Outstanding Players

Here we describe the athletes we consider most relevant in the history of the team, but we are always open to suggestions to include another that is not in this list through the contact page here

Period 1916-1950

 

Elias Deik (1920-1930)

Elias Deik (left), with Luis Harnecker
Revista Los Sports Nº418, 1931-03-13
 

Salvador Deik (1924-1930)

Revista Los Sports N°398, 1930-10-24
 

Eduardo ‘Lalo’ Zaror (1947-1954)

Eduardo Zaror (right) with Alfredo Riadi
Revista Mundo Árabe Nº165, 1950-09-01
 

Period 1951-1960

 

Roberto ‘Muñeco’ Coll (1953-1968)

Revista Estadio Nº0951, 1961-08-17.
Roberto Coll de Palestino, a star in 1961 like 1953.

He was, in unanimous recognition, the most brilliant player of the 1955 Chilean First Division Tournament. Notable on the field, a gentleman out of it, he got annoyed when they referred to his virtues and preferred to name others. Then the chronicler concluded that he had the best of them: “He has the good technique of (Atilio) Cremaschi, (sergio) Espinoza’s innate sense of football, the creative ability of (Enrique) Hormazabal, the instant inspiration of (René) Melendez”.

He was a virtuous player with the ball in the feet. But, at the same time, it could be the most humble and laborious pawn of the game, if the match conditions demanded it.

In 1955, it was his third season in Palestino when he won the first of the championships for the team. And it would continue for many more, in a notable case of football longevity.

In that same tournament of 1955, Roberto Coll played 33 games and scored 19 goals.

For the benefit of Chilean football, he enjoyed his sporting quality and his good manhood. A true idol. The unforgettable ‘Muñeco’. (*)

(*) Muñeco in spanish literally means ‘doll’, but in past decades in Chile it was used for calling a good looking man,

Source: Book extract ‘La Historia de los Campeones: 1933-1987’, Edgardo Marin
Link: http://www.memoriachilena.cl/602/w3-article-9851.html

 

Juan Manuel López (1953-1957)

Revista Estadio Nº0653, 1955.
Juan M. López, centrodelantero de Palestino

Notable Argentinian striker, who became the driver of the 1955 Palestino champions’ attack. The Rosario born, despite a wounded knee that ended his career in Argentina, was the leading center dribbler and fast-in spite of its corpulence-, brave in all the glimpses and precise harmonizer of the two luxury wings that had the “tricolores”.

In the 1955 tournament, Juan Manuel López played 28 games and scored 19 goals, as did Roberto Coll.

Source: Book extract ‘La Historia de los Campeones: 1933-1987’, Edgardo Marin
Link: http://www.memoriachilena.cl/602/w3-article-9851.html

 

Rodolfo ‘El Tano’ Almeyda (1953-1961)

Revista Estadio Nº0904, 1960-09-22
Rodolfo Almeyda, defensa central de Palestino

More than anyone thought that Rodolfo Almeyda could be a great central back. Others did not think so, starting with himself. But he did it. However, such as Roberto Coll was the great driver of the attack, the ‘Tano’ Almeyda was the great boss of the area. He had a solid physique, made for the toughest demandings.

And in the afternoons when the machine of Club Deportivo Palestino champion of 1955 did not work with the desired fluidity, the ‘Tano’ appeared at the bottom of the area as an immense and decisive figure.

He was nationalized Chilean and was nominated to the chilean national team. He was part of the group that defeated Brazil for the first time in its history (4-1), in the South American tournament of 1956.

Source: Book extract ‘La Historia de los Campeones: 1933-1987’, Edgardo Marin
Link: http://www.memoriachilena.cl/602/w3-article-9851.html

 

José Donoso (1953-1964)

Revista Estadio Nº0543,1953-10-10 – José Donoso

The goalkeeper José Adán Donoso Lizana, 86 years old, 1.72 meters, 72 kilos, born in San Vicente de Tagua Tagua in 1930, began in Ferroviarios, in December 1949 he was runner up with Santiago in The National Amateur Tournament of La Serena, who won the local team with Ramiro Cortés and Carlos Tello, spent three years in Audax Italiano in the shadow of Daniel Chirinos and was Champion on the Substitute players tournament in February 1953. That same year he moved to Palestino and was runner up behind Colo-Colo of the Robledo brothers, and in 1955 he was champion with palestino: “We had a great lead with three Argentinians: Osvaldo Pérez, Roberto Coll and Juan Manuel Lopez, and the left wing that came from Santiago Wanderers: José ‘Peta’ Fernández And Guillermo Díaz Zambrano. We made a lot of goals (91) and received a lot of goals against us. We always talk about the goals that score us as goalkeppers, but never the ones we avoid…”

Donoso was a serious, sober goalkepper. “I never was worries about appearing in interviews, I did my job and nothing more. Because my calmed behavior, they called me ‘Tranquilino’ (a quiet relaxed man). Also I was a goalkepper with all three good conditions: good, nice and cheap (*). My strength was to easily reach to the sides; My Achilles heel, the centering passes. A thing influenced that because I had a central defender that played and nodded very well: Rodolfo ‘El Tano’ Almeida. When I went out of the goal, he was an obstacle, so I chose to stay on the goal”

Donoso points out that he never noticed who scored goals. “My only concern was to think about how I could have avoided the fall. If you tell me that Wanderers made me seven goals, with four of Armando Tobar (Playa Ancha, 1959), and Unión Española six, with four of Mario Lorca (Ñuñoa, 1961), I forgot it. Yes I remember 4-4 with Union San Felipe, we won 4-0 in the first quarter of an hour and we were tied with four goals by Felipe Bracamonte, two by penalties (Santa Laura, 1963).

In 1965, Donoso formed in the third directory of the Union of Professional Footballers: “I was disillusioned when the politics came.”

Donoso’s career includes the national team in the 1955 O’Higgins Cup: “I was in the Maracaná stadium in the 1-1 draw with Brazil on September 18. Great match of Misael Escuti and goal by Jaime Ramírez. The coach was Luis Tirado”. Also it remember the time that he reinforced to Colo Colo in Lima (1958), “the other goalkepper was Francisco Nistche”, and the tour of Palestino by Central America (1959), “my partner was Miguel Nasur”. He adds: “If I played 17 years in the first division, something I must had something.”

In 1965, Palestino decided to hire Juan Carlos Moreno as its titular goalkeeper and unexpectedly it decided to dismiss the services of José Donoso, not even leaving him as an alternate goalkeeper.

Source: ‘Un arquero con las tres b’
La Tercera, 2016-10-31
Link: http://www.latercera.com/noticia/arquero-las-tres-b/

 

Osvaldo Pérez (1953-1957)

Revista Estadio Nº0534, 1953-08-08.
Osvaldo Pérez, delantero de Palestino

Argentinian forward who arrived from Deportivo Cali (Colombia) in 1953. He was a champion with Club Deportivo Palestino on the 1955 tournament, Perez was a very complete player, he did a notable partnership in the right wing with Roberto Coll..

His own footballing personality is very interesting; one hundred percent professional, maybe one of the players who get the best of his “work” on the court, he felt football with a passion that escapes all material consideration. He was ready to get hit, to take risks, but he never eluded them; he came in at full speed, he dribbles, he goes to the area, he looks for the goal. With his speed and dribbling he could have stayed in a more comfortable and safer job inside the court, with similar performance, but football moves the blood fast and he has to follow the impulses that football gave him.

He played 110 games, scoring 51 goals in his nearly five seasons by the team.

Source: ‘El Factor Humano’
Revista Estadio Nº657, 1955-12-16

 

Jose ‘Peta’ Fernández (1955-1961)

Chilean player with regular height, a thick contexture, playing in the position of left forward, with a violent shot. Together with Guillermo “Yemo” Diaz, arrived to Palestino from Santiago Wanderers in 1955, which it was called the ‘Ala Porteña’ (*). Jose Fernandez was a recognized central forward striker, who went in demand of the opposing goal on the basis of will and strength and that had a powerful distance shot. He always waited for the pass to attack. In Palestino he discovered new facets, and he has been a competent mixture between a wing and a forward, which has been issued well in all fields, especially as an organizer or in labor of support, missions that require skills, mastery with the ball, aplomb and confidence in what is done. In 1955 he was the center forward with the most category, that in the games he was notorious in a full of stars team. With ‘Peta’, Roberto Coll he could have more rest and share the tasks in the attack.

That same year 1955 was champion in Club Deportivo Palestino.

He was also nominated for the Chilean team where he played 22 games, scoring 5 goals.

(*) Literally ‘Coast Wing’, because Santiago Wanderers () is a team from Valparaiso, on the chilean central coast.

Source: ‘El Ala Porteña’
Revista Estadio Nº657, 1955-12-16

 

Guillermo ‘Yemo’ Diaz (1955-1960)

Chilean footballer who played on the left front position, along with José ‘Peta’ Fernández, arrived in Palestino from Wanderers in 1955, which was called the ‘Ala Porteña’ (*). Penetrating, skilled, smart and with a violent shot with both legs.

Before arriving at Palestino he always had brilliant flashes, days in which he use to be a wing of exception, with international quality, but soon it diminished, and its characteristic was the irregularity. With Club Deportivo Palestino colors, he has already materialized in a definite valuable player. In physical, in athletic profile; in action of maintained capacity, of regularity and of undisputed quality.

There were afternoons of Club Deportivo Palestino 1955 version where ‘Yemo’ lifted the team and pulled him out of a probable defeat. In moments when the situation demanded it, he would come and go, he would work for all sectors of the court but usually he did it for the left wing.

That same year 1955 was champion in Palestino. He was also nominated for the Chilean national team where he played 18 matches, scoring 7 goals, also participating in the World Cup qualifiers of Sweden 1958.

(*) Literally ‘Coast Wing’, because Santiago Wanderers () is a team from Valparaiso, on the chilean central coast.

Source: ‘El Ala Porteña’
Revista Estadio Nº657, 1955-12-16

 

Constantino Mohor (1955-1961)

Revista Estadio Nº0786, 1958-06-20 Constantino Mohor, defensa de Palestino

See in category Palestinian Origin Players

 

Period 1961-1970

 

Juan Antonio Falcon (1960)

Revista Estadio Nº0919, 1961-01-05 Juan Falcon de Palestino, scorer del futbol profesional chileno 1960

In 1960,  the couch Alejandro ‘Conejo’ Scopelli brought from Estudiantes de la Plata to Juan Antonio Falcon. It was a curious find, because it happens that the ‘skinny guy’ had never been a scorer by definition and in  Club DeportivoPalestina it was. Master for finishing the counterattacks, he became scorer of the tournament of that year with 21 goals.

Opportunism, goal vision, decision in the moment, are some of the attributes with which Estadio Magazine of 1960 qualified this player.

Source: El Hincha de Cartón, ‘Los mejores delanteros de Palestino’, 2015-03-04
http://elhinchadecarton.blogspot.cl/2015/03/los-mejores-delanteros-de-palestino.html

Orlando ‘Chocolito’ Ramirez (1965-1970)

Revista Estadio Nº1174, 1965-12-09. Orlando Ramirez, delantero de Palestino

Forward fast, direct and incisive. It was the goal in a speedy move and a free kick specialist, with a subtle touch or an impressive free spin kick. When he played in Club Deportivo Palestino he was nominated by the Chilean national Team for the 1966 FIFA World Cup.

Raúl Angulo (1965-1969)

Revista Estadio Nº1165, 1965-09-25. Raúl Angulo, defensa de Palestino

Central defender who came from Transandino, who played indifferently in forward position and back, with excellent physique and goal vision not very common in defender. Many of whose goals were the result of head shots in the rival goal.

Hard to pass because his range, strength, temperament and wisdom. In this period of his career, where he was an immovable piece of the team, he was also nominated for the Chilean national team..

Source: ‘Todo al margen’
Revista Estadio Nº1137, 1965-03-11
http://repositorio.bn.cl/estadio/1965/N%c2%b0%201153%20a%201177%20(jul-dic)%20%20%5bMC0068706%5d.pdf

Carlos Rubén Villagarcía (1965-1971)

Revista Estadio Nº1247, 1967-05-05 Carlos Rubén Villagarcia, delantero de Palestino

Left forward, who was one of the most regular players of the 60s, always on a high level. He could move in the left or right of the attack. Villagarcía was a very complete striker. He was able to work when he had to go back in order to get the ball. Such was the case that, which was so useful playing from midfield upwards to down from the line of attack. A midfielder “with a good attack” or a forward “who knows how to go back”. He was able to head balls in mid-height (those that seem high for the foot and low for the head) and make goals. In addition he was an excellent penalty specialist.

In 1967, Villagarcia was 5th in left-hand ranking in Estadio Magazine.

Víctor Castañeda (1960-1974)

Revista Estadio Nº1254, 1967-06-23.
Victor Castañeda, defensa de Palestino

Multifunctional player who debuted as an extreme right forward and then served as a contention flyer, where in the early 1960s he saved the back zone of Constantino Mohor and Rodolfo Almeyda. Castañeda came to rejuvenate Club Deportivo Palestino at the beginning of the decade when it was plagued by veterans.

Later, from the second half of the 60s, with the command of the coach Alejandro ‘Conejo’ Scopelli, played as right side defense, characterized by being very fast and with great capacity of recovery of balls. It was part of the classic defense of the decade, which was also composed by Raul Angulo, Ismael Ahumada and Gustavo Cortés.

In 1965 and 1967, according to the ranking of the magazine Estadio, was among the best right side defenses. Among the most identified and most experienced players in Palestino, he spent 15 years in the team, retiring from the courts in 1974.

Source: ‘Se impuso. Victor Castañeda, una de las piezas eficientes que han remozado a Palestino’
Revista Estadio Nº949, 1961-08-03
http://repositorio.bn.cl/estadio/1961/N%c2%b0%200945%20a%200970%20(jul-dic)%20%20%5bMC0068698%5d.pdf

Juan Carlos Moreno (1965-1969)

Experienced Argentinian goalkeeper from Coquimbo Unido. Player with a good agility, his control of the goalkeeping, his coldness and determination in the most critical moments, his safety of hands and his position, his reflexes.

Source: ‘La figura de la semana: Juan Carlos Moreno’
Revista Estadio Nº1131, 1965-01-28
http://repositorio.bn.cl/estadio/1965/N%c2%b0%201128%20a%201152%20(ene-jun)%20%20%5bMC0068705%5d.pdf

Gustavo Cortés (1964-1971)

Revista Estadio Nº1349, 1969.
Gustavo Cortes, defensa lateral de Palestino

Left side defense, which began as the less strong point of the classic back of the 60s, also composed by Victor Castañeda, Raúl Angulo and Ismael Ahumada.

Technically vulnerable by skillful rival strikers, even he reached the fame as ‘hard player’ on the defense. Never it looked he was playing so easily. It seemed he was a product of a tremendous effort, to play permanently with clenched teeth, yielding to the maximum and with difficulties to play. First he was a rigid player, he must to be noticed marking the band, where are the most skilled men plays.

However, as early as mid-1967, the impression began to vary about its conditions. Some difficult games, before technical rivals, showed it in sufficient and completed tasks. He had hard days, but with better resources, with more aplomb and development. The friction that was once characteristic of it disappeared from its mark. He was watched with enough ease to move along his line and go forward to increase the number in the offensive force. It stopped being the static marker, without the necessary initiative to take advantage of the situation that sometimes forms in the band. But such revelations do not involve the loss of previous virtues: he kept the application, strength and constancy that always characterized it.

Source: ‘Llegó de comienzo incierto, Gustavo Cortés terminó por afirmarse en una muy buena defensa’
Revista Estadio Nº1303, 1968-06-20
http://repositorio.bn.cl/estadio/1968/N%c2%b0%201292%20a%201304%20(abr-jun)%20%20%5bMC0068716%5d.pdf

 

Period 1971-1980

 

Sergio ‘Keko’ Messen (1974−1981)

Revista Estadio coleccion Nº060, Nº1619, 1974-08-20.
Sergio Messen, valor fundamental en el renovado Palestino

‘Keko’ was part of the glorious squad that came out in 1978, also Copa Chile of 1975 and 1977, and forged the streak of more undefeated games, a record that remains until today. He was a ‘linker’ forward, for other people he was a an advantage midfielder. His life ended tragically due to a diabetic coma in the downtown of Providencia district in 2010.

Source: El Hincha de Cartón, ‘Los mejores mediocampistas de Palestino’, 2016-05-22
http://elhinchadecarton.blogspot.cl/2016/05/los-mejores-mediocampistas-de-palestino.html

 

Revista Estadio Nº1824, 1978-07-26.
Fabbiani liquidó a Colo-Colo

Champion of the first division tournament with Club Deportivo Palestino in 1978, champion of Copa Chile in 1975 and 1977 with Club Deportivo Palestino, finalist with Palestino in 1986, third times the best scorer of the Chilean First Division tournament from 1977 to 1979. ‘Popeye’ together with Robert Coll are one of the symbols of the whole history of the team.

The speciality of the house was the never well-weighted ‘puntete’ (a kick with the top of the foot), that made to break red that crossed him in front, Along with a stature that allowed him to win in the air. Even he got nationalized as chilean to play for the Chilean team in 1979 during Copa America, unfortunely he didn’t score a goal. For everything that he gave and for his identification until now with Club Deportivo Palestino, the undisputed first place is for Oscar Fabbiani as the best striker in Palestino history.

Source: El Hincha de Cartón, ‘Los mejores delanteros de Palestino’, 2015-03-04
http://elhinchadecarton.blogspot.cl/2015/03/los-mejores-delanteros-de-palestino.html

 

Edgardo Fuentes (1977-1983, 1996)

Revista Estadio Nº1837, 1978-10-25.
Palestino gana sin ganar. Edgardo Fuentes a la izquierda

A man of the house. He formed a defensive duet that combined the experience of Elias Figueroa with the youth and will of Edgardo Fuentes. His career began in a big way, as he was a champion with Club Deportivo Palestino in 1978. Inside his virtues, he emphasizes the speed to anticipate plays and the capacity to be the ideal companion for a great player like Elías Figueroa, because together they formed an almost impermeable defense. After a successful career in Mexico returned to Chile to play in Union española in 1995 and finally retire in the club that saw him born as a footballer, the “Tino Tino” in 1996.

Source: Jorge Elias

 

Elías Figueroa (1977-1980)

Revista Estadio Nº1821, 1978-07-05.
Elias Figueroa.

Few teams can boast of having counted in their line up the fifth best football player of all time in the world and the best in Chile in all its times. Thus Club Deportivo Palestino had the privilege of having the great Elías Figueroa and with him the the best sporting year of the team and Chilean football (undefeated 44 round of matches). Don Elías came to the team from Brazil, a country in which he was an idol and the best defense of that tournament. He did not come at the end of his career, but he arrived at his best moment, along with it he was the undisputed leader of that mythical Palestino, putting his experience in a squad that overflowed category.

Don Elías was an elegant defender, he played efficiently, perfect aerial game, specialist in the heads-up, great about reading a game, always anticipated the rival attack, distributing the ball from the bottom, all mixed with a strong personality and a loyal dispalying, characteristics that led him to be captain in all the teams he played and author of a famous phrase that sums up his style and power within the field: “The area is my home, and there I am the boss”.

Source: El Hincha de Cartón, ‘Los 5 mejores defensas de Palestino’, 2016-03-06
http://elhinchadecarton.blogspot.cl/2016/03/los-5-mejores-defensas-de-palestino.html

 

Manuel ‘Loco’ Araya (1973-1980, 1985)

Revista Foto Sport Nº39, 1978-01-10.
Poster Manuel Araya

‘Loco’ (Crazy guy) Araya, endowed with excellent reflexes, safe hands. He had a mischievous, intelligent and awareness personality that allowed him to delight (and make the goalkepping an Art), although he was introverted when he was out of the field. He was perhaps one of the best goalkeppers, not only of Club Deportivo Palestino but also of the history of Chilean football.

His beginnings on the team were not easy, he was relegated to the substitutes place by Enrique Vidallé, nevertheless waited his opportunity patiently until it was given and this one did not waste it at all: It was 44 games undefeated, between 1977 and 1978, a record mark that remains valid until today. He was also one of the longest goalkeepers in Club Deportivo Palestino, from 1973 to 1980, the year in which he migrated to Naval de Talcahuano. Araya won the No. 1 position because he was the protagonist of the best sporting year of Palestino, disguising himself as a hero on many occasions, because when the team failed, Manuel Araya saves, which was the balance mix to have a winning team and leaving a Record that to this day is unbeatable.

He left many memorable anecdotes, like entering in disguised as Arab when he defended the goal of the team, for example when he sits on the crossbar to watch the game when he was bored. Undoubtedly a great, whom the veteran fans of the team could enjoy and with healthy envy I say: But what luck they had!! A giant of the Arab goal, your sad end did not erase your memory nor extinguish your glory, farewell great Manuel Araya.

Source: El Hincha de Cartón, ‘Los 5 mejores arqueros de Palestino’, 2015-01-29
http://elhinchadecarton.blogspot.cl/2015/01/los-5-mejores-arqueros-de-palestino-por.html

 

Rodolfo Dubó (1975-1982, 1985-1988)

Revista Foto Sport Nº39, 1978-01-10.
Rodolfo Dubó, garantía en el mediocampo de Palestino

The former captain of Palestino, the brain of the golden team of 1978, is with Oscar Fabbiani one of the eternal symbols that lasted between the 70’s and 80’s. We had the joy of having him between 1975-1982 and 1985-1988, except for a 2-year when he went to Universidad de Chile. He coincides with the great period of that era: Copa Chile, national championship and tournament final match of 1986.

Source: El Hincha de Cartón, ‘Los mejores mediocampistas de Palestino’, 2016-05-22
http://elhinchadecarton.blogspot.cl/2016/05/los-mejores-mediocampistas-de-palestino.html

Manuel Rojas (1973-1975, 1977-1980)

Revista Estadio Nº1627, 1974-10-15.
Manuel Rojas, el talento de palestino

An offensive midfielder who began his professional career in the youth divisions of Palestino in 1971, where he made his debut in the First Division in 1973 and won the 1975 copa Chile.  After a couple of Seasons in the America of Mexico, returns to the team in the year 1977 where it obtains the title of 1978, to be transferred to Universidad Católica in 1981.

He also wore the jersey of the chilean football team in 28 matches from 1977 to 1982, with a remarkable participation in the 1977 Qualifying, the 1979 Copa America, the 1981 World Cup qualifications and the 1982 World Cup.

 

Pedro Pinto (1974-1983)

Revista Estadio Nº1685, 1975-11-25
Pedro Pnto, un gol en la conquista de la Copa Chile.

Skilled forward who was part of the legendary Club Deportivo Palestino 1978. He made his debut with the Tricolores in the year 74, and it was a great year because the team was just one a step to win the championship and he contributed with 13 goals in that campaign.

Since then his career was in ascension, and always in Club Deportivo Palestino he managed to shine through the sides of the field, thanks to his good technique to lead the ball through the lines and send centering passes that often were lethal for the rival defenses. He won Copa Chile in 1975 and 1977, and was part of the squad that won the Chilean first division championship in 1978. He had his last year with the club in 1983.

Source: Jorge Elias

Period 1981-1990

 

Marco Cornez
(1975-1976, 1978-1979, 1981-1983, 1986, 1998)

Marco Cornez en 1998

His football career began in the youth divisions of Club Deportivo Palestino, which he was loaned twice, first to Deportes Linares and then to Magallanes, once transferred to Universidad católica was champion the years 1984 and 1987, also disputed the final of the National First Division Tournament of 1986 defending Club Deportivo Palestino in which match was defeated before Colo Colo by 2-0. Marco Antonio Cornez had the misfortune to be contemporary of a titan of the goalkeeping as it was Roberto Rojas, I say ‘bad luck’ in the way, without doubts, of not being Rojas, would have been the one who was the number 1 of the Chilean national team, Cornez stood out for being a catcher, did not like to leave Much of the goal, relying on his extraordinary reflexes.

According to his personal achievements is being considered the tenth goal kepper striker of the history with 24 goals.He retired in 1998 in Palestino due to a rebel injury. As an anecdotal tip, he was the goalkeeper to which Club Deportivo Palestino scored 5 goals to him in the second (coming) match against Deportes Iquique on a relegation playoffs.

Source: El Hincha de Cartón, ‘Los 5 mejores arqueros de Palestino’, 2015-01-29
http://elhinchadecarton.blogspot.cl/2015/01/los-5-mejores-arqueros-de-palestino-por.html

 

Alfredo ‘Torpedo’ Nuñez (1984-1987, 1988)

Revista Triunfo 1987-01-12
Alfredo Nuñez, goleador a medio tiempo

“Torpedo” as he was known, was the owner of an incredible spin kick, practically breaking enemy goal lines. With 86 goals in his professional career, he was a scorer of the copa chile of 1985 and finalist in 1986, both with Palestino. In 2008, while playing football, he fell ill while the game was on and suffered a heart attack that took his life.

Source: El Hincha de Cartón, ‘Los mejores delanteros de Palestino’, 2015-03-04
http://elhinchadecarton.blogspot.cl/2015/03/los-mejores-delanteros-de-palestino.html

 

Leonardo Montenegro (1981-1984, 1986)

Album Campeonato Nacional Primera División de Chile 1984

He arrived to Club Deportivo Palestino in 1981 from Universidad de Chile, where he demonstrated his qualities as a creation midfielder. He stayed in the team until 1984, emigrating to South African football. He returned to Club Deportivo Palestino in 86 and it was precisely at this stage that he enjoyed his best moment in Palestino, contributing with 5 goals for the runner-up that the team achieved. Leonardo Montenegro was a player whose characteristic to jut was his ability to read well the Game and send millimetric passes, which took advantage of “Torpedo” Nuñez and the great Oscar Fabbiani, in a good way.This coldness to read the game well match with his nickname “Android”.

Source: Jorge Elias

 

Cristian ‘Cepillín’ Olguín (1981-1987)

Revista Deporte Total Nº281, 1986-10-28

A player formed in Club Deportivo Palestino, who made his debut in the First Division on the team in 1981 and made outstanding campaigns in which he emphasizes the sub championship of Copa Chile 1985 and the First Division Tournament final match in 1986. On the team, he played as forward with Alfredo “Torpedo” Núñez and Oscar Fabbiani among others.

He had very good conditions and a great range to run with ball or for counter attacks, so that once it was commanded in speed it was difficult to stop thanks to his long legs. Legs those were not clumsy to mess with defenders. It was to make beautiful goals, or at least try them, a soft shot over the head of the goalkeeper or an elegant touch on one side of the goal. Undoubtedly he won his place among the outstanding players of “Tino Tino”

Source: Jorge Elias

 

Ricardo Toro (1979-1982, 1984-1988, 1989-1990)

Ricardo Toro en formación Palestino 1989

Central Defender of Club Deportivo Palestino 1986 version. Toro arrived at the Palestino institution at the age of 12, went through all the youth divisions until he made his debut in 1978 (Don Elias and Edgardo Fuentes were the titular players). Ricardo Toro, the “Zonbeca” as he was nicknamed, was characterized by being a quiet center, liked more by play with tranquility than by blowing the ball and the year 1986 he was protagonist with Carlos Soto a brilliant defensive pair, whose performances helped to build a remarkable campaign that had him on the verge of being champion not to be by that 0 to 1 against against the Universidad de Chile. This match forced Palestino to play a final match against Colo Colo that ended up consecrating the ‘albos’ as champions. Toro’s performances earned him being part of the national team of Chile in 1987, being runner up of America. Ricardo Toro is also a trainer and joined in 1997 as the coach of the youth divisions of Palestino and participated in the process of training players, such as Luis “Mago” Jiménez, Jaime “Pajarito” Valdés and Eros Pérez, among others.

Source: El Hincha de Cartón, ‘Los 5 mejores defensas de Palestino’, 2016-03-06
http://elhinchadecarton.blogspot.cl/2016/03/los-5-mejores-defensas-de-palestino.html

Julio Osorio (1984-1988)

Álbum Campeonato Nacional Primera División de Chile 1984

Left striker with skill and power of score, who debuted by Club Deportivo Palestino in 1984.

His best year with Palestino was in that remembered 1986, as he formed a lethal offensive trident with Olguín by right and Fabbiani by the center. In that same tournament, Julio Osorio scored 11 goals, one less than Fabianni and Alfredo Nuñez, but that speaks for itself of the offensive power that possessed that remarkable team. Its main feature was to run from the bottom line on the left and face towards the goal, specialty that let him either to finish or give a lethal pass.

Source: Jorge Elias

 

Marcos Opazo (1980-1989)

Album Campeonato Nacional Primera División de Chile 1984

Defender who made his debut in Club Deportivo Palestino in 1980, staying in the club until 1989. His best moment with the club was in 1986. Opazo was not a showy player nor did he have great technique, But he had great ability to mark and his rustic form of play made him a defender difficult to overcome.It also remarkable his tough aerial game and do not complicate himself in rejecting the ball with violence when it was necessary.As an anecdote, Opazo scored a single goal in His career and was in the triumph by 1 to 0 vs Union San Felipe in 1983.

Source: Jorge Elias

 

Juan Ramón Garrido (1989-1992)

Revista Don Balon Especial Campeonato 1992

This long-hair striker was a fundamental piece in 1989, where Palestino returned to the first division after having descended the previous year. In that same year, Juan Ramón Garrido had one of his best perfomances.

He scored 20 goals while he defended Club Deportivo Palestino and crowned him as a goalscorer of the tournament. His characteristics were to take advantage of each pass near the goal and to take advantage of the passes in speed, ahead of the defenses to face without troubles with the rival goalkeepers.

Source: Jorge Elias

 

Ramón ‘Peraca’ Pérez (1988-1989, 1994)

Revista Don Balon Todo Futbol 1994

This long-haired forward who had his best year in Club Deportivo Palestino in 1988, as he was scorer of the Copa Chile with 17 goals, he was part of the team which it was relegated to the second division of that year, staying in the squad. He would get the return to the first division, although his scoring contribution was few, because he only scored 2 goals, but nevertheless he is remembered for that notable season of 1988 where he showed off his opportunism in the penalty area and even in the media said “it’s not TV program news without a goal from the ‘Peraca’.” As anecdotal tip, Ramón ‘Peraca’ Pérez was one of those players who began to dare to score with ‘puntete’ (a rustically shot with the top of foot).

Source: Jorge Elias

 

Victor Hugo Castañeda
(1983-1985, 1987-1988, 1990-1991)

Victor Hugo Castañeda en formación Palestino 1990

This player made his debut with the team in 1981. Man formed in the team youth division, he kept on the team in his first stage until 1985. Later he was hired by Deportes Concepción, he return to Palestino in 1987, and then emigrates again to Deportes Concepción, to returning back to Palestine in the year 1990 to Club Deportivo Palestino, his home team. Victor Hugo Castaneda was an offensive midfielder, a classic ’10’ where his good passing technique prevailed over the skill. In Club Deportivo Palestino he showed this virtue until Universidad de Chile noticed in his quality, ending his career with them. It is also noteworthy that he was part of the Chilean national team in the 1998 classificatories process that took Chile back to a World Cup after a 12 year of absence.

Source: Jorge Elias

 

Fabian Guevara (1986-1991)

Fabian Guevara en formación Palestino 1990

Left back player formed in Palestino. He made his debut in 1986, although in that year he played just a few games, because his position was occupied by Mario Salinas, who was an experienced player, so Guevara had to wait his chance, until the year 1987 would play mostly times as titular player. He lived the team relegation in 1988 and then returned in 1989, to play his best season in terms of personal performance, which would last until year 92, year when Universidad de Chile would hire him. His characteristics as as a player, despite being a player who plays by the sides, his projections in attack were not frequent, however, to defend demonstrated great aerobic capacity to deal with strikers of great skill and did not hesitate to put a strong leg to achieve his goal to avoid danger to the goal.

Source: Jorge Elias

 

Rodrigo Gómez (1989-1991)

Rodrigo Gómez en formación Palestino 1990

Midfielder who came to Club Deportivo Palestino as loan from Universidad Católica in 1989, when the team played on the Second Division Tournament. He kept on the team until 1991 and he was one of the best players who stuggle for promoting the team to the First Division. Gómez was a player with simple but effective characteristics, because his work of recovering balls fulfilled to perfection and his ball pass was always for a team partner, and for that reason allowed to the team to go forward with controlled ball. His good performances gave him the opportunity to be nominated to the Chilean national team to play the Copa America 1991.

Source: Jorge Elias

 

Period 1991-2000

Anibal ‘Tunga’ Gonzalez (1995)

Revista Don Balon Nº162, 1995-08-01

This striker played only one season in Club Deportivo Palestino (1995), but it was enough to be recorded in the history of the ‘tricolor’. He was a short height player but he was smart enough to anticipated the rival defenses, with a score of 18 goals with the team, being the scorer of the tournament and his second personal prize (previously was scorer by Colo Colo in 1992). The precarious situation of the team didnt allow it to enjoying more their goals.

Source: El Hincha de Cartón, ‘Los mejores delanteros de Palestino’, 2015-03-04
http://elhinchadecarton.blogspot.cl/2015/03/los-mejores-delanteros-de-palestino.html

 

Marcelo Corrales (1989-1993, 1997-1999)

Revista Don Balon Todo Futbol 1998

With 183 goals in his professional career you can not talk about Club Deportivo Palestino on the 90s decade without mentioning Marcelo Corrales. He made his debut in 1990 and he played for Palestino until 1993, registering 23 goals for the ‘tricolores’. After playing in Universidad Católica, Temuco and Osorno, in 1997 he came back to the origin team and in 3 years he scored 40 goals more. He was nominated for the chilean national team for  Copa America 2001, scoring 1 goal.

Source: El Hincha de Cartón, ‘Los mejores delanteros de Palestino’, 2015-03-04
http://elhinchadecarton.blogspot.cl/2015/03/los-mejores-delanteros-de-palestino.html

 

Jaime ‘Pajarito’ Valdes (1998-1999)

Revista Don Balon Anuario 1999

This player made his appearance in 1998, coming from the youth divisions of the team, playing 39 games and scoring 15 goals. His best year in Palestino was 1999, The year in which he became the maximum scorer of the team and was also the revelation player, because in his few years, “Pajarito” showed a strange maturity for the time, putting the team on his shoulder when the situation was difficult, facing and taking advantage of his great shot He made a great duet in the midfield along with Miguel Ángel Castillo, another team emblem.

His great performances on the team catapulted him to play be transfered to Italy, where he developed a great career. When he returned to Chile, Colo Colo hired hime, however still some nostalgic fanatic never discard ‘Pajarito’ could come back to get retire in Club Deportivo Palestino.

 

Eros Pérez (1994-2000)

Revista Don Balon Todo Futbol 1999

This is another of those player formed at home, making his debut in the first team in 1994. Eros Pérez occupied the left back or left-wing. As a projection player, he was transfered in 2000 to Internacional of Porto Alegre in Brazil, where he played just a little bit due to an injury, but he was succesfully for going to the Argentinian league where several teams hired him. In Club Deportivo Palestino, Eros was a side player that in those years broke the schemes, because he didnt hesitated to engage in offensive work, thanks to his aerobic capacity that allowed him to come and back in the court.

Source: Jorge Elias

Miguel Angel ‘Mágico’ Castillo
(1992-1994, 1996-1999, 2001)

Revista Don Balon Todo Futbol 1998

This is another great player born in Club Deportivo Palestino´s youth series and his time through Palestino is divided into three stages: His debut in 1991 to his leaving in 94;  his return from 1996 to 1999 and his last return in 2001. It should be noted that in every stage he was noticed for being a midfielder who managed the ball with elegance, however it was in two stages where he got his better football on the team, like year 99, the best year in the 90s decade for the team, which Club Deportivo Palestino classified to the playoffs of 8 best teams who disputed the championship, and he was responsible for that, because along with Jaime Valdés were an ideal duet in the midfield: ‘Pajarito’ was the recipient and best partner for the “Magico” to display all its capacity, and Palestino enjoyed some protagonism, so limited in the 90s.

Source: El Hincha de Cartón, ‘Los mejores mediocampistas de Palestino’, 2016-05-22
http://elhinchadecarton.blogspot.cl/2016/05/los-mejores-mediocampistas-de-palestino.html

 

Agustín ‘Cucho’ Salvatierra (1996-2000)

Revista Don Balon Todo Futbol 1996

‘Cucho’ as he was nicknamed, has full identification with Colo Colo (team that formed him), however deserves its place in this list, because it was one of the central pillars in the rise that Club Deportivo Palestino had in the ungrateful 90’s. He arrived to the team in 1996 and was fundamental in avoiding rival attempts, helping to the team to keep the category, thanks to his good rejection, timely mark and making strong mark when it was necessary.

However, everything was not bad in the 1990s (although most of it was) and in 1999, Club Deportivo Palestino did a good job, that earned the team a place in the group of the first 8 that would dispute the title in a playoffs, as well as in that year team managed to defeating Colo Colo by 3 to 1 as visit, where Salvatierra next to the goalkeeper Cauterucci were the men of match of that victory. Already in the year 2000, the team would keep a solid line commanded with Salvatierra and allowed it to get results that were worth disputing the championship playoffs that would permit to classifying to international tournaments.

Source: El Hincha de Cartón, ‘Los 5 mejores defensas de Palestino’, 2016-03-06
http://elhinchadecarton.blogspot.cl/2016/03/los-5-mejores-defensas-de-palestino.html

 

Leonardo Cauteruchi (1999-2002)

Leonardo Cauteruchi en Palestino, 2002

The ungrateful 90s decade (perhaps were the worst decade of the team’s history), going from the middle to the bottom of the positions table and with a crisis in the goalkepping because there was not goalkeeper who offered safety, just maybe some temporary cases like Javier Zeoli (criticized in many Argentine media, but in Club Deportivo Palestino that is where we are interested, he played in a good way) until in 1999 came an unknown argentinian goalkeeper to take over the team’s goal. Leonardo Cauteruchi, whose arrival also coincided in that we had the best year of the unfortunate years 90. We managed to achieve some remarkable results like that 3 -1 to Colo Colo as visit or when they almost defeated Universidad de chile and its undefeated record on that decade.

Leonardo Cauteruchi stood out for his safety and excellent reflexes, a great trapping centers, but in addition to his sports skills, stands out for his identification with the Palestine cause and even he used the map in his t-shirt (in the chest) and also a Palestine map tattoo on his arm, adding that under the three sticks, the team managed to qualify after many years to compete in the Copa Libertadores playoffs 2001, qualifying for the 2002 Copa Libertadores playoffs and in his final year with the ‘tricolores’, he made a remarkable campaign, only loosing a game in the regular phase (against Universidad Catolica), falling in the phase of play off in quarterfinal vs Rangers (draws in both duels, the goal of visit favored to the piducanos), fact that not Disgraced at all his performance with the squad and for his deep connection with the Palestinian cause we are really gratefull.

Source: El Hincha de Cartón, ‘Los 5 mejores arqueros de Palestino’, 2015-01-29
http://elhinchadecarton.blogspot.cl/2015/01/los-5-mejores-arqueros-de-palestino-por.html

Period 2001-2010

Felipe Nuñez (2004-2014)

Comienzo de Palestino 2-1 Cobresal,
Campeonato Apertura 2014 Scotiabank, 2014-05-11
 

One of the last great idols of Club Deportivo Palestino. He arrived in 2004 and was until 2014, 11 years on the team where he lived everything, he was about to touch glory, being one of the responsible players to bringin Club Deportivo Palestino to a final match in 2008 after 22 year. By other hand,  in other several occasions he saw the abyss of relegation closely, he was the responsible for avoiding the last positions on the table, like that time in 2009 when the team defeated San Marcos de Arica in penalty series in a heart-stopping relegation playoffs.

A goalkepper with good reflexes, a good cutter of centering passes and with charisma, this last thing that made him the player (without palestinian origins) that had a great identification and has with the Palestine cause, fact that it was worth to him to be a kind of ambassador of the team and traveling to Palestine to see all the reality there.

Source: El Hincha de Cartón, ‘Los 5 mejores arqueros de Palestino’, 2015-01-29
http://elhinchadecarton.blogspot.cl/2015/01/los-5-mejores-arqueros-de-palestino-por.html

 

Christian ‘Quili’ Vilches (2004-2008)

Palestino v/s Colo Colo , Final partido de ida, Clausura de 2008. Lucas Barrios, jugador de Colo-Colo, disputa el balón con Christian Vilches. 14/12/2008. Santiago, Chile
Montecinos/FotoSport

In 2004, he came from Deportes Quilicura of the Third Division, when Club Deportivo Palestino coach at that time, Nicola Hadwa, took him to play the with the team.

He kept playing in Palestino until in mid-2005 he was loaned to Unión La Calera of the Primera B Division, where he played the second half of that year, to return to Palestino. Vilches was playing as midfielder, but the Coach at that time, Luis Musrri, repositioned him to the central defense during 2008, and was a great success, as he was one of the important figures of the team until losing the final of the closure ournament against Colo Colo that same year.

Due to a bad management, it was not renewed that same 2008 and in 2009 was hired by Audax Italiano.

 

Roberto ‘Tito’ Bishara (2001-2004, 2005-2013)

See in category Palestinian Origin Players

 

Roberto Kettlun (2002-2003, 2005)

Roberto Kettlun in 2005

See in category Palestinian Origin Players

 

Roberto ‘Pelao’ Avalos (1998-2002, 2007-2013, 2015-2016)

Midfielder with defensive skills with an outstanding struggling spirit, played for Palestino on three periods: 1998-2002, 2007-2013 and 2015-2016. Born on the team youth divisions, his career was interrupted by a sentence of 4 years in prison. Once he was released from his conviction, Club Deportivo Palestino opened the doors to him to come back to the professionalism, giving back that gesture with a commitment that led him to be one of the idols of the team, especially in the years 2008 and 2009, in the final of the First Division Tournament and in the fight for not getting relegated, respectively.

Source: Harold Benson

Francisco ‘Paco’ Ibañez (2006, 2008-2009)

Unión Española 1-3 Palestino, Campeonato Clausura, 2008-09-14

Forward who had two periods in Club Deportivo Palestino: 2006 and 2008-2009. Incisive player in the rival area, with good speed and acceleration, earns his affection on the supporters during the final match of the Clausura Tournament of 2008 against Colo Colo, after starting a run from the midfield alone and overcoming three rivals to defeat the goalkeeper of Colo Colo and reaching the draw of the first leg at that time.

 

Period 2010-present

 

Rodrigo Riquelme (2009-2014)

This Paraguaian player arrived to Club Deportivo Palestino on the second half of 2009. The reason why he plays a prominent role in this list alongside stars who won titles or fought tournaments, it is simple: when Riquelme arrived to the team, it was immersed in a football crisis that was taking the team straight to the relegation, a team without soul, without ideas, very confused. A team where it just played only 3 or 4 players, and the rest was just jumping to the field, waiting for the torture to end, in such an adverse scenario was that Riquelme managed to become a leader and assert a completely dismembered defense.

A defender with good head shot, with scoring skills (as he also went up and managed to score Some vital goals in that nefarious campaign) and excellent coverings, proved to have warrior blood becoming for 5 years the undisputed leader of the last defensive line. Riquelme will be not forgotten by the team fans, because, as we said true men are seen in adverse situations and the ‘Paragua’ proved his class and being vital in keeping the category at a time when the decline would have been fatal.

Source: El Hincha de Cartón, ‘Los 5 mejores defensas de Palestino’, 2016-03-06
http://elhinchadecarton.blogspot.cl/2016/03/los-5-mejores-defensas-de-palestino.html

 

Diego Chaves (2012-2013, 2015)

Uruguaian forward who came from the Chicago Fire (United States) in 2012. He had a difficult begining, because Palestino was in relegation playoffs positions and did not enjoy to be considered on the titular line up. However after the dismissal of the Uruguaian coach Daniel Carreño and the arrival of Emiliano Astorga, Diego started a sweet romance with the team, which led him to convert a total of 28 goals. This fact was worth being sent on loan to O’Higgins, a team which would play on Copa Libertadores Tournament. After his return to Palestino, converting 8 goals in the tournament to finally leave to Argentina, he is remembered by the fans as a fierce striker whose main characteristic was to always look for the rival area to as it gives place, and also demonstrated of his skills with controlled ball, feature that took to be used also like a creation midfielder.

Source: Jorge Elias

 

Leonardo Valencia (2013, 2014-2015, 2016-2017)

Multifunctional offensive midfielder, which has been for 3 periods in Club Deportivo Palestino (he has been loaned to Santiago Wanderers and Universidad de Chile). This is a wing that is not just a wing. But he is not only a runner by the side of the court, although his habitat is the band, he knows how to centralize to distribute the game, like a midfielder, but a midfielder that is stuck to the line to expand the court. He gives a passes with precision on side to side of the field, but he is not only a striker. He has been a very important player, specially in the Copa Sudamericana 2016, when Palestino defeated the powerful team Flamengo in Brazil with a shot that surprised the goalkeeper and has also been nominated to the chilean national team for playing some matches.

Source: ‘Leonardo Valencia, el “futbolista total” de Palestino’, Diego Sancho, 2016-11
http://www.lapizarradeldt.com/2016/11/leonardo-valencia-el-futbolista-total.html

 

Agustín Farías (2014-2017)

Argentinian defensive midfielder brought by the coach Pablo Guede in 2014, and he has been fundamental for the team in the recovery work of balls on the court. He played in Copa Libertadores 2015 and Copa Sudamericana 2016 where he reached the quarterfinals and the team was defeated by San Lorenzo de Almagro.

Because his leadership skills, he has been the team captain on several matches. He has earned the respect of the team and affection of the fanatics, and an image of thim was actually painted on one of the walls on the Municipal Stadium of La Cisterna, alongside other idols of the club, such as Oscar Fabbiani, Roberto Coll among others.

 

Dario Melo (2011-2013, 2014-Present)

Goalkeeper formed in the youth divisions of Club Deportivo Palestino, makes his professional debut in the year 2012. He was the titular goalkeeper of the U-20 chilean national team in the World Cup U-20 category of Turkey 2013. After a brief passage through Deportes Temuco, he struggled for a position on the line up until consolidating in the team, defending the ‘tricolor’ goal in the Copa Libertadores 2015. A Goalkeeper with qualities of great reflexes and elegant attitude, has gained in the last times sobriety under the three sticks.

Source: Harold Benson

 

Esteban Carvajal (2013-2017, 2020)

A multi-functional player who can play on the right wing and as well as defensive midfielder. Formed on the youth divisions of Unión San Felipe, he arrives on Palestino in 2013, being part of the squad that participated in Copa Libertadores 2015 and Copa Sudamericana 2016 and 2017. He was also nominated for the Chilean national team in World Cup Russia 2018 qualifications. His natural defensive skills complemented him with a great vision to generate a clean counterattacks with controlled ball control or with accurated passes.

Source: Harold Benson

 

Paulo Diaz (2013-2015)

Central back formed in the Club Deportivo Palestino minor series. He made his debut in the first team in 2013. With the ‘tricolores’, he disputed the campaign of Copa Libertadores 2015, a performance that allowed the argentinian team San Lorenzo de Almagro to hiring him, A player of good height, he is able to win balls in areal situations, as well as he has good control of the ball at his feet.

Source: Harold Benson

 

Felipe Campos (2012-2016)

Right-wing side formed in Club Deportivo Palestino, with great projection, being part of the ‘golden U-19 generation’ of 2012, along with Alejandro Contreras, Paulo Diaz, among others. The year 2012, staying in the club until 2016, the year in which he is hired by Colo Colo. His performance in Palestino had its highest moment in 2014 and 2015, years in which the team achieves one of his best campaigns and qualified for Copa Libertadores 2015 after more than 30 years of wait. The characteristics of Campos make him a player of great projection are his raids in attack and have great ball control, features which are worth to him to be used as a starting midfielder on the right. A player who in Palestino showed all his virtues and great commitment in each game.

Source: Jorge Elias

 

Alejandro Contreras (2013-2016)

Natural Left-back, with ability to playing as a central defender. He was formed in the youth series of Club Deportivo Palestino and made his professional debut in 2013 for the team. He participated in the campaign of Palestino on Copa Libertadores 2015, so then he emigrated in 2016 to Universidad de Chile. Player able to play in both areas, stands out for its speed, marks and ball delivery.

Source: Harold Benson

 

Renato ‘Tiburón’ Ramos (2014-2015)

The 35-year-old ‘Tiburón’ was, along with Oscar Fabbiani, Marcelo Corrales and Roberto Coll, an example of how talent is not lost over the years. Formed in Everton, played in several teams like Unión Española, Universidad de Concepción, Bolívar, Audax, Ñublense, San Marcos de Arica and Lota Schwager, arriving to Palestino in 2014, being one of the team icons and reaching his 100 goals in his professional career.

In the Copa Libertadores 2015, he scored an important goal against Nacional de Montevideo, which meant qualifying of Club Deportivo Palestino to the group stage, where the team played against Deportivo Zamora (Venezuela), Montevideo Wanderers (Uruguay) and Boca Juniors (Argentina).

Source: El Hincha de Cartón, ‘Los mejores delanteros de Palestino’, 2015-03-04
http://elhinchadecarton.blogspot.cl/2015/03/los-mejores-delanteros-de-palestino.html

Roberto ‘Pájaro’ Gutiérrez (2013-2014, 2017-2019)

Delantero formado en la Universidad Católica, quien llegó a palestino por primera vez para el torneo de apertura del año 2013 procedente de Colo-Colo, club en el cual no tuvo su mejor temporada, en parte debido a una dura lesión en el hombro que lo alejó de las canchas y por las escasas oportunidades que tuvo de jugar en el equipo albo.

En su primera temporada con los árabes ‘Pájaro’ volvió a brillar y demostrar porque en algún momento fue seleccionado chileno. En aquel torneo, Roberto Gutiérrez anotó 9 goles en 17 partidos, siendo clave para el ataque de palestino y pilar fundamental del repunte del equipo, ya que de sus goles se abrieron chances como disputar liguillas para entrar a copas internacionales, situación muy ajena para Palestino acostumbrado a sufrir en la parte baja de la tabla.

A inicios del 2014 y luego de anotar 4 goles en tres partidos fue vendido al fútbol mexicano.

2014-04-01 Roberto Gutierrez marca el 1-0 fuente a Everton
Fecha 01 Campeonato Clausura 2013-2014
Fuente: CDF
Link: https://www.cdf.cl/cdf/recuerdos-cdf/el-cachetazo-de-fantasia-del-pajaro-gutierrez/2019-01-04/153311.html

El 2017 desde su vuelta al club hasta fines de 2019, fue pieza clave en el ataque de palestino, siendo goleador del equipo. Goles que han servido tanto para salvar al equipo del descenso, como para disputar copas internacionales. Así como también fue clave en que palestino pudiese ser campeón de copa Chile después de 40 años, logró que lo inscribe con letras doradas en la historia de la institución.

Las características del ‘Pájaro’ son aguantar el balón que lo convierte en uno de los jugadores más complejos de marcar en el medio nacional, buen remate, excelente capacidad de regate y buen cabezazo, todo eso complementado por su olfato goleador que lo hace estar presente en los momentos justos para anotar.

Source: Jorge Elias

Luis ‘Mago’ Jiménez (2001-2002, 2018-2019, 2020-presente)

El caso de Luis Jiménez es especial. Jugador formado en palestino, debutó siendo muy joven en el equipo adulto, sin embargo no alcanzó a demostrar con la camiseta árabe todo su potencial, ya que había sido vendido al fútbol italiano.

Emigró a Europa donde se desarrolló como profesional. Jugando en diversos clubes, como la Ternana Calcio donde brillaría y le valdría ser traspasado a la Fiorentina, club donde también tendría una participación destacada lo que le valió ser contratado por la Lazio, y luego por el Inter de Milán. También tuvo pasos por Inglaterra (West Ham United) para volver a Italia al Parma y Cesena, en este último cumpliendo una destacada participación lo que le valió ser tentado por el Fútbol árabe.

Llegó a Al-Ahli de Emiratos Árabes cumpliendo una participación destacada, siendo uno de los pilares del equipo durante 4 años. Al Nasr se fija en el talento de Luis Jiménez fichándolo, y con ellos también cumple una destacada campaña y emigra a Qatar, jugando en Qatar por Al arabi, Al Gharafa y Qatar SC.

Por todo aquello es que su regresó al equipo sorprendió, además llegó en un momento delicado al equipo de Palestino, en pleno 2018 peleando el descenso, pero también luchando por obtener la Copa Chile. Al momento en que llega, el equipo era dirigido por Sebastian Méndez y atravesando una crisis futbolística que lo tenía sin conocer triunfos durante largas 11 fechas traducidas en meses.

Sin embargo, a falta de 5 fechas para el final y con equipo condenado al descenso llega al equipo Ivo Basay, y Luis Jiménez vuelve a su posición natural que es la de ser el creador de juego, jugando con libertad logrando demostrar que su apodo de ‘Mago’ no es por nada y gracias a su juego desequilibrante, Palestino logra escapar del descenso y a su vez también logra ser campeón de la Copa Chile 2018, jugando una final que será recordada por generaciones, pues cuando Audax Italiano el otro finalista, se había posicionado en el terreno de juego envalentonado por el empate conseguido luego de ir 0 a 2 abajo, apareció el ‘Mago’ eludiendo rivales desde mitad de cancha y remata a la entrada del área con una violencia que dejó sin opción al portero audino. Con esa jugada resumió toda su carrera futbolística, demostró todas sus características de regate, control del balón y remate, cualidades que lo tuvieron en Europa, también como seleccionado nacional.

También fue pieza clave en obtener un cupo en la fase de grupos de la Copa Libertadores 2019, después de eliminar a dos durísimos rivales como lo fueron el Independiente de Medellín y Talleres de Córdoba. Sin duda el equipo sería otro sin Luis Jiménez ya que su presencia no solo aporta calidad de juego, sino también transmite confianza al resto de sus compañeros. Otra cosa a destacar es su plena conciencia que Palestino representa más que un club de fútbol, concepto que deja plasmado en cada declaración que da luego de algún partido importante, teniendo presente que dar alegrías a una nación a 13 mil kilómetros de distancia es también una motivación extra.

Source: Jorge Elias.

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