. He also played as attacking midfielder and was a great assistant of football, due to the large number of goal passes he offered to his teammates.
He became famous for his great passing qualities and excellent dribbling, but allegedly various personal problems curtailed his playing career.[10]
Death
On 20 December 2024, Sotil was hospitalized in Lima under intensive care after experiencing septic shock due to multiple organ failure.[11][12] He died ten days later, on 30 December, from kidney and liver failure. Sotil was 75.[13][14][12]
Career statistics
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
