Shining bright like a diamond! Soccer stars of Chile, Peru and Ecuador
By Globaltimes.cn, Published: 2016-11-16 18:09:41
Ivan Zamorano, a striker in his playing days, is regarded as one of Chile’s most decorated soccer players. Nicknamed “Bam Bam” and “Ivan el Terrible,” Zamorano scored 34 goals in 69 appearances for his country. In 2004, he was included in the FIFA 100, Brazilian legend Pelé’s list of the “greatest living soccer players.” Zamorano played for several clubs, including Real Madrid and Inter Milan. During his spell in Milan, he was originally Inter’s premier striker, wearing his favorite No.9 shirt. In 1998, Roberto Baggio joined Inter from Bologna, and he wanted No.10, which belonged to Brazilian great Ronaldo. In the end Ronaldo gave up No.10 and took No.9, leaving Zamorano to wear a shirt bearing the number “1+8”, reminding the world that he was still a top striker in his own right. Photo: Claudio Villa - Inter/Getty Images/CFP
Editor's Note:
Soccer is the most popular pastime and sport across South America. The national teams of Chile, Peru and Ecuador have long shone on the international stage, producing well-known stars loved by fans from around the world. Let’s take a brief look at some of the biggest names in soccer from Chile, Peru and Ecuador. (Source: lesports.com/sports.sina.com/sports.163.com)
Chilean striker Marcelo Salas (left) celebrates with teammate Ivan Zamorano after scoring in their World Cup group game against Italy on June 11, 1998 in Bordeaux, France. The pair are one of the world’s greatest strike duos in history. Capped 70 times, Salas is Chile’s all-time top scorer with 37 goals, and was voted as South American Footballer of the Year in 1997. Photo: Clive Brunskill /Allsport/CFP 
Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez is today one of the world’s best soccer players. He cost Barcelona 25 million pounds when joining from Udinese in 2011, making him the most expensive player in Chilean soccer history. In 2014 Arsenal paid a reported 31.7 million pounds to secure him, and he became the third-most expensive signing in the Gunners’ history after Mesut Ozil and Granit Xhaka. Sanchez has played 100 times for Chile, and is the country’s second-most capped player after goalkeeper Claudio Bravo. He is now his country’s third top scorer of all time with 34 goals. Photo: Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images/CFP 
Arturo Vidal is widely considered as one of the best midfielders in soccer. The Chilean won the Serie A title in each of his four seasons with Italian giants Juventus. In July 2015, he joined Bayern Munich on a four-year deal for a fee of 37 million euros. He has played over 80 times for the Chilean national team since his debut in 2007. Photo: Christof Stache/CFP 
Chile's Eduardo Vargas chases the ball during his Russia 2018 World Cup qualifier against Bolivia in Santiago on September 6, 2016. Having played in La Liga and the Premier League, Eduardo Vargas now plays for Bundesliga’s TSG 1899 Hoffenheim. The 26-year-old has earned 60 caps for Chile, scoring 31 goals. He was Chile’s top scorer in Chile’s victories at the 2015 Copa America and Copa America Centenario in 2016. Photo: CFP 
At the age of 38, Peruvian striker Claudio Pizarro is still playing for Bundesliga club Werder Bremen. Renowned for his goal scoring ability, especially when heading the ball, Pizarro has had two spells at Bayern Munich and three at Werder Bremen, winning 19 major trophies. He has played for Peru at four Copa America tournaments since becoming a full international in 1999. Photo: Stuart Franklin/Bongarts/Getty Images/CFP 
Jefferson Farfan mainly plays as a forward or winger. The Peruvian international is known for his speed and technical ability, and was one of the best playmakers during his seven years in the Bundesliga with Schalke 04. He left Schalke to join UAE’s Al Jazira Club in 2015, and is now a free agent after his contract was terminated in October 2016. As an important player for the Peruvian national team, Farfan has played more than 70 times for his country scoring 22 goals. Photo: Raul Sifuentes/LatinContent/Getty Images/CFP 
Antonio Valencia now plays for English Premier League giants Manchester United as a right back or winger. With the Red Devils, the Ecuadorian has won two Premier League titles, one FA Cup and one League Cup. Valencia has earned over 80 caps and scored 10 goals for his country. Photo: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images/CFP 
Agustin Delgado (left) of Ecuador competes for the ball with England’s John Terry during their 2006 World Cup round of 16 match on June 25, 2006 in Stuttgart, Germany. Agustin Delgado played 71 games for Ecuador and is the country’s all-time top scorer with 31 goals. Photo: CFP