Murió ruben Rada, admirer of Palermo
On Wednesday 26 August 2026 the music world mourned the loss of Rubén Rada, the 83‑year‑old Uruguayan legend whose love for Peñarol and admiration for football icons Palermo, Maradona, Gatica and Monzón stood alongside a lifelong dream of playing the sport himself.
A football dream left behind
Rubén Rada was born in 1943 and became a clear representative of rioplatense music on stages across both sides of the Río de la Plata, even appearing in television cycles. His original plan, however, was to become a professional footballer. At four years old he contracted tuberculosis and spent two years in a hospital 20 kilometres from Montevideo.
He returned to the sport at 15, but a medical examination revealed a spot on his lung, prompting him to abandon the dream. In a 2018 interview he said, “The music was my plan B. For more than 20 years I lived near Estadio Centenario and, as nobody knew me, I walked to watch Nacional, Defensor, Rampla or Cerro, happy just to eat a chorizo in any stadium.” He was often affectionately called El Negro.
In 2021 he recalled a photo with Diego Maradona, saying he was moved to tears by the Argentine legend’s death and that he admired not only Diego but also artists such as Picasso and Dalí. He described Maradona as “a very affectionate type who saw you, hugged you, an incredible friend.”
A vibrant musical legacy cut short
Just weeks before his death the 83‑year‑old was fully active, having launched a new musical cycle titled “¿Quién va a cantar?” that brings together artists of different genres and streams on YouTube. He also had two shows planned for October with the emblematic band Totem.
Earlier that month the artist was admitted to hospital with a complex health condition that worsened in the final hours, leading to his death on Wednesday 26 August 2026. The announcement was accompanied by a photo credit reading “Foto: Guillermo Rodríguez Adami.”
Rada’s lifelong love for Peñarol and his admiration for football icons such as Palermo, Maradona, Gatica and Monzón remained a constant thread through his musical journey, underscoring how his unfulfilled football dream lived on in his art. His passing leaves a void in both the music world and the community of sport‑loving fans.