Chilean · Temuco, Chile · Born 24 December 1974Lethal Chilean striker nicknamed 'El Matador' who terrorised defences across South America and Italy during the late 1990s and early 2000s.
José Marcelo Salas Melinao was born on 24 December 1974 in Temuco, in Chile's Araucanía Region, an area with a significant Mapuche indigenous population, and began playing for local club Deportes Temuco before joining Universidad de Chile in 1991. He quickly earned the nickname "El Matador" for his cold-blooded finishing, popularising a signature goal celebration that became his trademark throughout his career. Salas won back-to-back Chilean league titles with Universidad de Chile before moving to Argentina's River Plate in 1996, where he is considered, alongside Uruguayan Enzo Francescoli, one of the greatest foreign players in the club's history. He joined Italy's Lazio in 1998, where he became adored by supporters, scoring memorable goals against both Juventus and rivals AC Milan, and the crowd's chant declaring they didn't need Ronaldo because they had "the Matador" became one of Serie A's most memorable terrace anthems. Salas represented Chile at the 1998 World Cup in France, scoring four goals in four matches to help his country reach the second round, and later played for Juventus before a loan return to River Plate and a final homecoming to Universidad de Chile, where he retired in 2008. Salas is widely considered the greatest striker in Chilean football history, and after retiring became involved in club administration, serving as president of both Unión Temuco and Deportes Temuco, continuing his connection to the region where his career began.
Being Chile's all-time leading goalscorer for many years
He scored 37 goals in 70 appearances for Chile — a national record at the time — and starred alongside Iván Zamorano in one of South America's most feared striking partnerships.
Did You Know?How They Played
Clinical finisher with excellent positioning, aerial ability and composed temperament in the box
Lasting Impact
Considered one of Chile's greatest ever footballers and top South American striker of late 1990s
Career Honours
- Serie A 2000 (Lazio)
- Copa Libertadores 1996
- Serie A 2000
| Club | Period | Fee | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Universidad de Chile | 1993–1996 | $15m | 77 | 50 |
| River Plate | 1996–1998 | $15m | 53 | 24 |
| Lazio | 1998–2001 | — | 79 | 34 |
| Juventus | 2001–2006 | $15m | 18 | 2 |
| River Plate | 2003–2005 | loan | 32 | 10 |
| Universidad de Chile | 2005–2006 | loan | 38 | 18 |
| Universidad de Chile | 2006–2008 | $15m | 44 | 19 |
 Chile | — | — | 70 | 37 |
Chilean Athletes