Barcelona SC mourns Roberto César Prieto, beloved club figure

Roberto César Prieto, widely known as ‘El Cholo’, has passed away at the age of 73. Although he never held an official position or contract with the Ecuadorian football club Barcelona SC, he was a beloved figure within the organization for approximately 37 years.

Prieto originally worked with water tankers before being introduced to the club's training sessions in the 1990s. He initially served as a car washer and caretaker at the club's facilities, eventually becoming an integral part of the ‘yellow family’.

Players and staff members, including Damián Díaz, Michael Arroyo, and Byron Castillo, shared close personal bonds with him, often providing him with clothing, money, and other support. His death has been met with mourning from the players, former players, and directors of the club.