Top 10 Greatest Chilean Footballers of All Time

Chile has produced some remarkable football talents whose impact on the sport is undeniable. From fierce midfielders to lethal strikers and outstanding goalkeepers, these players have shaped Chile's football history and brought glory to both club and country.

The list ranks players based on their club achievements, international appearances, and influence during their careers. Many of these stars were part of Chile’s golden era, including the victorious Copa America teams of 2015 and 2016.

Rankings and Key Stats

• 1. Arturo Vidal: Clubs - Juventus, Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Inter Milan; Notable Trophies - 5 Serie A titles, 3 Bundesliga crowns, 2 Copa America wins; Caps - 142
• 2. Alexis Sanchez: Clubs - Arsenal, Inter Milan, Barcelona, Udinese, Manchester United; Notable Trophies - 2 Serie A titles, 2 Copa America wins, 2 FA Cups; Caps - 166
• 3. Iván Zamorano: Clubs - Real Madrid, Inter Milan, CF América; Notable Trophies - Europa League, La Liga, Copa del Rey; Caps - 69
• 4. Marcelo Salas: Clubs - SS Lazio, Universidad de Chile, River Plate, Juventus; Notable Trophies - 3 Serie A & Argentine league titles, 2 Chilean league titles; Caps - 70
• 5. Claudio Bravo: Clubs - Real Sociedad, Barcelona, Real Betis, Manchester City; Notable Trophies - 2 Premier League titles, La Liga, Chilean league, Copa America, UEFA Champions League; Caps - 150
• 6. Leonel Sanchez: Clubs - Universidad de Chile, Colo-Colo; Notable Trophies - 7 Chilean league titles; Caps - 84
• 7. Eduardo Vargas: Clubs - Atletico Mineiro, Tigres UNAL, Universidad de Chile, Gremio, Hoffenheim, Napoli, Valencia, QPR; Notable Trophies - 2 Copa America wins, Chilean league, Mexican league, CONCACAF Champions League; Caps - 114
• 8. Gary Medel: Clubs - Inter Milan, Bologna, Sevilla, Besiktas; Notable Trophies - 2 Copa America wins; Caps - 161
• 9. David Pizarro: Clubs - AS Roma, Udinese, Universidad de Chile, Inter Milan; Notable Trophies - Premier League, Serie A, Copa America, Chilean league; Caps - 46
• 10. Carlos Caszely: Clubs - Colo-Colo, RCD Espanyol; Notable Trophies - 5 Chilean league titles; Caps - 49

Player Profiles

A legendary figure for Colo-Colo from the 1970s through mid-1980s, Caszely scored a record 208 goals for the club, leading them to five league titles. His natural goal-scoring talent and control made him a standout striker. He also played briefly in Spain with Levante and Espanyol, earning 49 caps and scoring 29 goals for Chile.

One of Chile’s finest midfielders, Pizarro excelled as a deep-lying playmaker. His European career featured stints at AS Roma, Udinese, Fiorentina, and Inter Milan, plus a short spell in England. He won league titles in Italy and England and earned 46 international caps, including being part of the 2015 Copa America-winning squad.

Known for his relentless energy and versatility, Medel has been a pillar for Chile since 2007 with 161 appearances. He played key roles in Chile's back-to-back Copa America victories and built a strong club career mainly in Serie A before moving to Boca Juniors.

Vargas is celebrated for his dribbling, finishing, and adaptability across forward positions. With 114 caps and 43 goals for Chile, he was the top scorer in Chile’s Copa America wins. His club journey spans major South American teams where he amassed over 127 goals.

Famed as the top scorer at the 1962 World Cup, Sanchez helped Chile achieve their best-ever third-place finish. His powerful left foot and attacking style earned him 84 caps and seven national league titles, all while playing domestically.

One of South America's greatest goalkeepers, Bravo retired in 2024 after an illustrious career marked by two Copa America wins and major European trophies including the UEFA Champions League. His leadership and shot-stopping defined his 150 appearances for Chile.

Salas enjoyed success across Chile, Argentina, and Italy, notably with Lazio and Juventus. He scored 100 club goals in 272 matches and netted 37 times in 70 international appearances, once holding Chile’s top scorer record.

A prolific striker for Real Madrid, Zamorano remains the only Chilean to have worn their famous white shirt. He scored 101 club goals, winning La Liga, Copa del Rey, and the Europa League, and gained 69 caps for Chile.

Sanchez is Chile’s most capped player and top scorer with 166 caps and 50 goals. Known for speed, skill, and versatility, he starred at Arsenal, Barcelona, Inter Milan, and others, scoring over 200 club goals in a global career.

Vidal stands out for his longevity and trophy haul, excelling as a box-to-box midfielder with grit and leadership. His club career includes Juventus, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, and Inter Milan, amassing numerous league titles. He has 142 caps and 34 goals, playing a key role in Chile’s continental triumphs.

Current Challenges

Despite this rich history, Chile has struggled lately, failing to qualify for recent World Cups after 2014 and performing poorly in ongoing qualifiers. The team’s aging stars and inconsistency have affected results, leaving Chile at the bottom of the 2026 World Cup qualifying group as of October 2024.