Don Elías Figueroa is a Chilean footballer born in Valparaíso in 1946. A decorated central defender, he secured 22 titles across his two-decade career in Chile, Uruguay, Brazil, and the United States. He is best known as a three-time South American Footballer of the Year and for his appearances in three FIFA World Cups for the Chilean national team.
Elías Ricardo Figueroa Brander emerged from the youth system of Santiago Wanderers in 1962 to become one of the most decorated central defenders in football history. Across a professional career spanning two decades, he secured 22 titles while competing for clubs in Chile, Uruguay, Brazil, and the United States, earning recognition for his tactical composure and defensive anticipation.
Early Career and Uruguayan Success
Born in Valparaíso on 25 October 1946, Figueroa entered the first division of Chilean professional football with Santiago Wanderers at age 16. Following a loan spell at Unión La Calera in 1964, his performances garnered international attention. In 1967, he joined the Uruguayan club Peñarol. During his tenure, he helped the team secure the Uruguayan Championship in 1967, 1968, and 1969. His influence was immediate; he was voted the best player in the Uruguayan league for three separate seasons.
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Figueroa joined the Brazilian club Internacional de Porto Alegre in 1972, entering a period of sustained success. He secured five Campeonato Gaúcho titles and back-to-back Brazilian league championships in 1975 and 1976. During these years, he was awarded the Bola de Ouro as the Brazilian Player of the Year in both 1975 and 1976. He gained acclaim for the 1975 final against Cruzeiro, where he headed the decisive goal in a match famously remembered for a singular streak of sunlight.
International Representation
Between 1966 and 1982, Figueroa earned 47 caps for the Chilean national team. He participated in three FIFA World Cups: 1966 in England, 1974 in Germany, and 1982 in Spain. During the 1974 tournament, he was named to the World Cup all-star team. He also captained Chile to a third-place finish in the 1967 South American Championship and a runner-up position in the 1979 Copa América.
Style and Later Years
Known as Don Elías, he played as a sweeper, distinguished by his ability to read opposition movements and initiate counterattacks with precise passing. He returned to Chile in 1977 to win consecutive National Championships with Palestino. After a brief stint in the North American Soccer League with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers in 1981, he finished his career at Colo-Colo, retiring in 1982. He was named Chilean Sportsman of the Year in 1981.
Fast facts
- Born: 25 October 1946, Valparaíso, Chile
- Primary Position: Central Defender
- South American Footballer of the Year: 1974, 1975, 1976
- Chilean Sportsman of the Year: 1981
- FIFA World Cup appearances: 1966, 1974, 1982
- Total career titles: 22
- International caps: 47
- Retirement: 1982
Questions readers ask
Which major individual awards did Elías Figueroa receive?
He was named South American Footballer of the Year three times (1974–1976) and Brazilian Player of the Year twice (1975, 1976).
How many World Cups did Figueroa participate in?
He appeared in three FIFA World Cups representing Chile: 1966, 1974, and 1982.
