Top 10 Greatest Chilean Footballers of All Time
Chile has produced some truly remarkable football talent through the decades, with players known for their fierce style and significant impact on both club and country. This list ranks the top 10 Chilean football legends based on their achievements, longevity, and influence on the game.
10. Carlos Caszely
Carlos Caszely was a standout forward in Chile from the early 1970s to mid-1980s. He became an icon at CSD Colo-Colo, scoring a record 208 goals for the club and leading them to five Chilean league titles. Caszely also played in Spain for Levante and RCD Espanyol. For Chile, he earned 49 caps and scored 29 goals.
9. David Pizarro
Known as one of Chile's finest midfielders, David Pizarro excelled as a deep-lying playmaker. His career spanned major clubs like AS Roma, Udinese, Fiorentina, and Inter Milan, with a brief period at Manchester City. He won league titles in Italy and England and appeared 46 times for Chile, contributing to their 2015 Copa America victory.
8. Gary Medel
Gary Medel is a hardworking midfielder and defender who has been vital for Chile since 2007, earning 161 caps and scoring 7 goals. He played key roles in Chile’s back-to-back Copa America wins in 2015 and 2016. At club level, Medel featured prominently in Serie A with Inter Milan and Bologna and currently plays for Boca Juniors in Argentina.
7. Eduardo Vargas
Vargas stands out as a versatile striker with excellent dribbling and finishing skills. Active with Chile since his debut, he has 114 caps and 43 goals. His club career includes stints at Atlético Mineiro, Tigres UNAL, Gremio, Napoli, Valencia, and more. Vargas was the top scorer during Chile’s Copa America triumphs with 10 goals overall.
6. Leonel Sanchez
Leonel Sanchez was Chile’s top scorer at the 1962 World Cup with 4 goals, helping the team finish third on home soil. Known for his powerful left foot, Sanchez played 84 matches for Chile, scoring 23 times. He spent his entire club career in Chile, mainly with CSD Colo-Colo and Universidad de Chile, winning seven league titles.
5. Claudio Bravo
One of South America's finest goalkeepers, Claudio Bravo retired in August 2024 after a long and decorated career. He made history as the oldest player to appear in Copa America in the 21st century at age 41. Bravo earned 150 caps for Chile, winning two Copa America titles, and collected trophies with clubs including Barcelona, Real Sociedad, Manchester City, and Real Betis.
4. Marcelo Salas
Marcelo Salas gained fame through his time at Lazio, River Plate, and Universidad de Chile. Across his career, he scored 100 goals in 272 club appearances, winning leagues in Chile, Italy, and Argentina. For Chile, Salas scored 37 goals in 70 appearances, once holding the record as the nation’s top scorer.
3. Iván Zamorano
Iván Zamorano is celebrated for his prolific scoring and remains the only notable Chilean to have played for Real Madrid. During his spell at Los Blancos, he scored 22 goals in 173 games and won La Liga, Copa del Rey, and the Pichichi Trophy for his 27 goals in the 1994-95 season. Zamorano earned 69 caps for Chile.
2. Alexis Sanchez
Alexis Sanchez is Chile’s all-time leading scorer with 50 goals and holds the record for most caps at 166. Renowned for his pace, skill, and versatility, Sanchez has starred at top clubs including Arsenal, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Manchester United, and currently Udinese Calcio. He has scored over 200 club goals and provided 147 assists worldwide.
1. Arturo Vidal
Arturo Vidal tops this list thanks to his exceptional career and impact over many years. Known as a tenacious box-to-box midfielder, Vidal has played for Juventus, Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, and Inter Milan, winning multiple league titles including 5 Serie A and 3 Bundesliga trophies. With 142 caps and 34 goals for Chile, he was instrumental in their back-to-back Copa America wins in 2015 and 2016. Vidal continues to play professionally for Colo-Colo in Chile.
Summary of Key Players and Stats
- Arturo Vidal: Clubs - Juventus, Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Inter Milan; Trophies - 5x Serie A, 3x Bundesliga, 2x Copa America; Caps - 142
- Alexis Sanchez: Clubs - Arsenal, Inter Milan, Barcelona, Udinese, Manchester United; Trophies - 2x Serie A, 2x Copa America, 2x FA Cup; Caps - 166
- Iván Zamorano: Clubs - Real Madrid, Inter Milan, CF América; Trophies - Europa League, La Liga, Copa del Rey; Caps - 69
- Marcelo Salas: Clubs - Lazio, Universidad de Chile, River Plate, Juventus; Trophies - 3x Serie A, Argentine League, 2x Chilean League; Caps - 70
- Claudio Bravo: Clubs - Real Sociedad, Barcelona, Real Betis, Manchester City; Trophies - 2x Premier League, La Liga, Chilean League, Copa America, UEFA Champions League; Caps - 150
- Leonel Sanchez: Clubs - Universidad de Chile, Colo-Colo; Trophies - 7x Chilean League; Caps - 84
- Eduardo Vargas: Clubs - Atlético Mineiro, Tigres UNAL, Universidad de Chile, Gremio, Hoffenheim, Napoli, Valencia, QPR; Trophies - 2x Copa America, Chilean League, Mexican League, CONCACAF Champions League; Caps - 114
- Gary Medel: Clubs - Inter Milan, Bologna, Sevilla FC, Besiktas; Trophies - 2x Copa America; Caps - 161
- David Pizarro: Clubs - AS Roma, Udinese, Universidad de Chile, Inter Milan; Trophies - Premier League, Serie A, Copa America, Chilean League; Caps - 46
- Carlos Caszely: Clubs - Colo-Colo, Espanyol; Trophies - 5x Chilean League; Caps - 49
Current Situation
Despite this rich history, Chile's national team has faced struggles recently. Since their last World Cup appearance in Brazil 2014, they have failed to qualify for subsequent tournaments. Their position at the bottom of the CONMEBOL qualifiers table for the 2026 World Cup shows the challenges ahead, having won just one game in 10 matches as of October 2024.
