Mauricio Pinilla
Encyclopedia
Mauricio Ricardo Pinilla Ferrera (born 4 February 1984) is a Chile
an footballer who plays for U.S. Città di Palermo
in Italy
, as a centre forward.
After beginning his career at Universidad de Chile
, he signed for Inter Milan
at the age of 19, but never appeared for the club in four years. He went on to play in five countries, without really settling anywhere.
, Pinilla started his career with Universidad de Chile
, leaving for Europe
an football and Italian
giants F.C. Internazionale Milano
in 2003, signing a five-year contract.
However, he was immediately sold to fellow Serie A
side A.C. ChievoVerona
(which acquired 50% of the player's rights), and finished 2003–04 loaned again, to La Liga
outfit Real Club Celta de Vigo
, not managing to score in 11 league appearances combined.
in a 3–0 win at Sporting Clube de Braga, on 1 May 2005.
However, Pinilla was also unable to settle at Sporting and, on January 2006, would move on loan, finishing 2005–06
at Racing de Santander
. On 26 February 2006, he netted his only goal (a penalty kick
) for the Cantabria
side, in a 2–2 away draw against Deportivo Alavés
.
In 2006–07, Pinilla was once again loaned, now to Scottish
side Heart of Midlothian
. His time with the Edinburgh
club was beset by injuries, resulting in him only playing a handful of times for the first team. In February 2007, he returned to Universidad de Chile.
Pinilla returned to Hearts for pre-season training ahead of the 2007–08 season, with Hearts buying out Sporting's half of his rights. However, his return to playing football with Hearts had a major setback when it was revealed the player had a fractured scaphoid wrist bone, a hidden injury sustained while still in Chile. This put him out of action for a six further weeks. He recovered from this in Spain
, returning to training with Hearts on September 12.
On 9 January 2008, it was reported that Pinilla had sustained another injury in training that sidelined him for the rest of the season. On 6 May, his agent stated that he had signed a deal which would keep him at Hearts until 2011, after his contract with Inter expired the following month. However, on 1 July, Hearts announced that they had released the forward from his contract.
In early September 2008, Pinilla joined Brazil
's CR Vasco da Gama, signed a contract until the end of the season. He played his first match with new club in a 0–1 away loss against Clube de Regatas do Flamengo
, in a derby
.
After Vasco was relegated to the second division
, Pinilla left the club and moved to Cyprus
' Apollon Limassol
as a free agent
.
outfit U.S. Grosseto F.C.
on a free transfer. At the Tuscan
club, his once promising career got back on track, as he scored 24 goals in 24 games (including a series of 12 consecutive matches netting, a competition record) and finished the season
as the second best scorer, despite missing more than a third of the campaign through different injuries; his performances subsequently ensured him interest from several Italian top division clubs.
In June 2010, U.S. Città di Palermo
announced the signing of Pinilla. He scored five league goals in his first 12 games, being an important offensive unit in a team that also comprised forwards Abel Hernández
, Massimo Maccarone
and Fabrizio Miccoli
.
On 11 September 2011, in the season
's opener, Pinilla was brought from the bench to score the 4–2 for Palermo against former club Inter, in an eventual 4–3 home win.
since 2003, Pinilla led his country's scoring during the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
qualifiers
, with three goals. However, on 27 February 2007, whilst on loan to Universidad, he was caught in a hotel with María José López, the model
wife of national team captain Luis Antonio Jiménez. The two players later encountered each other in a Santiago nightclub, which led to Pinilla's admission to hospital with head trauma and neck injuries.
Subsequently, Pinilla announced his decision to retire from the international scene, not even reconsidering after the nation's President's intervention.
In August 2010, Pinilla returned to the national team, being recalled by manager Marcelo Bielsa
for a friendly with the Ukraine
. He was also picked for a game against Uruguay
later in November, only to be called off due to injury.
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...
an footballer who plays for U.S. Città di Palermo
U.S. Città di Palermo
Unione Sportiva Città di Palermo is an Italian football club from Palermo, Sicily which currently plays in Serie A, the top level of Italian football. Formed in 1900 as Anglo Panormitan Athletic and Football Club, the club had various names before assuming its final form in 1987 and is currently...
in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, as a centre forward.
After beginning his career at Universidad de Chile
Universidad de Chile (football club)
Club Universidad de Chile is a professional football club based in Santiago, Chile, which plays in the Primera División.The club was founded on May 24, 1927, as Club Deportivo Universitario. Universidad de Chile is the second most successful and popular football clubs in Chile, having won the...
, he signed for Inter Milan
F.C. Internazionale Milano
Football Club Internazionale Milano, often referred to as Internazionale or simply Inter, is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Italy. Outside Italy, the club is often called Inter Milan. They are the reigning FIFA Club World champions and Coppa Italia holders.Inter have always...
at the age of 19, but never appeared for the club in four years. He went on to play in five countries, without really settling anywhere.
Early career
Born in SantiagoSantiago, Chile
Santiago , also known as Santiago de Chile, is the capital and largest city of Chile, and the center of its largest conurbation . It is located in the country's central valley, at an elevation of above mean sea level...
, Pinilla started his career with Universidad de Chile
Universidad de Chile (football club)
Club Universidad de Chile is a professional football club based in Santiago, Chile, which plays in the Primera División.The club was founded on May 24, 1927, as Club Deportivo Universitario. Universidad de Chile is the second most successful and popular football clubs in Chile, having won the...
, leaving for Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an football and Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
giants F.C. Internazionale Milano
F.C. Internazionale Milano
Football Club Internazionale Milano, often referred to as Internazionale or simply Inter, is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Italy. Outside Italy, the club is often called Inter Milan. They are the reigning FIFA Club World champions and Coppa Italia holders.Inter have always...
in 2003, signing a five-year contract.
However, he was immediately sold to fellow Serie A
Serie A
Serie A , now called Serie A TIM due to sponsorship by Telecom Italia, is a professional league competition for football clubs located at the top of the Italian football league system and has been operating for over eighty years since 1929. It had been organized by Lega Calcio until 2010, but a new...
side A.C. ChievoVerona
A.C. ChievoVerona
Associazione Calcio Chievo Verona is a professional Italian football club named after and based in Chievo, a suburb of 2,800 inhabitants in Verona, Veneto, and owned by Paluani, a cake company and the inspiration for their original name, Paluani Chievo...
(which acquired 50% of the player's rights), and finished 2003–04 loaned again, to La Liga
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...
outfit Real Club Celta de Vigo
Celta de Vigo
Real Club Celta de Vigo , simply referred to as Celta Vigo, is a Spanish professional football club based in Vigo, Galicia, currently playing in the Segunda División. It was founded on March 28, 1923 following the merger of Real Vigo Sporting and Real Fortuna Foot-ball Club.Nicknamed Los Celestes ,...
, not managing to score in 11 league appearances combined.
Professional journeyman
In July 2004, Sporting Clube de Portugal bought 50% of his playing rights and Pinilla, having spent much of the season on a low note, finished with five goals in 2004–05, notably a hat-trickHat-trick
A hat-trick or hat trick in sport is the achievement of a positive feat three times during a game, or other achievements based on threes. The term was first used in 1858 in cricket to describe HH Stephenson's feat of taking three wickets in three balls. A collection was held for Stephenson, and he...
in a 3–0 win at Sporting Clube de Braga, on 1 May 2005.
However, Pinilla was also unable to settle at Sporting and, on January 2006, would move on loan, finishing 2005–06
2005–06 La Liga
* Athletic Bilbao* Atlético Madrid* FC Barcelona* Betis* Cádiz CF* Celta de Vigo* Deportivo Alaves* Deportivo de La Coruña* Espanyol* Getafe CF* Málaga CF* RCD Mallorca* CA Osasuna* Racing de Santander* Real Madrid* Real Sociedad* Sevilla FC...
at 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....
. On 26 February 2006, he netted his only goal (a penalty kick
Penalty kick
A penalty kick is a type of direct free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal.Penalty kicks are performed during normal play...
) for the Cantabria
Cantabria
Cantabria is a Spanish historical region and autonomous community with Santander as its capital city. It is bordered on the east by the Basque Autonomous Community , on the south by Castile and León , on the west by the Principality of Asturias, and on the north by the Cantabrian Sea.Cantabria...
side, in a 2–2 away draw against Deportivo Alavés
Deportivo Alavés
Deportivo Alavés, S.A.D., usually abbreviated to Alavés, is a Spanish football club based in Vitoria-Gasteiz, in the Basque Country. Founded in 1921, it plays in Segunda División B, holding home matches at the 19,500-seater Estadio Mendizorrotza....
.
In 2006–07, Pinilla was once again loaned, now to Scottish
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
side Heart of Midlothian
Heart of Midlothian F.C.
Heart of Midlothian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Gorgie, in the west of Edinburgh. They currently play in the Scottish Premier League and are one of the two principal clubs in the city, the other being Hibernian...
. His time with the Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
club was beset by injuries, resulting in him only playing a handful of times for the first team. In February 2007, he returned to Universidad de Chile.
Pinilla returned to Hearts for pre-season training ahead of the 2007–08 season, with Hearts buying out Sporting's half of his rights. However, his return to playing football with Hearts had a major setback when it was revealed the player had a fractured scaphoid wrist bone, a hidden injury sustained while still in Chile. This put him out of action for a six further weeks. He recovered from this 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...
, returning to training with Hearts on September 12.
On 9 January 2008, it was reported that Pinilla had sustained another injury in training that sidelined him for the rest of the season. On 6 May, his agent stated that he had signed a deal which would keep him at Hearts until 2011, after his contract with Inter expired the following month. However, on 1 July, Hearts announced that they had released the forward from his contract.
In early September 2008, Pinilla joined Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
's CR Vasco da Gama, signed a contract until the end of the season. He played his first match with new club in a 0–1 away loss against Clube de Regatas do Flamengo
Clube de Regatas do Flamengo
Clube de Regatas do Flamengo , also known as Flamengo and familiarly as Mengão, is a Brazilian sports club based in the Flamengo bairro, Zona Sul, Rio de Janeiro, best known for its professional football team...
, in a derby
Local derby
In many countries the term local derby, or simply just derby means a sporting fixture between two, generally local, rivals, particularly in association football...
.
After Vasco was relegated to the second division
Campeonato Brasileiro Série B
The Série B is the second division of Brazilian football. It is played by 20 teams. However, the competition format has changed almost every year since it first occurred, in 1971. In some years, it was not played altogether...
, Pinilla left the club and moved to Cyprus
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
' Apollon Limassol
Apollon Limassol
Apollon Limassol is a Greek Cypriot sports club, based in Limassol. It has football, basketball and volleyball teams. Founded in 1954, Apollon F.C...
as a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
.
Back to Italy and Serie A
In August 2009, Pinilla returned to Italy, joining Serie BSerie B
Serie B, currently named Serie bwin due to sponsorship reasons, is the second-highest division in the Italian football league system after the Serie A. It is contested by 22 teams and organized by the Lega Serie B since July 2010, after the split of Lega Calcio that previously took care of both the...
outfit U.S. Grosseto F.C.
U.S. Grosseto F.C.
Unione Sportiva Grosseto Football Club is a professional Italian association football club, based in the city of Grosseto, Tuscany. The club was founded in 1912. The team's most associated nickname is grifone, after its logo, depicting a griffon...
on a free transfer. At the Tuscan
Tuscany
Tuscany is a region in Italy. It has an area of about 23,000 square kilometres and a population of about 3.75 million inhabitants. The regional capital is Florence ....
club, his once promising career got back on track, as he scored 24 goals in 24 games (including a series of 12 consecutive matches netting, a competition record) and finished the season
2009–10 Serie B
The 2009–10 Serie B season is the seventy-eighth edition since its establishment in 1929. A total of 22 teams contest the league, 15 of which returned from the 2008-09 season, 4 of which have been promoted from Lega Pro Prima Divisione, and three relegated from Serie A.-Stadiums and...
as the second best scorer, despite missing more than a third of the campaign through different injuries; his performances subsequently ensured him interest from several Italian top division clubs.
In June 2010, U.S. Città di Palermo
U.S. Città di Palermo
Unione Sportiva Città di Palermo is an Italian football club from Palermo, Sicily which currently plays in Serie A, the top level of Italian football. Formed in 1900 as Anglo Panormitan Athletic and Football Club, the club had various names before assuming its final form in 1987 and is currently...
announced the signing of Pinilla. He scored five league goals in his first 12 games, being an important offensive unit in a team that also comprised forwards Abel Hernández
Abel Hernández
Abel Mathías Hernández Platero is a Uruguayan football striker. He currently plays for Serie A club U.S. Città di Palermo and Uruguay national football team.-Club career:...
, Massimo Maccarone
Massimo Maccarone
Massimo Maccarone is an Italian association football striker currently playing for Sampdoria....
and Fabrizio Miccoli
Fabrizio Miccoli
Fabrizio Miccoli is an Italian football striker who currently is playing for Serie A team Palermo.-Early years:After playing at youth level with Milan, he returned to his native Apulia in 1995 to join Serie C1 team Casarano, where he made his professional debut at the age of 17...
.
On 11 September 2011, in the season
2011–12 Serie A
The 2011–12 Serie A is the eightieth season since its establishment, and the second under a league committee separate from Serie B. It began on 9 September 2011 and will end on 13 May 2012. The league was originally scheduled to start on 27 August, but this was delayed due to a strike by the players...
's opener, Pinilla was brought from the bench to score the 4–2 for Palermo against former club Inter, in an eventual 4–3 home win.
International career
An established Chilean internationalChile 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...
since 2003, Pinilla led his country's scoring during the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
A total of 197 teams entered the qualification process for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, competing for a total of 32 spots in the final tournament. Germany, as the host, qualified automatically, leaving 31 spots open for competition...
qualifiers
2006 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL)
Listed below are the dates and results for the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds for South America. 10 teams took part, all in a single group. The rules were very simple: the teams would play against each other in a home-and-away basis, with the four teams with most points qualifying to...
, with three goals. However, on 27 February 2007, whilst on loan to Universidad, he was caught in a hotel with María José López, the model
Model (person)
A model , sometimes called a mannequin, is a person who is employed to display, advertise and promote commercial products or to serve as a subject of works of art....
wife of national team captain Luis Antonio Jiménez. The two players later encountered each other in a Santiago nightclub, which led to Pinilla's admission to hospital with head trauma and neck injuries.
Subsequently, Pinilla announced his decision to retire from the international scene, not even reconsidering after the nation's President's intervention.
In August 2010, Pinilla returned to the national team, being recalled by manager Marcelo Bielsa
Marcelo Bielsa
Marcelo Alberto Bielsa Caldera is an Argentine association football coach and former defender, born in Rosario, Santa Fe...
for a friendly with the Ukraine
Ukraine national football team
The Ukraine national football team is the national football team of Ukraine and is controlled by the Football Federation of Ukraine. After Ukrainian Independence and breakaway from the Soviet Union, they played their first match against Hungary on 29 April 1992...
. He was also picked for a game against Uruguay
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...
later in November, only to be called off due to injury.
International goals
| Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 March 2003 | Estadio Nacional de Chile Estadio Nacional de Chile The Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos is the national stadium of Chile, and is located in the Ñuñoa district of Santiago). It is the largest stadium in Chile with an official capacity of 47,000, and is part of a 62 ha sporting complex which also features tennis courts, an aquatics center, a... , Santiago Santiago, Chile Santiago , also known as Santiago de Chile, is the capital and largest city of Chile, and the center of its largest conurbation . It is located in the country's central valley, at an elevation of above mean sea level... , 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... |
2–0 | 2–0 | Friendly Exhibition game An exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition... |
|
| 9 September 2003 | Estadio Nacional de Chile Estadio Nacional de Chile The Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos is the national stadium of Chile, and is located in the Ñuñoa district of Santiago). It is the largest stadium in Chile with an official capacity of 47,000, and is part of a 62 ha sporting complex which also features tennis courts, an aquatics center, a... , Santiago Santiago, Chile Santiago , also known as Santiago de Chile, is the capital and largest city of Chile, and the center of its largest conurbation . It is located in the country's central valley, at an elevation of above mean sea level... , 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... |
1–0 | 2–1 | 2006 World Cup qualification 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL) Listed below are the dates and results for the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds for South America. 10 teams took part, all in a single group. The rules were very simple: the teams would play against each other in a home-and-away basis, with the four teams with most points qualifying to... |
|
| 1 June 2004 | Estadio Polideportivo de Pueblo Nuevo Estadio Polideportivo de Pueblo Nuevo Estadio Polideportivo de Pueblo Nuevo is a multi-purpose stadium in San Cristóbal, Venezuela. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home stadium of Deportivo Táchira Fútbol Club. The stadium holds 38,755 people... , San Cristóbal San Cristóbal, Táchira San Cristóbal is the capital city of the Venezuelan state of Táchira. It is located in a mountainous region of Western Venezuela. The city is situated 818 m/2,625 ft above sea level in the northern Andes overlooking the Torbes River, 56 km/35 mi from the Colombian border. San... , Venezuela Venezuela Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south... |
1–0 | 1–0 | 2006 World Cup qualification 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL) Listed below are the dates and results for the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds for South America. 10 teams took part, all in a single group. The rules were very simple: the teams would play against each other in a home-and-away basis, with the four teams with most points qualifying to... |
|
| 9 February 2005 | Estadio Sausalito Estadio Sausalito Estadio Sausalito is a multi-purpose stadium in Viña del Mar, Chile. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home ground of CD Everton. The stadium holds 18,037 people and was built in 1929... , Viña del Mar Viña del Mar Viña del Mar , is a city and commune on central Chile's Pacific coast. Its long stretches of white sandy beaches are a major attraction for national and international tourists. The city is Chile's main tourist attraction. Known as "La Ciudad Jardín" , Viña del Mar is a Chilean Municipality located... , 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... |
3–2 | 3–2 | Friendly Exhibition game An exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition... |
|
| 30 March 2005 | Estadio Defensores del Chaco Estadio Defensores del Chaco Estadio Defensores del Chaco is a multi-purpose stadium in Asunción, Paraguay. It is currently used mostly for football matches. The stadium once had a 50,000+ capacity but over the years the stadium has undergone remodeling dropping the capacity to 36,000.... , Asunción Asunción Asunción is the capital and largest city of Paraguay.The "Ciudad de Asunción" is an autonomous capital district not part of any department. The metropolitan area, called Gran Asunción, includes the cities of San Lorenzo, Fernando de la Mora, Lambaré, Luque, Mariano Roque Alonso, Ñemby, San... , Paraguay Paraguay Paraguay , officially the Republic of Paraguay , is a landlocked country in South America. It is bordered by Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to the east and northeast, and Bolivia to the northwest. Paraguay lies on both banks of the Paraguay River, which runs through the center of the... |
1–2 | 1–2 | 2006 World Cup qualification 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL) Listed below are the dates and results for the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds for South America. 10 teams took part, all in a single group. The rules were very simple: the teams would play against each other in a home-and-away basis, with the four teams with most points qualifying to... |
|