Elías Figueroa
Encyclopedia
Elías Ricardo Figueroa Brander (born October 25, 1946 in Valparaíso
Valparaíso
Valparaíso is a city and commune of Chile, center of its third largest conurbation and one of the country's most important seaports and an increasing cultural center in the Southwest Pacific hemisphere. The city is the capital of the Valparaíso Province and the Valparaíso Region...

) is a former football player from Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...

. He is considered the best Chilean footballer of all time, as well as one of the greatest defenders ever to play the game.

He played for several clubs during his long career, notably his hometown club Santiago Wanderers, Brazilian club Internacional and Uruguayan club Peñarol
C.A. Peñarol
Club Atlético Peñarol also known as Carboneros, Aurinegros and familiarly as Manya, is an Uruguayan sports club based in the Peñarol barrio, Montevideo, best known for its professional football team. The team plays their home matches in Estadio Centenario, the largest stadium in the country, but...

. He also represented Chile
Chile national football team
The Chilean national football team represents Chile in all major international football competitions. The team is controlled by the Federación de Fútbol de Chile which was established in 1895. They have appeared in eight World Cup tournaments and were hosts of the 1962 FIFA World Cup finishing in...

 47 times. He appeared in 3 world cups, '66
1966 FIFA World Cup
The 1966 FIFA World Cup, the eighth staging of the World Cup, was held in England from 11 July to 30 July. England beat West Germany 4–2 in the final, winning the World Cup for the first time, so becoming the first host to win the tournament since Italy in 1934.-Host selection:England was chosen as...

, '74
1974 FIFA World Cup
The 1974 FIFA World Cup, the tenth staging of the World Cup, was held in West Germany from 13 June to 7 July. The tournament marked the first time that the current trophy, the FIFA World Cup Trophy, created by the Italian sculptor Silvio Gazzaniga, was awarded...

, '82
1982 FIFA World Cup
The 1982 FIFA World Cup, the 12th FIFA World Cup, was held in Spain from 13 June to 11 July. The tournament was won by Italy, after defeating West Germany 3–1 in the final.-Host selection:...

.

He was noted for his elegant style of play, his calmness in the centre of defence and his ability to cut out opposition attacks and immediately launch counter attacks from the back. He was also praised throughout his career for being a gentleman on and off the pitch.

He twice awarded the Bola de Ouro
Bola de Ouro
The Bola de Ouro is an award given each year, since 1973, by the authoritative Brazilian magazine Placar to the best player in the Brazilian National Championship. It is practically the equivalent to a Footballer of the Year award...

, the Brazilian Player of the year whilst playing for Internacional in 1972 and 1976. He was also awarded the South American Footballer of the Year
South American Footballer of the Year
The South American Footballer of the Year is an annual association football award presented to the best footballer in South America over the previous calendar year. The award was conceived by Venezuelan newspaper El Mundo, whom awarded it from 1971 to 1985. Uruguayan newspaper El País took over...

 three times in a row by Venezuelan newspaper El Mundo
El Mundo (Venezuela)
El Mundo is a Venezuelan evening newspaper.It was launched on 3 February 1958 in Caracas, shortly after the end of the dictatorship of Marcos Pérez Jiménez on 23 January 1958. It was founded by Miguel Ángel Capriles Ayala, who had launched Ultimas Noticias in 1941...

in 1974, 1975 and 1976.

He was designated Best Player of Uruguay in 1967 and 1968. Best Player in Chile in 1977 and 1978.

He has subsequently been voted into the world's 125 best living soccer players
FIFA 100
The FIFA 100 is a list of the world-renowned Brazilian striker Pelé's choice of the "greatest living footballers". Unveiled on 4 March 2004 at a gala ceremony in London, the FIFA 100 marked part of the celebrations of the 100th anniversary of the foundation of the Fédération Internationale de...

 and he was also voted at 8th in the IFFHS South America Top 50 Players of the Century.

In March 2011 he revealed that he was considering entering the FIFA Presidential election.

History

He was born on November 25, 1947 and began his career at Florida High Quilpué. In 1963, at age 15 appeared in the Chilean professional football playing for the club Wandereres of Valparaíso and then move on loan to the whole Union La Calera and in 1964, with only 16, he joined the youth team of the Andean nation .

The Chilean star played his first World Cup in England in 1966. Designed to excel, the poise and hierarchy was gradually becoming one of the toughest positions in football, central defender, make the eyes of experts from perching on it.

This led to his first foreign recruitment in 1967. Thus, after completion of the South American Championship in Montevideo, Uruguay Peñarol passed.

With the institution gets aurinegra championships 1967, 1968 and 1969, was elected the best player in the Uruguayan championship in 1967 and 1968.

By then he was a trained athlete, however, worried about further develop their skills, which caught the attention of Brazilian executives. In fact, he was hired by the Internacional de Porto Alegre who is devoted to Brazilian champion in 1975 and 1976.

He was elected the best Brazilian central defender in the field during the seasons 1973, 1974, 1975 and 1976 and Player of the Year in 1975 and 1976. As if this were not enough, the semi-legendary figure of Figueroa is surpassing borders at the expense of praise, until he was acclaimed as the best player in America in 1974, 1975 and 1976 and competing with players against giants of world football as Falcão
Paulo Roberto Falcão
Paulo Roberto Falcão is a Brazilian head coach and former footballer, currently managing Sport Club Internacional. He is widely considered one of the best players in Internacional and Roma history, and one of the most talented midfielders of all time, especially at his peak in the mid 1980s...

 teammate, Rivelino
Rivelino
Roberto Rivellino is a former Brazilian footballer.The son of Italian immigrants from Macchiagodena , he was famous for his large moustache, thunderous long-range free kicks, excellent long passes, quick thinking and distinct way of controlling the ball...

, Jairzinho
Jairzinho
Jair Ventura Filho, better known as Jairzinho , is a former association footballer. A quick, powerful forward or winger, he was a member of the legendary Brazilian national team that won the 1970 FIFA World Cup, during which he scored in every game Brazil played...

, Tostão
Tostão
Eduardo Gonçalves de Andrade , better known as Tostão, is a former Brazilian footballer, who played as a forward. In his prime, he was considered one of the best offensive players in the world, while also contributing with many assists thanks to his passing abilities.-Football career:Born in Belo...

, Gérson
Gérson
Gérson de Oliveira Nunes, generally known as Gérson [], , nickname Canhotinha de ouro is an association footballer. He won numerous national trophies with the club sides of Flamego, Botafogo, São Paulo and Fluminense...

, Carlos Alberto Torres
Carlos Alberto Torres
Carlos Alberto Torres is a former Brazilian footballer, one of the most highly regarded defenders of all time. He captained Brazil to victory in the 1970 World Cup and is a member of the World Team of the 20th Century, as well as the U.S...

, Zico
Zico
Arthur Antunes Coimbra , better known as Zico , is a Brazilian coach and former footballer. He is the current head coach of the Iraq national football team. Often called the "White Pelé", he is commonly considered one of the most skilled finishers and one of the best passers ever and possibly the...

, Teófilo Cubillas
Teófilo Cubillas
Teófilo Juan Cubillas Arizaga is a Peruvian former footballer. He was selected as Peru's greatest ever player in an IFFHS poll, in which he was also included in the world's Top 50...

, Héctor Chumpitaz
Héctor Chumpitaz
Héctor Eduardo Chumpitaz González is a former footballer from Peru...

, Mario Kempes
Mario Kempes
Mario Alberto Kempes Chiodi is a retired Argentine footballer. His father, Mario, also a footballer, inspired him to play from a young age. At the age of 7, he began playing with a junior team and at 14, he joined La Cuarta de Talleres...

, Roberto Perfumo
Roberto Perfumo
Roberto Alfredo Perfumo is a former Argentine footballer.-Club career:El Mariscal won the Intercontinental Cup with Racing Club in 1967, as well as two Argentine leagues, and three with River Plate.-International career:...

, Daniel Passarella
Daniel Passarella
Daniel Alberto Passarella is a former Argentine football centre back and former manager of the Argentine and Uruguayan national football teams. He was captain of the Argentina team that won the 1978 World Cup...

 or Pelé
Pelé
However, Pelé has always maintained that those are mistakes, that he was actually named Edson and that he was born on 23 October 1940.), best known by his nickname Pelé , is a retired Brazilian footballer. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time...

 (winner in 1973) in the most brilliant period of South American football. Until today this is considered something goes beyond the norm for a defense even in Europe, only Beckenbauer
Franz Beckenbauer
Franz Anton Beckenbauer is a German football coach, manager, and former player, nicknamed Der Kaiser because of his elegant style, his leadership, his first name "Franz" , and his dominance on the football pitch...

 has been considered the best of their continent.

Was restrained in personal branding, and without relying on the violent game, marking opponents with surprising plasticity. It also had great ability to pass without stopping the attack, using his powerful shot and the natural endowment had to head, attack or defend.

In 1974 returned to represent Chile in a World Cup tournament and while the selection Andean failed to perform well, Figueroa was elected the best central defender of the tournament. Shortly after returning to his homeland to wear the colors of the Palestinian, whom ends up being a national champion in 1977 and 1978.

Like many figures in world football in 1981 became the American League (MSL) where he played for the Fort Lauderdale Strikers. In 1982 he again wore the national uniform in the World Cup in Spain in 1982 and that year he transferred to Colo-Colo in Santiago.

Finally, after 20 years of distributing international football hierarchy, retired from professional football practice. Later became a television sports commentator for Chilean and Brazilian, standing equally in his new profession.

In 1999 he received the honorable mention of being one of the top eleven players from Latin America and in the same year she was part of a select group of the Great Masters Cup in a ceremony held in Cannes, France.

His visit to Brazil was so successful that some local journalists divided his career in the South American nation "before and after Figueroa." Single lineage heads the list of all Chilean players to date.

Clubs

Figueroa started and ended his career with Chilean clubs. He spent several years in Uruguay with Peñarol, in Brazil with Internacional, and in the US with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers.

His most successful period in domestic football came at Peñarol and Internacional, but in total he amassed an impressive 22 titles.

National team

He had 47 caps and scored two goals with the Chilean national football team.

He was the captain of the Chile national football team
Chile national football team
The Chilean national football team represents Chile in all major international football competitions. The team is controlled by the Federación de Fútbol de Chile which was established in 1895. They have appeared in eight World Cup tournaments and were hosts of the 1962 FIFA World Cup finishing in...

 on many occasions and captained the Chilean squad through their most successive era to date when they qualified for three World Cups, He played in the 1966 FIFA World Cup
1966 FIFA World Cup
The 1966 FIFA World Cup, the eighth staging of the World Cup, was held in England from 11 July to 30 July. England beat West Germany 4–2 in the final, winning the World Cup for the first time, so becoming the first host to win the tournament since Italy in 1934.-Host selection:England was chosen as...

 in England, the 1974 FIFA World Cup
1974 FIFA World Cup
The 1974 FIFA World Cup, the tenth staging of the World Cup, was held in West Germany from 13 June to 7 July. The tournament marked the first time that the current trophy, the FIFA World Cup Trophy, created by the Italian sculptor Silvio Gazzaniga, was awarded...

 in Germany, and the 1982 FIFA World Cup
1982 FIFA World Cup
The 1982 FIFA World Cup, the 12th FIFA World Cup, was held in Spain from 13 June to 11 July. The tournament was won by Italy, after defeating West Germany 3–1 in the final.-Host selection:...

 in Spain.

He was also captain when they finished third in the South American Championship 1967
South American Championship 1967
The South American Football Championship 1967 was held in Uruguay and won by Uruguay with Argentina as a second.Luis Artime from Argentina and Mora from Paraguay were the top scorers of the tournament with 5 goals each...


and a remarkable second place in the Copa América 1979
Copa América 1979
The 1979 edition of the Copa América soccer tournament was played between July 10 and December 12. This time, the continental champion would not go to the FIFA World Cup. It was not held in a particular country, all matches were played on a home and away basis...

.

On December 2006 he served as coach when Chile played a friendly game against Aragon
Aragon national football team
The Aragon official football team is the official football team for Aragon, Spain. They are not affiliated with FIFA, UEFA or the NF-Board. Therefore, they do not participate in international tournaments, but only play friendly games...

.

Potential FIFA Presidential Run

On March 25, 2011 Figueroa was chosen as ChangeFIFA
ChangeFIFA
ChangeFIFA is a campaign organisation, established in 2010 with the stated aim of making FIFA, the ruling body of world soccer, more "fair and accountable".-Creation:...

's candidate to clean up FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...

 following the scandal-hit 2018 and 2022 World Cup bid race last year. Unless Figueroa is nominated by a national federation, FIFA president Sepp Blatter
Sepp Blatter
Joseph S. Blatter , commonly known as Sepp Blatter, is a Swiss football administrator, who serves as the 8th and current President of FIFA . He was elected on 8 June 1998, succeeding João Havelange. He was re-elected as President in 2002, 2007, and 2011...

's only opponent in the elections on June 1 will be Asian football chief Mohamed Bin Hammam. ChangeFIFA co-director David Larkin said that if FIFA members denied one of their own legendary players the right to stand for president, "it will only prove to show that FIFA has become an exclusive and undemocratic club of an elite few who will stop at nothing to prevent their loss of privilege and power". Figueroa told Brazil's leading sports newspaper, Lance!
Lance!
Lance! is one of the most important daily sports newspapers in Brazil, and its first edition was published in 1997. Its headquarters are located in Rio de Janeiro, and they print regional versions for the some of the other Brazilian States....

: "My idea, which is also theirs, is to change some things in football, make it better. I still cannot give details, but, if the nomination is confirmed, we will reveal."

However, on March 31, 2011, Figueroa said in a statement he had decided not to accept because "in such a short period of time I could not develop a case worthy of the magnitude and importance of such a distinguished job".

Titles

With Peñarol
C.A. Peñarol
Club Atlético Peñarol also known as Carboneros, Aurinegros and familiarly as Manya, is an Uruguayan sports club based in the Peñarol barrio, Montevideo, best known for its professional football team. The team plays their home matches in Estadio Centenario, the largest stadium in the country, but...

  • Champion of Primera División Uruguaya
    Primera División Uruguaya
    The Liga Profesional de Primera División , also known as the Primera División Uruguaya or Primera División de Uruguay , is a professional football league in Uruguay at the top of the country's football league system. It is organized by the Uruguayan Football Association and is contested by 16 teams...

    : 1967 and 1968
  • Winner of Intercontinental Champions Super Cup: 1969
  • Winner of Competencia Tournament: 1967
  • Winner of Honour Tournament: 1967
  • Winner of Cuadrangular Tournament: 1968 & 1970
  • Winner of Atlántico Sur Cup: 1972
  • Winner of Copa Principe Juan de España: 1972
  • Winner of Príncipe Juan de España Cup: 1972
  • Winner of Montevideo Cup: 1971


With Internacional
Sport Club Internacional
Sport Club Internacional is a Brazilian football team and multi-sport club from Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, founded on April 4, 1909, and are one of the only five clubs to have never been relegated, along with Santos, São Paulo, Flamengo and Cruzeiro. They play in red shirts, white shorts and...

  • Champion of Campeonato Gaúcho
    Campeonato Gaúcho
    The Campeonato da Primeira Divisão de Futebol Profissional da FGF is the top tier of the footballleague of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.-Clubs:Clubs qualified to Campeonato Gaúcho Primeira Divisão 2011.*Canoas*Caxias...

    : 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975 & 1976
  • Champion of Campeonato Brasileiro Série A
    Campeonato Brasileiro Série A
    The Campeonato Brasileiro de Clubes da Série A , popularly known as the Brasileirão , is a professional football league at the top of the Brazilian football league system held annually since 1959. Contested by twenty clubs, it operates a system of promotion and relegation with the Série B...

    : 1975 & 1976


With Palestino
  • Winner of Chile Cup
    Copa Chile
    The Copa Chile is an annual cup competition for Chilean football teams. Due to time constraints and club pressure, the trophy was cancelled in 2000, but returned in 2008...

    : 1977
  • Champion of Primera División de Chile: 1978


With Fort Lauderdale Strikers
  • Winner of 1982 North American Soccer League season: 1982


With Colo-Colo
Colo-Colo
Club Social y Deportivo Colo-Colo is a Chilean football club based in the commune of Macul, Santiago. It competes in the Primera División, the top-flight football league in the country, from which they have never been relegated. Their home ground is the Estadio Monumental David Arellano.Colo-Colo...

  • Winner of Primera División de Chile: 1983

Individual

Distinctions Year
FIFA World Player 1976
All-Star Team
FIFA World Cup awards
At the end of each FIFA World Cup final tournament, several awards are attributed to the players and teams which have distinguished from the rest, in different aspects of the game.These are awards granted during the men's senior tournament...

 of 1974 FIFA World Cup
1974 FIFA World Cup
The 1974 FIFA World Cup, the tenth staging of the World Cup, was held in West Germany from 13 June to 7 July. The tournament marked the first time that the current trophy, the FIFA World Cup Trophy, created by the Italian sculptor Silvio Gazzaniga, was awarded...

1974
South American Footballer of the Year 1974–1975–1976
Third place South American Footballer of the Year 1977
Best South American defense of the year 1972-1973-1974-1975-1976-1977
Bola de Ouro Brazil's best player 1972–1976
Bola de Prata 1972- 1974- 1975- 1976
Best player of Uruguay 1967–1968
Best foreign player who has played in Brazil and has played in Uruguay 2002 2004
Best footballer of the year in Chile 1981
Best sportsman of the year of Chile 1981
Chilean Footballer of the History of Circle of Sports Journalists of Chile 1999
List FIFA 100
FIFA 100
The FIFA 100 is a list of the world-renowned Brazilian striker Pelé's choice of the "greatest living footballers". Unveiled on 4 March 2004 at a gala ceremony in London, the FIFA 100 marked part of the celebrations of the 100th anniversary of the foundation of the Fédération Internationale de...

 of Pelé
2004
N° 37 The World's best Player of the Century IFFHS 1999/2000
N° 8 South America best Player of the Century IFFHS 1999/2000
N° 1 Chilean best Player of the Century IFFHS 1999/2000
N° 1 South America best Defender of the Century IFFHS 1999/2000
Placar magazine (Brazil) N 19° in published a list of the best 100 players of all time 1999
Playboy Brazil magazine N 13° in published a list of voted among the best in history 2005
World Soccer magazine; selected in published a list of the best 50 players of all time 2010
Member of American Cup of History Team 2011
Member of South American Team of the 20th Century 1999
Member of the Walk of Fame Stadium Maracana
Maracanã
Maracanã may refer to:* The Red-shouldered Macaw, a bird known in Brazil as Maracanã* Maracanã , a neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil* Maracanã , a stadium located in Maracanã neighborhood...

2000
Nominated constantly to Selection of the World and South America from 19 years 1966–1983
Only player alongside Hugo Sánchez
Hugo Sánchez
Hugo Sánchez Márquez , popularly nicknamed Pentapichichi, or Hugol, is a Mexican football coach and former striker. He played for four European clubs, including Real Madrid. Sanchez is considered the first highly talented Mexican player. He was also a member of the Mexico national team, and...

 that has participated in three World Cups alternately
1966- 1974- 1982
Captained all teams where he played 1967–1982

Links

  • Bola de Prata
    Bola de Prata
    The Bola de Prata is a Primeira Liga award for the top scorer. In case two or more players have the same amount of goals, the award goes to the footballer with the least games played. It was first awarded has a prize in the 1952–53 season by sport newspaper A Bola.-List of winners:...

  • Bolo de Ouro
    Bola de Ouro
    The Bola de Ouro is an award given each year, since 1973, by the authoritative Brazilian magazine Placar to the best player in the Brazilian National Championship. It is practically the equivalent to a Footballer of the Year award...

  • South American Footballer of the Year
    South American Footballer of the Year
    The South American Footballer of the Year is an annual association football award presented to the best footballer in South America over the previous calendar year. The award was conceived by Venezuelan newspaper El Mundo, whom awarded it from 1971 to 1985. Uruguayan newspaper El País took over...

  • FIFA 100
    FIFA 100
    The FIFA 100 is a list of the world-renowned Brazilian striker Pelé's choice of the "greatest living footballers". Unveiled on 4 March 2004 at a gala ceremony in London, the FIFA 100 marked part of the celebrations of the 100th anniversary of the foundation of the Fédération Internationale de...

  • Top 50 South American Players of All Time
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