Elias Figueroa biography in English
Chilean Football News and host narrator Daniel Campos sum up the glittering career of central defender Elías Figueroa.
Born on the 25th of October in 1946 in Valparaíso, he played for his hometown club Santiago Wanderers although making his senior professional debut at 17 for Unión La Calera. Two years later he represented Chile in the 1966 FIFA World Cup in England at just 20 years of age.
A year later he moved to Uruguayan and South American club giants Peñarol winning two domestic league titles before a much-publicised move to Internacional de Porto Alegre rejecting offers abroad including Real Madrid.
The move to Inter in Brazil meant five Gaúcho state championships and two national Brazilian league titles from 1972 to 1976.
In 1977 still at the peak of his career he decided to return to Chile and signed for Palestino winning the domestic cup title and the 1978 league title.
Regarded by many as one of the greatest defenders in the history of the game, Figueroa was an elegant player, technical, strong, physical and an imposing leader and captain on the field.
Figueroa was awarded the Bola de Ouro, the Brazilian Player of the Year award whilst playing for Internacional in 1972 and 1976.
Newspaper El Mundo named Figueroa the South American Footballer of the Year three times in a row in 1974, 1975 and 1976. Named Best Player in Uruguay in 1967 and 1968, Best Player in Chile in 1977 and 1978.
Upon retirement, Pelé named Elías Figueroa in the world's best 125 football players for FIFA and was also voted 8th best South American Player and 37th best player in the world.
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