Chilean · Santiago, Chile · Born 18 January 1967Prolific and combative Chilean striker nicknamed 'Bam Bam' who was among the most feared forwards in South America and Spain during the 1990s.
Iván Luis Zamorano Zamora was born on 18 January 1967 in Santiago, Chile, and was signed up for a local football team by his father at just three years old. He began his professional career with Cobresal in 1985, helping the club win the Chilean Cup in 1987 with 13 goals, before moving to Switzerland's St. Gallen, where he led the Nationalliga A in scoring during the 1989-90 season. Zamorano moved to Spain in 1991, first with Sevilla and then Real Madrid in 1992, where he became one of La Liga's most prolific strikers, leading the league in scoring with 27 goals in the 1994-95 season and helping the club win the league title and Spanish Cup. Inter Milan signed Zamorano in 1996, and it was there that he created one of football's most memorable pieces of shirt trivia: when new signing Ronaldo Nazário claimed the number 9 shirt Zamorano had long worn, he instead chose number 18, adding a plus sign between the digits on his jersey to read "1+8" — a symbolic tribute to the number he'd been forced to give up that became an iconic image of 1990s football. Nicknamed "Bam Bam" for his powerful physical presence and aerial ability, Zamorano earned dozens of caps for Chile across a 14-year international career and remains one of the most celebrated South American strikers ever to play in Europe, paving the way for the generation of Chilean players who followed him abroad.
Leading Chile to Olympic gold medal in 2000
When Ronaldo took his No. 9 shirt at Inter Milan, Zamorano famously wore the number '1+8' on his back — with a '+' between the digits — as a witty protest.
Did You Know?How They Played
Clinical finisher with excellent positioning and aerial ability
Lasting Impact
Chile's greatest striker and first global football superstar
Career Honours
- La Liga 1995
- Serie A 1998
- Olympic Gold 2000
- UEFA Cup 1998
| Club | Period | Fee | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cobresal | 1985–1988 | — | 45 | 22 |
| Cobreandino | 1985–1986 | loan | 29 | 27 |
| St. Gallen | 1988–1990 | — | 56 | 34 |
| Sevilla | 1990–1992 | — | 59 | 21 |
| Real Madrid | 1992–1996 | — | 137 | 77 |
| Inter Milan | 1996–2001 | — | 101 | 25 |
| América | 2001–2003 | — | 63 | 33 |
| Colo-Colo | 2003–2003 | — | 14 | 8 |
 Chile | — | — | 69 | 34 |
Chilean Athletes