Chilean · Valparaiso, Chile · Born 25 October 1946Three-time South American Footballer of the Year and widely regarded as the finest defender South America has ever produced.
Elías Ricardo Figueroa Brander was born on 25 October 1946 in Valparaíso, Chile, and began playing football with Deportivo Alto Florida and Deportivo Liceo before joining the youth ranks of his hometown club, Santiago Wanderers, in 1962. He developed into a commanding, elegant sweeper renowned for his positional intelligence and reading of the game, qualities that set him apart from the more physical defenders of his era. Figueroa moved to Uruguay's Peñarol in 1967, where he was twice named the country's best player, before an even more successful spell at Brazil's Internacional from 1972 to 1976, during which he won multiple Brazilian championships and was voted South American Footballer of the Year three consecutive times, from 1974 to 1976 — a run of individual dominance matched by very few defenders in the sport's history. Figueroa returned to Chile with Palestino, twice being named the country's best player, before a spell in the United States with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers and a final season with Colo-Colo. He represented Chile at three World Cups, in 1966, 1974, and 1982, captaining his country and becoming the standard against which subsequent generations of Chilean defenders were measured. In 2004, Pelé named Figueroa among the 125 greatest living footballers as part of FIFA's centenary celebrations, and the IFFHS ranked him the eighth-best South American player and 37th-best player in the world of the 20th century. After retiring, he moved into management, taking charge of Santiago Wanderers, Palestino, and Brazil's Internacional.
Only player to win South American Footballer of the Year three consecutive times
He won the South American Footballer of the Year award three consecutive times (1974, 1975, 1976) — a feat that had never been achieved before and remains a monument to his sustained excellence.
Did You Know?How They Played
Elegant sweeper with exceptional technical ability, aerial prowess and leadership
Lasting Impact
Considered the greatest South American defender and one of Chile's finest footballers
Career Honours
- S. Am. Footballer of the Year 1974, 1975, 1976
- Copa Libertadores 1979, 1980
- Intercontinental Cup 1979, 1980
- Copa América 1979
| Club | Period | Fee | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santiago Wanderers | 1964–1966 | — | 54 | 0 |
| Unión La Calera | 1964–1964 | loan | 30 | 0 |
| Peñarol | 1967–1972 | — | 214 | 7 |
| Internacional | 1972–1976 | — | 336 | 27 |
| Palestino | 1977–1980 | — | 118 | 6 |
| Fort Lauderdale Strikers | 1981–1981 | — | 22 | 0 |
| Colo-Colo | 1981–1982 | — | 17 | 0 |
 Chile | — | — | 47 | 2 |
Chilean Athletes