Elías Figueroa: The Greatest Chilean
When discussing a country’s greatest players, unless its Italy, defenders rarely get brought up. In a continent favoring nice dribbles and 30 yard screamers over a clean tackle or a well timed interception, one man stands above the rest. Elías Figueroa.
Born in Valparaíso, the second largest city in Chile, on 25 October 1946, Elías started playing football for Florida High Quilpué, later joining local side Santiago Wanderers, in 1962.
He made his professional debut at the age of just 16, for the Wanderers men’s side. A year after his first appearance, Elías went on loan to Union La Calera.
His impressive performances attracted interest from a lot of clubs, with Peñarol beating competition to sign him in 1967. Although he joined a team full of stars, a then 21-year-old Figueroa quickly settled in the Uruguayan capital. During his 5 years at the club, he won 3 consecutive league titles (1967–1969) and was voted the best player in the league 3 times! It is said that he was so admired and loved by the Uruguayan outfit and its fans, that during his departure in 1971, people burst into tears!
Elías then took his talents to Porto Alegre with Internacional. His trophy winning habit carried on in Brazil, with the team winning 2 national league titles and 5 regionals. Out of 18 games they played in 1974, Internacional won EVERY SINGLE ONE finishing with a record of 18–0–0!!! The success was as impressive on a personal level, as he was the league’s best defender each one of the 4 seasons he spent there, as well as winning the Bola De Ouro in 2 occasions. The most amazing feat however, was the fact that he was awarded the Rey del Fútbol de America not one, not two, but THREE times, overcoming fellow legends of the era such as Zico, Passarella, Carlos Alberto and Jairzinho. Only 2 other players have won the award thrice, namely Carlos Tevez and the before-mentioned Zico.
In the later stages of his career Figueroa returned to his country of birth, with Palestino, who he helped win a further 2 league trophies, being the best player in Chile on both occasions. He had a swift spell in the USA, just like many players in his time, with Fort Lauderdale Strikers, before returning to Colo-Colo where he retired.
On an international level, Elías, only managed to get a surprisingly low 47 caps for Chile scoring twice. Nevertheless, he captained his country to 3 world cups, being named the best defender in 2 of those 3, in 1974 and 1982 and was a member of the all star team in the latter.
In contrast to most defenders then, Figueroa was a clean player, who preferred excellent positioning and marking to two-footing the opposition forward. His passing range also drew comparisons to Der Kaiser. His charismatic personality and his leadership, along with his perfect record of 1 red card in a 20 year career earned him the nickname “Don Elías”.
In summary, although many Chileans have made a name for themselves in the years “before and after Figueroa”, particularly Arturo Vidal, Alexis Sanchez, Iván Zamorano and Marcelo Salas, none have matched Elías’ talent and contribution to the sport of football. In the words of renounced Brazilian journalist, Nelson Rodrigues, Elías Figueroa was “elegant, as an earl dressed in suit, and dangerous as a Bengal Tiger. Elias Figueroa was the perfect defender.”
