World Cup-Winning Coach Carlos Bilardo Suffers Irreversible Cognitive Decline

Carlos Salvador Bilardo, the coach who steered Argentina to the 1986 World Cup title, is experiencing an irreversible deterioration in his health caused by Hakim–Adams syndrome, a form of normal-pressure hydrocephalus that leads to progressive cognitive decline. Miguel Ángel Lemme, Bilardo’s longtime aide and close friend, told local radio on 15 July that the 87-year-old former manager "no longer recognises anyone," sometimes confusing his daughter with his wife. Lemme added that while the illness is incurable, the family and medical staff continue to provide constant care. Bilardo, diagnosed in 2017, has largely withdrawn from public life but remains a towering figure in Argentine football history. In addition to lifting the 1986 trophy with Diego Maradona, he guided the national team to the 1990 World Cup final and enjoyed a club career that included Estudiantes de La Plata and Sevilla. His worsening condition has prompted fresh concern and tributes across the sporting community.