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Among the thundering ‘vamos’ chants from supporters when La Albiceleste took the field, one person stood out; Carlos Tula Pascal, wielding his iconic drum. On behalf of his entire country, he accepted the 2022 FIFA Best Fan Award. Sadly, Carlos Tula passed away just hours ago, at the age of 83. As the word spreads of his death, soccer fans are rushing to pay tribute to ‘Player Number 12’, the beloved backbone of the Argentina fanbase.

Born on September 11, 1940, he attended every single FIFA World Cup since Germany 1974- 13 editions to be exact. “I am part of World Cup history,” he said while accepting the honor by FIFA with his bombo leguero. Interestingly, the musical instrument that he always carried around was a gift from former President Juan Domingo Perón. Tula received it after traveling across the Atlantic as a 3rd-class passenger in 1971 to see him in Spain. 

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Tula never revealed how he used to pay for all the trip expenses to watch La Albiceleste. While insisting that no politician or association has ever paid for his travel expenditures, he used to say, “I have friends with money who invite me.” He was in a wheelchair, but despite such challenges, he used to always say, “There’s always someone to give me a hand.”

The 83-year-old spent the final moments of his life fighting a terminal illness that put him in an induced coma in the Trinidad Miter Sanatorium. Nonetheless, his everlasting love for Argentina will never die. Many touching comments were posted in remembrance of Carlos Tula.

The soccer world mourns the loss of the greatest Argentina fan!

Soccer fans who knew Carlos Tula are devastated by his death. Netizens around the world are expressing their remorse as they won’t witness El Tula with his legendary drum in future World Cups.  

For fans, he is no less than a legend!

A cherished memory that Tula will carry with him is witnessing Argentina lift their third WC trophy and Lionel Messi finally becoming a World Champion too.

El Tula won’t be forgotten, as he successfully etched his name in the history books.

A fan account deemed the news of his death ‘miserable‘ while praising his fan contributions as ‘genuinely outstanding‘!

Hoping that the passion Tula embodied will inspire the next generation to keep the tradition alive.

READ MORE: “Rest in Peace” – Millions Join Christian Pulisic’s AC Milan in Mourning Tragic Death of Italy’s Top-Scorer Gigi Riva

The drumming shouldn’t stop Tula, says a fan while remembering him.

Tula must be sharing his experiences with the late Diego Maradona.

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Indeed, it’s a sad day in the soccer history of Argentina. As the country country mourns Tula’s death, one thing is for sure- he’s now resting in peace after finally witnessing Lionel Messi attain glory!

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Rest in peace, Carlos Tula Pascal, and long live the beats from your iconic bombo.

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