Chile National Team

Chilean first superstars were appeared in the early 1940s likes Sergio Livingstone and Raul Toro. Enrique Hormazabal represented the best Chilean footballer in 1950s. In 1962, Chile hosted World Cup final tournament and the team was led by star Leonel Sanchez. The 1970s saw the phenomenon defender Elias Figueroa who is regarded as the best South American defender ever and is only Chilean footballer to have won South American Footballer of the year and regarded as one of the best players in the World during the mid-1970s. In the 1990s, The Du-O forward “Salas-Zamorano” was renowned. The golden era of Chilean football is in mid-2010s when the nation won two Copa Americas led by stars like Alexis Sanchez and Arturo Vidal. To date, there are three Chilean players have ever won Copa America Best Player.


Chile


Location : South America
Copa America Participation :  38 Times
World Cup Participation : 8 Times (1930, 1950, 1962, 1966, 1974, 1982, 1998, 2010)
Achievement :  1962 FIFA World Cup Third Place
2 Times Copa America Winners (2015, 2016)
4 Times Copa America Runner-Up (1955, 1956, 1979, 1987)
Most Caps : Alexis Sanchez  (132 Games)
Top Scorer :  Alexis Sanchez (43 Goals)
The Greatest Player Ever : Elias Figueroa



All-Time Chilean Squad



1. Sergio Livingstone

Date Of Birth :  26 March 1920
Position : Goalkeeper
Height : 176 cm, Caps : 52 Games
Major Club  :  Universidad Catolica
World Cup Participation  :  1950 (3 Games)
Club Honours  : 2 Times Chilean League
International Honours  : None
Individual Achievement : 1941 Copa America Best Player
2 Times Chilean Player of the Year (1941, 1944)
Universidad De Catolica Greatest Player Ever
IFFHS Chile Greatest Goalkeeper Ever
Class : Prince Gold

2. Luis Eyzaguirre

Date Of Birth  :  22 June 1939
Position : Right-Back
Height : 175 cm, Caps : 70 Games
Major Club  :  Universidad De Chile
World Cup Participation : 1962, 1966 (7 Games)
Club Honours : 5 Times Chilean League
International Honours : None
Individual Achievement :  1963 Chilean Player of the Year
Class :  Prince Gold
3. Antonio Arias

Date Of Birth  : 9 October 1944
Position :  Left-Back
Height  : 170 cm, Caps : 32 Games
Major Club  : Union Espanola
World Cup Participation : 1974
Club Honours : 3 Times Chilean League
1975 Copa Libertadores Cup Runner-Up
International Honours : None
Individual Achievement : None
Class :  Prince Bronze

4. Elias Figueroa

Date Of Birth  : 25 October 1946
Height : 183 cm, Position : Center-Back
Major Club  : Penarol, Internacional
Caps  : 47 Games
World Cup Participation : 1966, 1974, 1982 (9 Games)
Club Honours : 2 Times Brazil National Championship
2 Times Uruguay Champion, 2 Times Chile Champion
International Honours : 1979 Copa America Runner-Up
Individual Achievement : 3 Times Uruguayan League Best Player
2 Times Chilean League Best Player
4 Times Brazilian League Best XI
2 Times Brazilian League Best Player (72, 76)
5 Times South American Defender of the Year
3 Times South American Footballer Of The Year (1974, 1975, 1976)
1981 Chilean Sportsman of the Year
1999 IFFHS Chile Player of The Century 
Class :  King Bronze

5. Alberto Quintano

Date Of Birth : 26 April 1946
Position : Center-Back
Height  : 184 cm, Caps : 49 Games
Major Club : Universidad De Chile, Cruz Azul
World Cup Participation  : 1974 (3 Games)
Club Honours : 4 Times Chilean League
3 Times Mexican League
International Honours : 1979 Copa America Runner-Up
Individual Achievement : None
Class : Prince Silver


6. Ruben Marcos

Date Of Birth : 6 December 1942
Position : Box-to-Box Midfielder
Height : 180 cm, Caps : 43 Games
Major Club :  Universidad De Chile
World Cup Participation  : 1966 (3 Games)
Club Honours : 5 Times Chilean League
International Honours  : None
Individual Achievement : 2 Times Chilean Player of the year (1966, 1967)
Class : Prince Silver


7. Enrique Hormazabal

Date Of Birth : 6 January 1931
Position : Right-Winger/Attacking Midfielder
Height : 180 cm
Caps : 47 Games (17 Goals)
Major Club :  Colo-Colo
World Cup Participation : None
Club Honours  : 3 Times Chilean League
International Honours : 2 Times Copa America Runner-Up (1955, 1956)
Individual Achievement : 1955 Copa America Best Player
1956 Copa America Best XI
1958 Chilean Player of the Year
Class : Prince Gold       

8. Leonel Sanchez

Date Of Birth : 25 April 1936   
Height : 174 cm, Position : Left-Winger
Major Club : Universidad De Chile
Caps : 84 Games (23 Goals)
World Cup Participation : 1962, 1966 (9 Games)
Club Honours : 6 Times Chilean League
International Honours : 1962 FIFA World Cup Third Place
Individual Achievement : 1956 Copa America Best XI
1962 FIFA World Cup All-Star Team
3 Times Chilean Player of the Year (1958, 1964, 1965)
1962 FIFA World Cup Top Scorer - Bronze Ball
Universidad De Chile Greatest Player Ever
Class : Prince Gold

9. Marcelo Salas

Date Of Birth : 24 December 1974
Height : 173 cm, Position : Target Striker
Major Club : Universidad De Chile
Caps  : 71 Games (37 Goals)
World Cup Participation : 1998 (4 Games/4 Goals)
Professional Scores Record : 211 Goals/ 453 Games
Club Honours  : 2 Times Chilean League
1 Time Torneo Apertura, 1 Time Torneo Clausura
3 Times Italian Series A, 1 Time Copa Italia
1999 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup
International Honours : None
Individual Achievement : 1997 South American Footballer of The Year
1997 Argentinean League Footballer of The Year
                                                     2 Times South American Team of the Year
                                                     Class : Prince Silver

10. Francisco Valdes

Date Of Birth : 19 March 1943
Position : Attacking Midfielder
Height : 173 cm, Caps : 52 Games
Major Club : Colo-Colo
World Cup Participation : 1966, 1974 (3 Games)
Club Honours : 2 Times Chilean League
1 Time Copa Chile
1973 Copa Libertadores Cup Runner-Up
International Honours : None
Individual Achievement : Chilean League All-Time Top Scorer
1973 Chilean Player of the Year 
Class : Prince Silver

11. Alexis Sanchez


Date Of Birth : 19  December 1988
Position : Left/Right Wing/Deep-lying-Forward
Height : 169 cm, Caps : 131 Games (43 Goals)
Major Club : Udinese, Barcelona
World Cup Participation : 2010, 2014 
Club Honours : 1 Time Chilean Apertura/Clausura
1 Time Argentine Clausura
1 Time Spanish La Liga
1 Time Copa Del Rey, 2 Times FA Cup
2011 FIFA Club World Cup
International Honours : 2015, 2016 Copa America Winner
Individual Achievement : 2016 Copa America Golden Ball
Chile's All-Time Top Scorer
Class : Prince Gold

___________________________________________________

Substitution


Roberto Rojas

Date Of Birth : 8 August 1957
Position : Goalkeeper
Height : 170 cm
Major Club : Colo Colo
Caps : 49 Games
World Cup Participation  : None
Club Honours : 3 Times Chilean League
International Honours  : 1987 Copa America Runner-Up
Individual Achievement : 1987 South American Goalkeeper of the Year
Class : Prince Silver



Jaime Pizarro

Date Of Birth : 2 March 1964
Position : Defensive Holding Midfielder
Height : 175 cm, Caps : 53 Games
Major Club : Colo Colo
World Cup Participation : None
Club Honours : 7 Times Chilean League
5 Times Chilean Cup
1991 Copa Libertadores Cup
International Honours : 1987 Copa America Runner-Up
Individual Achievement : 2 Times Chilean Footballer of The Year
Class : Prince Silver
Arturo Vidal

Date Of Birth : 22 May 1987
Position : Box-to-Box Midfielder
Height : 180 cm, Caps : 115 Games (28 Goals)
Major Club : Leverkusen, Juventus
World Cup Participation : 2010 (4 Games)
Club Honours : 1.5 Times Chilean League
1 Time La Liga, 3 Times Italian Series A
1991 Copa Libertadores Cup
International Honours : 2015 Copa America Winner
Individual Achievement : 1 Time Chilean Footballer of The Year
3 Times Copa America Best XI (2015, 2016, 2019)
Class : Prince Silver

David Pizarro

Date Of Birth : 11 September 1979
Position : Central Holding Midfielder
Height : 170 cm, Caps : 37 Games
Major Club :  Udinese, AS Roma
World Cup Participation  : None
Club Honours : 1 Time Italian Series A
1 Time Copa Italia
International Honours    :   None
Individual Achievement  :   None
Class : Prince Silver





Carlos Caszely

Date Of Birth : 5 July 1950
Height  : 172 cm, Position : Forward
Major Club  : Colo-Colo
Caps : 49  Games (29 Goals)
World Cup Participation : 1974, 1982 (4 Games)
Professional Scores Record : 190 Goals/366 Games
Club Honours  : 5 Times Chilean League
1973 Copa Libertadores Cup Runner-Up
International Honours :  None
Individual Achievement : 3 Times Chilean League Top Scorer
1979 Chilean Player of the Year
1 Time Copa Libertadores Cup Top Scorer
Colo Colo All-Time Top Scorer - Greatest Player Ever
                                                 1979 Copa America Best Player
                                                  Class : Prince Silver

Raul Toro

Date Of Birth : 21 February 1911
Position : Forward
Height : 177 cm
Major Club : Santiago Morning, Santiago Nacional
Caps  : 16 Games (12 Goals)
World Cup Participation :  None
Club Honours : 1 Time Chilean League
3 Times Copa Chile
International Honours  : None
Individual Achievement : 1937 Copa America Top Scorer          
1943 Chilean Player of the Year
Class :  Prince Silver


Ivan Zamorano

Date Of Birth : 18 January 1967
Height : 178 cm, Position : Target Striker
Major Club  : Real Madrid, Inter Milan
Caps : 69 Games (34 Goals)
World Cup Participation : 1998 (4 Games and No Goal)
Professional Scores Record : 302 Goals/ 612 Games
Club Honours  : 1 Time Spanish La Liga, 1 Time Mexican League
1 Time Copa Del Rey, 1998 UEFA Cup
International Honours : None
Individual Achievement : 1 Time Spanish La Liga Top Scorer
2 Times EFE Trophy (1993, 1995)
1998 CONMEBOL FIFA World Cup Qualification Top Scorer
Class : Prince Silver


Manager 


Manuel Pellegrini

Year Of Birth : 16 September 1953
Nation  :  Chile
Major Team :  Villareal, Malaga
Major Achievement : 2 Times Argentine League
1 Time English Premier League
2006 UEFA Champion League Semi-Finalist (Villareal)
Individual Achievement : 4 Times Premier League Manager of the Month
Class  :  Prince Gold




Conclusion of Squad

GK : Sergio Livingstone, Roberto Rojas
DF :  Antonio Arias, Luis Eyzaguirre, Lizardo Garrido, Elias Figueroa (Captain), Alberto Quintano, Ignacio Prieto
MF : Roben Marcos, Arturo Vidal, Jaime Pizarro, David Pizaaro, Francisco Valdes, Jorge Arevena, Leonel Sanchez, Enrique Hormazabal
FW : Alexis Sanchez, Marcelo Salas, Carlos Caszeley, Raul Toro, Ivan Zamorano
Manager : Manuel Pellegrini



Formation XI (4-4-2)




Explanation of Formation

The team strategy is the wingback support to midfield with short-pass.  Livingstone is stand as first choice goalkeeper. Arias and Eyzaguirre are assigned to support the midfield area in purpose to get high percent of ball possession. Figueroa is a director of defensive line as a sweeper. Quintano is his partnership as a stopper. Pizarro is a defensive holding midfielder as a main creator of the team. Valdes is to go attack directly against opponents. Leonel Sanchez and Hormazabal act as a wing-forward to support inside area occasionally. Alexis Sanchez is a second striker would both find the opportunity to score by himself or  support Salas to make scores.


Estadio Nacional Stadium

Opened :  1937 (Newest Renovated In 2010)
City : Santiago
Capacity :  65,127 Seats
Field Dimension : 105x68cm







Statistics


  By Decade
      By Class
        By Club
1920s : 
1930s : 1
1940s : 1.5
1950s : 2
1960s : 5.5
1970s : 4
1980s : 3.5
1990s : 2
2000s : 0.5
2010s : 2

King : -
Queen : 1
Prince : 20

Princess : 1

Colo Colo : 8
Universidad de Chile : 5
Universidad Catolica : 3
Union Espanola : 1
Palestiano : 1

Cobreloa : 1 

Cobresal : 1

Santiago Wanderers : 1

Santiago Morning : 1



The Greatest Chilean Footballers of All-Time

1. Elias Figueroa
2. Alexis Sanchez
3. Leonel Sanchez
4. Enrique Hormazabal
5. Ruben Marcos

38 comments:

  1. Anonymous15/7/14

    I feel like Aturo Vidal at least deserves a place in the reserves here, given his leading role in three successive Serie A titles (including their undefeated season), as well as being the best box to box midfielder since 2010.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I admit I have not watched him play in club level so I have to refer to seasonal rating in dbscalcio.com. He is rated in average level except only his last season at Leverkusen. This profile of rating is also below standardization of player selection in all-time squad.

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  2. Is need Arturo Vidal (box to box), Carlos Reinoso (creative midfielder), the lefty Rubén Marcos (box to box) and Alexis Sanchez. Good Good work.

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  3. Luke Smith18/4/15

    Aturo Vidal absolutely deserves a place (at least) in the reserves. ZonalMarking has placed him in the European team of the year for the past 3 seasons, and for Juventus he dominates the midfield. He has 3 Serie A titles to his name and has been a constant in the side since 2011. Leaving him out is criminal.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think so and let me meet free time to create his profile.

      Delete
  4. Anonymous1/5/15

    I think Humberto Cruz must be in this squad. Pele described him as one of the best markers in his era.

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  5. OK thanks I would have time to and discuss with Chilean historian.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. As I discuss with Chilean, he confirm Poriier and Prieto both are a better central defender and is more deserved to make 22 men-squad.

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  6. Marcelo Salas and Ivan Zamorano after Figueroa are the greatest footballers in the history of Chile 2 Rooms 3rd Zamorano And soon Alexis Sanchez and Vidal

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    Replies
    1. I think Salas is a strong contender for his international country performance. Note that this selection is also taken club performance into account and Salas is known as a highly inconsistent performer.

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    2. Elías Figueroa was the best, however Zamorano and Salas are far from being the seconds. Is important remember to Leonel Sánchez, Enrique Hormazábal, David Arellano, Raúl Toro Julio o Sergio Livingstone. They should be considered ahead of Zamorano and Salas.

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  7. Anonymous16/1/16

    Chile All-Star Team XI (4-3-3):

    GK - 1.Sergio Livingstone, 2.Roberto Rojas, 3-4.Manuel Guerrero and Mario Osbén.
    RDF - 1.Luis Eyzaguirre, 2-3.Manuel Álvarez and Mario Galindo.
    CB - 1.Elías Figueroa, 2.Ulises Poirier, 3-4.Ignacio Prieto and Lizardo Garrido.
    CB - 1.Alberto Quintano, 2.Ascanio Cortés, 3-4.Raúl Sánchez and Fernando Astengo.
    LDF - 1.Antonio Arias, 2.Isaac Carrasco, 3-4.Próspero González and Héctor Puebla.
    MF - 1.Arturo Vidal, 2-3.Jorge Toro and Francisco Valdés.
    AMF - 1.Enrique Hormazábal, 2.Carlos Reinoso, 3.Jorge Aravena.
    MF - 1.Rubén Marcos, 2.Eladio Rojas, 3-4.Guillermo Saavedra and Jaime Pizarro.
    FW (R/L): (L) - 1.Leonel Sánchez, 2. Alexis Sánchez, 3.Leonardo Véliz. (R) - 1-3.Patricio Yáñez, Pedro Araya and Jaime Ramírez.
    FW (2nd) - 1-2.Carlos Caszely and Raúl Toro, 3-4.Alberto Fouilloux and Guillermo Subiabre.
    CFW - 1-2.Marcelo Salas and Iván Zamorano, 3.Jorge Robledo.

    This list based on south-american football literature and sport sites. I compiled information several sources.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for informative contribution. As I check, it is very similar to mine. But I'm a bit bewilder why MF has two categories (Jaime Pizarro and Arturo Vidal is not the same category) ?

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    2. Anonymous16/1/16

      Three best midfielders in chilean history are A.Vidal, E.Hormazábal and R.Marcos. I have not detailed the position MF besides attacks MF. Only ranking level. 1st - Vidal, Marcos, Hormazábal, 2nd - J.Toro, F.Valdés, E.Rojas, Reinoso, 3th - Aravena, Saavedra, J.Pizarro.

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    3. I have read biographical article of Ruben Marcos. I think he could be even a starter in all-time XI so I'll create his profile here. Anyway, David Pizarro is not even good enough for third level ?

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  8. Anonymous16/1/16

    According to south-american survays and rankings close to the third level or third level also (MF) - D.Pizarro, G.Paez, A.Gremaschi, J.Valdivia, J.-L.Sierra, R.Espinoza. E.Sorrel

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. OK, thanks you very much. Your information is helpful. As a result, I rename Arias as a first choice left-back, name Ruben Marcos as a first choice DM and also add Alexis Sanchez in substitution.

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  9. Anonymous22/2/16

    additions.
    From 1941 to 1981 influental chilean sport newspaper "Estadio" declared "Chilean player of year".
    Sergio Livingstone - 1941, 1944, Luis Eyzaguirre - 1963, Antonio Arias - 1974, Elias Figueroa - 1977, 1978, Ruben Marcos - 1966, 1967, Enrique Hormazábal - 1958, Leonel Sánchez - 1958, 1964, 1965, Francisco Valdés - 1972, 1973, Raúl Toro - 1943, Lizardo Garrido - 1981, Carlos Caszely - 1979.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This is a valuable source. Do you have the full list for this period ?

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    2. Anonymous24/2/16

      Chilean player of Year (sport newspaper "Estadio", 1941-1981):
      1941 - Armando “Norton” Contreras, Sergio Livingstone, Oscar Medina, 1942 - n/a, 1943 - Raúl Toro, 1944 - Sergio Livingstone, 1945 - n/a, 1946 - J. Manuel Acuña, 1947, 1948 - n/a, 1949 - José Manuel Moreno (ARG), 1950 - Atilio Cremaschi, 1951 - Hernán Fernández, 1952 - n/a, 1953 - Isaac Carrasco, 1954 - Misael Escuti, 1955 - n/a, 1956 - Carlos Cubillos, 1957 - Juan Soto Mura, 1958 - Leonel Sánchez, Enrique Hormazábal, 1959 - Mario Moreno, 1960 - Ramiro Cortés, 1961 - Honorino Landa, 1962 - Raúl Sánchez, 1963 - Luis Eyzaguirre, 1964 - Leonel Sánchez, 1965 - Leonel Sánchez, 1966 - Rubén Marcos, 1967 - Rubén Marcos, 1968 - Alberto Fouilloux, 1969 - Juan Rodríguez, 1970 - Juan Rodríguez, 1971 - Manuel Gaete, 1972 - Francisco Valdés, Juan Carlos Sarnari (ARG), 1973 - Francisco Valdés, 1974 - Antonio Arias, 1975 - n/a, 1976 - Nicolás Novello (ARG), 1977 - Elías Figueroa, 1978 - Elías Figueroa, 1979 - Carlos Caszely, 1980 - Severino Vasconcelos (BRA), 1981 - Lizardo Garrido.

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    3. Based on this list, I found to overrate Raul Toro and Enrique Hormazabal. I'd name this status of winner into profile of player also.

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    4. My friend, after to Elias Figueroa, Leonel Sánchez, Raúl Toro Julio and Enrique Hormazabal have much prestige in the history of Chilean football. The Chilean journalism categorizes them as the bests players. I affirm you categorically that they are not overvalued.

      Delete
  10. Anonymous27/6/16

    Gary Medel??

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  11. Anonymous23/7/16

    1).- Elías Figueroa
    2).- ULISES POIRIER, left back, twice best defender in the South American championship in 1922 and 1926.
    3).- Quintano and Prieto

    ReplyDelete
  12. Anonymous17/2/17

    CARLOS REINOSO was the best foreign player of history the "Primera División de México". Valdés is very good, but Reinoso is >

    ReplyDelete
  13. David Arellano, lefty Insider died 1927, was scorer of 1926 South American championship (Copa América). Founder of Colo Colo maximum idol of the club and institution.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anonymous22/7/17

    A creative midfielder José Luis Sierra, has been very remembered in Sao Paulo FC. of Tele Santana.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. How come has he been recognized when he played only 8 games there.

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  15. Anonymous4/8/17

    Carlos Reinoso, Eladio Rojas?

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  16. Reinoso won Mexican League player of the year only once while the league was not competitive enough.

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  17. What about Gary Medel? Best chilean defender in the last world cup and copas america. Also he had good seasons with Inter.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. As I check, he received rather low seasonal rating by media in almost all seasons.

      Delete
  18. Anonymous7/2/18

    Patricio Yanez? As a winger/forward, he was good at La Liga.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Anonymous28/3/18

    David Arellano - ???

    ReplyDelete
  20. Anonymous18/1/19

    Patricio Yanez? Great right winger.

    1981 El Grafico's South American footballer of the year: 5th
    1982 El Grafico's South American footballer of the year: 9th
    1981 El Mundo's South American footballer of the year: 5th

    1983/84 Don Balon's Rating: 2nd Best Forward
    1983/84 Don Balon's La Liga Best XI
    1983/84 Mundo's La Liga Best XI

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  21. He seems to have only one great season in La Liga other than 1983/1984 ?

    ReplyDelete
  22. Anonymous10/9/22

    Hasta ahora según mi percepcion el XI ideal debe formar asi:
    Bravo / Eyzaguirre - Figueroa - Quintano - Arias / Vidal - Hormazabal / Alexis - Caszely - Leonel / Salas

    Banca: Livingstone / Medel - Astengo - Puebla / Jaime Pizarro - Marcos - Valdes - Aranguiz - Valdivia / Toro Julio - Zamorano y Robledo

    ReplyDelete
  23. Anonymous21/1/23

    Vidal must be in first team

    ReplyDelete