Rosario Central paid an emotional visit to former coach Edgardo “Patón” Bauza in Quito ahead of its Copa Libertadores match this Wednesday against Independiente del Valle. The delegation included Ángel Di María, Marco Ruben, Jorge Broun and Jeremías Ledesma, along with club president Gonzalo Belloso and vice president Carolina Cristinziano. They brought Bauza shirts, a commemorative plaque and the Copa Argentina trophy he won with the team in 2018.
The club shared the moment on its official X account, describing the visit as a special reunion after arriving in Ecuador and thanking Bauza and his family for welcoming them into their home. Rosario Central highlighted the affection and respect it still feels for the former coach, who left a lasting mark on the institution both as a manager and as a player.
Bauza is one of the most important figures in Rosario Central’s modern history. As a player, he was part of championship-winning sides that captured the 1980 Nacional and the 1986/87 Primera División titles. As a coach, he led the club to one of its most memorable recent achievements by winning the 2018 Copa Argentina.
Now 68, Bauza lives in Ecuador under the care of his family and remains away from public life and media attention. In 2021, he was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, a condition that has progressively affected his memory and communication. The visit by Rosario Central served as a tribute to a beloved figure whose contribution to the club has remained deeply appreciated by fans and members alike.
