José Zalazar
Encyclopedia
José Luis Zalazar Rodríguez (born October 26, 1963) is a retired Uruguay
an footballer. He played mostly as an attacking midfielder.
Nicknamed El Oso (Bear
), he played most of his career in Spain
, especially with Albacete Balompié
, being part of the club's most long tenure in the Spanish first division
. Zalazar was also notable for his strong and accurate right-foot shot, as demonstrated with several goals from long distance, particularly from free kicks
.
, Zalazar started his career at local club C.A. Peñarol
in 1982. After the 1986 FIFA World Cup
, he joined Mexican
club Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara where, in his first year, he was the highest goalscorer of the tournament with 23 goals. He then moved to Spain
, where he played with Cádiz CF
one season, before returning to Mexico for the 1988–89 season, again with the Tecos.
In 1989, Zalazar returned to Spain, playing one year in its second level
with RCD Español
; he then joined Albacete Balompié
, where he would have his most successful period, playing six seasons and being part of the squad known as Queso Mecánico ("Mechanic Cheese"). He started his spell at the Castile-La Mancha
team in the second division, scoring 15 times in all 38 matches in an eventual promotion - namely two crucial ones against UD Salamanca
.
During 1991–92's top level, Zalazar again played in all the games, adding 13 goals, helping Albacete finish in seventh place, the highest position ever reached by the club in the first division. The player's performances earned him the EFE Trophy by Spanish news agency EFE
, awarded to the best Ibero-American player in La Liga every year. During his career at Albacete, Zalazar also became the club's all-time leader in first division appearances, with 180 matches, and goals, with 57.
After Albacete was relegated back to the second division in the 1995–96 season, Zalazar left for Racing de Santander
for one single season. The following year, he returned to Uruguay, playing the 1997 Apertura
tournament for hometown's Club Nacional de Football
and the Clausura
for Club Atlético Bella Vista. After a brief retirement, 35-year old Zalazar rejoined Albacete, still in the second level, leaving the game for good at the end of the season.
for the Uruguay national team
. Having made his official international debut on June 13, 1984 against England
, in a 2–0 win, he was part of the Uruguayan squad at the 1986 FIFA World Cup
, making his only appearance of the tournament during the second half of a group stage 1–6 loss to Denmark
.
He also played six matches during the 1994 World Cup qualification
process, his last representing Uruguay, which did not qualify.
Uruguay
Uruguay ,officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay,sometimes the Eastern Republic of Uruguay; ) is a country in the southeastern part of South America. It is home to some 3.5 million people, of whom 1.8 million live in the capital Montevideo and its metropolitan area...
an footballer. He played mostly as an attacking midfielder.
Nicknamed El Oso (Bear
Bear
Bears are mammals of the family Ursidae. Bears are classified as caniforms, or doglike carnivorans, with the pinnipeds being their closest living relatives. Although there are only eight living species of bear, they are widespread, appearing in a wide variety of habitats throughout the Northern...
), he played most of his career in Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, especially with Albacete Balompié
Albacete Balompié
Albacete Balompié, S.A.D. is a Spanish football team based in Albacete, in the autonomous community of Castile-La Mancha. Founded on August 2, 1940, it currently plays in Segunda División B, holding home matches at Estadio Carlos Belmonte, with a 17,300-seat capacity.-History:The club was founded...
, being part of the club's most long tenure in the Spanish first division
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
. Zalazar was also notable for his strong and accurate right-foot shot, as demonstrated with several goals from long distance, particularly from free kicks
Direct free kick
A direct free kick is a method of restarting play in a game of association football following a foul. Unlike an indirect free kick, a goal may be scored directly against the opposing side without the ball having first touched another player.-Award:...
.
Club career
Born in MontevideoMontevideo
Montevideo is the largest city, the capital, and the chief port of Uruguay. The settlement was established in 1726 by Bruno Mauricio de Zabala, as a strategic move amidst a Spanish-Portuguese dispute over the platine region, and as a counter to the Portuguese colony at Colonia del Sacramento...
, Zalazar started his career at local club C.A. 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...
in 1982. After the 1986 FIFA World Cup
1986 FIFA World Cup
The 1986 FIFA World Cup, the 13th FIFA World Cup, was held in Mexico from 31 May to 29 June. The tournament was the second to feature a 24-team format. Colombia had been originally chosen to host the competition by FIFA but, largely due to economic reasons, was not able to do so and officially...
, he joined Mexican
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
club Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara where, in his first year, he was the highest goalscorer of the tournament with 23 goals. He then moved to Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, where he played with Cádiz CF
Cádiz CF
Cádiz Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. is a Spanish football team based in Cádiz, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Founded in 1910, it currently plays in Segunda División B - Group 4, holding home games at Estadio Ramón de Carranza, with a 22,000-seat capacity.Salvadoran legend Mágico González, who...
one season, before returning to Mexico for the 1988–89 season, again with the Tecos.
In 1989, Zalazar returned to Spain, playing one year in its second level
Segunda División
The Segunda División is the lower tier of the two professional football leagues in Spain. From the season 2008-09 onwards, the name of the league is Liga Adelante.-History:...
with RCD Español
RCD Espanyol
Reial Club Deportiu Espanyol de Barcelona is a sports club based in Barcelona, Spain. It is best known for its football team. Espanyol currently play in the Estadi Cornellà-El Prat with seats for 40,500 spectators. It was inaugurated on 2 August 2009...
; he then joined Albacete Balompié
Albacete Balompié
Albacete Balompié, S.A.D. is a Spanish football team based in Albacete, in the autonomous community of Castile-La Mancha. Founded on August 2, 1940, it currently plays in Segunda División B, holding home matches at Estadio Carlos Belmonte, with a 17,300-seat capacity.-History:The club was founded...
, where he would have his most successful period, playing six seasons and being part of the squad known as Queso Mecánico ("Mechanic Cheese"). He started his spell at the Castile-La Mancha
Castile-La Mancha
Castile-La Mancha is an autonomous community of Spain. Castile-La Mancha is bordered by Castile and León, Madrid, Aragon, Valencia, Murcia, Andalusia, and Extremadura. It is one of the most sparsely populated of Spain's autonomous communities...
team in the second division, scoring 15 times in all 38 matches in an eventual promotion - namely two crucial ones against UD Salamanca
UD Salamanca
Unión Deportiva Salamanca, S.A.D. is a Spanish football team based in Salamanca, in the autonomous community of Castile and León. Founded on 16 March 1923, it currently plays in Segunda División B – Group 2....
.
During 1991–92's top level, Zalazar again played in all the games, adding 13 goals, helping Albacete finish in seventh place, the highest position ever reached by the club in the first division. The player's performances earned him the EFE Trophy by Spanish news agency EFE
EFE
EFE is a Spanish news agency created in 1939 by Spain's former minister of the press and propaganda Ramón Serrano Súñer and Manuel Aznar Zubigaray....
, awarded to the best Ibero-American player in La Liga every year. During his career at Albacete, Zalazar also became the club's all-time leader in first division appearances, with 180 matches, and goals, with 57.
After Albacete was relegated back to the second division in the 1995–96 season, Zalazar left for Racing de Santander
Racing de Santander
Real Racing Club de Santander, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Santander, in the autonomous community of Cantabria. Founded in 1913, it currently plays in La Liga, holding home games at Estadio El Sardinero, with a capacity for 22,400 spectators....
for one single season. The following year, he returned to Uruguay, playing the 1997 Apertura
Apertura and Clausura
The Apertura and Clausura tournaments are a relatively recent innovation for many Latin American football leagues in which the traditional European football season from August to May is divided in two sections per season, each with its own champion. Apertura and Clausura are the Spanish words for...
tournament for hometown's Club Nacional de Football
Club Nacional de Football
Club Nacional de Football is a Uruguayan sports club based in Montevideo. It is best known for its professional football team, which plays in the Uruguayan Primera División....
and the Clausura
Apertura and Clausura
The Apertura and Clausura tournaments are a relatively recent innovation for many Latin American football leagues in which the traditional European football season from August to May is divided in two sections per season, each with its own champion. Apertura and Clausura are the Spanish words for...
for Club Atlético Bella Vista. After a brief retirement, 35-year old Zalazar rejoined Albacete, still in the second level, leaving the game for good at the end of the season.
International career
Zalazar obtained a total of 29 international capsCap (sport)
In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
for the Uruguay national team
Uruguay national football team
The Uruguayan national football team represents Uruguay in international association football and is controlled by the Uruguayan Football Association, the governing body for football in Uruguay. The current head coach is Óscar Tabárez...
. Having made his official international debut on June 13, 1984 against England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
, in a 2–0 win, he was part of the Uruguayan squad at the 1986 FIFA World Cup
1986 FIFA World Cup
The 1986 FIFA World Cup, the 13th FIFA World Cup, was held in Mexico from 31 May to 29 June. The tournament was the second to feature a 24-team format. Colombia had been originally chosen to host the competition by FIFA but, largely due to economic reasons, was not able to do so and officially...
, making his only appearance of the tournament during the second half of a group stage 1–6 loss to Denmark
Denmark national football team
The Denmark national football team represents Denmark in association football and is controlled by the Danish Football Association , the governing body for the football clubs which are organized under DBU...
.
He also played six matches during the 1994 World Cup qualification
1994 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL)
Listed below are the dates and results for the 1994 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds for the South American zone . For an overview of the qualification rounds, see the article 1994 FIFA World Cup qualification....
process, his last representing Uruguay, which did not qualify.