Norberto Longo died today of a heart attack. It is a sad, sad, sad day in the soccer community especially in sportcasting. I will never forget his performance with Cantor in all 64 games of France 98, which were the most enjoyable time watching a sporting event on TV that I've had. I know you americans hated him but at least feel sorry for his family and those of us that were fans of him. Eras un grande y descanse en paz.
Actually, I think a lot of us liked him for the passion he brought to the game. That came through loud and clear, even among those of us who don't speak Spanish. My condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.
Local KVEA affiiated Telemundo ch. 52 is reporting he was die of heart attack yesterday after return to Miami from Argentina. He was great reporter. Miss him RIP Norberto Longo
This is shocking. Absolutely shocking. Norberto's opinions on soccer-- regardless of the language of the medium, and regardless of whether it's MLS, the Mexican league, or whatever, and regardless of whether his opinions were good, bad or indifferent of whatever league or international soccer broadcast he was doing-- will always be cherished and he will definitely be missed. My condolences to his surviving family, and to those who had the pleasure of working with and alongside of him.
One other remembrance of Norberto Longo: I don't think it was so much of a "hate" thing, just a bit indifference towards him, as per MLS and American soccer at times. But Norberto always had an opinion, always stated his opinions strongly and with a great deal of conviction, and that's a reason why a lot of us respected him. Truly a sad day in soccer, and in the broadcast media in general. RIP Norberto Longo.
Norberto Longo story in El Nuevo Herald (Miami Herald Spanish Edition): http://www.miami.com/mld/elnuevo/5673721.htm Norberto Longo "person of the day" story in El Nuevo Herald: http://www.miami.com/mld/elnuevo/news/5673597.htm
condolences Norberto indeed had his best moments during France 98. He was well-suited for that stage. There's something to be said for the soccer poets, and when Norberto was on the big stage, he was among the best in that regard. Many of us disagreed - and please realize that disagreement doesn't imply hatred - with some of his views, but he obviously deserves great credit for his contribution to the growth of soccer in the US over many years.
It's a big loss. Norberto Longo seemed like a genuinely nice person, and his passion for soccer always came through in his broadcasts. He also had a poetic flair and an ability to express his views. He appreciated the artistry of the sport of soccer. His commentary helped encourage that aspect of the game, and that is where soccer's heart is.
Noberto Longo was one of the very, very best soccer commentators in the world. Period. His partnership with Andreas Cantor in WC94 and 98 was classic. Great attitude, great insights, great love of the game. While he made no bones of his low opinion of MLS, I suspect his attitude would change as the league grew better but we'll never know. He stopped doing MLS games too soon and hadn't been around them recently. But that isn't important in the big picture. He was wonderful at his craft and passionate in his approach. My condolences to his family and to his friends everywhere. JIM DOW
Today in Telemundo in the Necaxa vs Atlante game, Cantor never mentioned Longo. Then in halftime Jesse Losada talked about him and looked really emotional. The game continued and no mention. Then as the game endend Cantor was promoting the Titulares and said " Saludos de todos con Norberto Longo incluido" and his voice broke and he looked as if he was going to cry and it looked as if he did started to cry but they endend the broadcast and then you knew that he didn't mention anything because he knew he would have lost it right there if he did. That broke my heart.
I will deeply miss Norberto Longo he brought something special to the game that nobody else did. For that I will miss him.
I used to hate him because I thought he tried to belittle and ridicule MLs during the original Telemundo broadcasts. Then I saw him rip two MFL teams apart during a liga mexicana game for poor play as well and just figured that he demanded the best.
Not this gringo. I may have preferred that he not be so critical of MLS in the early years when he broadcast MLS, but I admired him for his critical comments whenever he saw bad soccer. Good analysts should never be afraid to do this. He could convey SO much meaning with a long pause, followed by a plaintive "POR FAVOR." Requiescat in pace, Norberto.
Today in Titulares it was even sadder. At the end Cantor and Lossada said their impressions of him. An just as they endend Cantor said " Se te extrañara Norberto y te quiero decir que otra vez perdio Chaca " and he started to cry. It was so sad because he and Cantor had that rivalry because Andres was from Boca and Norberto from Chacarita Juniors. Then the next segment they showed the empty seats and then gave clips with the song cuando se va un amigo. Then in the end they showed clips of him saying goodbye on TV programs and that is always sad and eerie (Phil Hartman and Chris Farley with Phil singing goodbye always comes to mind). That was really sad. His "Vamos Andres" prior to a game from Mexico was the best opening for a game. Its a big loss and the end of the best trio on soccer TV.
His passion for the game was infectious. As a fan of South American soccer I didn't always agree with Norberto, but I respected his knowledge and insight. He will truly be missed. Descanse en pas amigo, descanse en pas.
This is what I always remembered him by and I say it everytime I get ready to play as my name is Andrew. Yeah I thought he could have cooled it a little with his belittling of American soccer but you could tell he loved the game and wanted to see it played beautifully. His partnership with Andres Cantor was great.
Actually, it was mentioned before the game, in the pre-game version of Titulares Telemundo, where there was just one anchor and an empty seat where Norberto would have been. Then, Andres came on the air and he was about ready to really lose it emotionally. The two of them were the signature voices of "futbol hispana" and I will definitely miss, "Vamos Andres!" Only one other color person I have ever heard introduced the play-by-play man seconds before the start of play: Bobby Taylor during Flyers broadcasts during their Stanley Cup years introducing the late Gene Hart.
I always thought of Longo and Cantor as being like a comedy team, where Cantor was the funny man and Longo the straight man who provided the perfect contrast -- Cantor, loud and expressive, Longo, cool and calm. The two completed each other very well. I feel sad for Longo, his family, and his long-time partner Andres. I don't know if Andres will be able to work with anyone else with the same type of rhythm, banter, etc. that he did with Norberto. Rest in peace.
Telemundo has this obit for Longo: I think the line about, "prefiero ser sincero a ser simpático," says what we all feel-regardless of how you felt about him; very much like Cossell in that regards. I don't really follow MFL, but the Tri broadcasts will sound and feel very different for sure. The e-mail address is for anyone who wants to send their condolences.
I sometimes found his attitude a bit tiresome, but the broadcasts he and Cantor did will always be my baseline for soccer on spanish language TV. The only pairing that I thought ever came close was Jorge Ramos and Ricardo Mallorca, and even then, I immediately thought of them as playing the roles of Cantor and Longo. He was too big not to leave a void.