Play-by-play announcer Paco Villa, a fixture on Televisa and Univision’s soccer broadcasts, has passed away at 54 after a two-year battle with cancer.
Villa’s passing was announced on Wednesday, with memories and condolences flooding social media.
“Thank you for every transmission. Thanks for all your stories. But above all, thanks to you, for all the emotions you transmitted to us,” read a post from TUDN USA’s account on X.
“For your friendship, your affection and your passion. You are our legend, we will always love you.”
Gracias @Paco_Villa_ te vamos a extrañar siempre 🤍
Descansa en paz 🕊️ pic.twitter.com/UFYSDr4VJ4
— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) May 1, 2024
“Your voice will forever be part of the history of our football,” added the official account of the Mexican Football Federation. “Thank you for the emotions you transmitted to us with your memorable stories. Rest in peace, Paco.”
MLS added a statement calling Villa “a great person,” adding that “all of us who had the honor of working and sharing with him during the years he called MLS games for TUDN will never forget his kindness, talent and friendship.”
Lamentamos profundamente el fallecimiento del narrador y analista de TUDN Paco Villa.
En nombre de Major League Soccer, expresamos nuestras condolencias a sus familiares y amigos.
Descanse en Paz. pic.twitter.com/aUKtwv3gbh
— MLS Communications (@MLS_PR) May 1, 2024
Villa began his work as a radio announcer with Televisa in 1995, focusing first on Mexican league matches.
Over the years, Villa added the UEFA Champions League, the Olympics, La Liga, MLS, and seven men’s World Cups to his resume. Univision reported that Villa’s cancer was discovered by doctors in Doha during the 2022 World Cup, where he was on site as part of the network’s coverage.
Descansa en paz @Paco_Villa_
Siempre en nuestros corazones pic.twitter.com/ZLh9OFmqFr
— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) May 1, 2024
