Benji Oldai Villalobos Segovia (born 15 July 1988 in
El Salvador) is a
Salvadoran
Salvadorans (Spanish: ''Salvadoreños''), also known as Salvadorians (alternate spelling: Salvadoreans), are citizens of El Salvador, a country in Central America. Most Salvadorans live in El Salvador, although there is also a significant Salvad ...
professional
goalkeeper
In many team sports which involve scoring goals, the goalkeeper (sometimes termed goaltender, netminder, GK, goalie or keeper) is a designated player charged with directly preventing the opposing team from scoring by blocking or intercepting o ...
.
Club career
UDET
After starting his career at
UDET in 2004.
Universidad Gerardo Barrios
Villalobos played for
Segunda División club Universidad Gerardo Barrios in 2005, before joining
Águila in 2006.
Águila
Although Villalobos had been signed to Águila since 2006, he did not get any game time until 2 May 2008, in a league match against
Alianza. Although Águila lost that game 2–1, Villalobos did very well and proved that he had a lot of potential.
On 15 September 2012, he scored a
penalty kick
A penalty shot or penalty kick is a play used in several sports whereby a goal is attempted during untimed play. Depending on the sport, when a player commits certain types of penalties, the opposition is awarded a penalty shot or kick attempt. ...
against
Isidro Metapán in a 2–3 defeat.
On 22 December 2009, Águila reached the
Apertura 2009 final against
FAS, but lost 2–3, Villalobos did not play.
In the
next tournament, Águila will achieved a new final, but lost against Isidro Metapán 1–3, Villalobos did not play.
On 6 May 2012, Águila won the
Clausura 2012 final against Isidro Metapán (2–1 victory), Villalobos was in goal.
Águila reached the semi-finals of the
Apertura 2012, but lost against Isidro Metapán 3–5 on aggregate.
Águila was two points away from relegation in the
Clausura 2014.
In the
next tournament reached a new final, but lost against Isidro Metapán on penalties, Villalobos was in goal.
Águila reached the Clausura 2016 final, but lost again local rivals
Dragón 0–1, Villalobos was in goal.
On 1 December 2018, Águila reached the semi-finals of the Apertura 2018, after defeating
Audaz 4–3 on aggregate. However, Águila was eliminated by
Santa Tecla F.C. 2–5 on aggregate. In May 2019, Villalobos save two penalties at the Clausura 2019 final against Alianza F.C.
Match-fixing ban
On 10 October 2013, Villalobos was banned for six months due to his involvement with
match fixing.
International career
Villalobos received his first call-up to the
El Salvador national team for the
2010 FIFA World Cup qualification game against
Suriname on 10 September 2008, but did not get any game time. He has since been selected numerous times, but only received his first full men's national team
cap
A cap is a flat headgear, usually with a visor. Caps have crowns that fit very close to the head. They made their first appearance as early as 3200 BC. Caps typically have a visor, or no brim at all. They are popular in casual and informal se ...
when he played in an international friendly against
Guatemala in September 2010, which El Salvador lost two-nil.
He was a non-playing squad member at the
2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup
The 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup was the tenth edition of the CONCACAF Gold Cup competition, and the twentieth soccer championship of North America, Central America and the Caribbean (CONCACAF). It was played from July 3 to 26, 2009 in the United State ...
. However, Villalobos returned to
El Salvador national team in 2017.
Honours
Player
Club
;
C.D. Águila
*
Primera División
** Champion:
Clausura 2012, Clausura 2019
** Runners-up:
Apertura 2009,
Clausura 2010,
Apertura 2014, Clausura 2016
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Villalobos, Benji
1988 births
Living people
People from San Miguel Department (El Salvador)
Men's association football goalkeepers
Salvadoran men's footballers
El Salvador men's international footballers
2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup players
2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup players
2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup players
C.D. Águila footballers
Sportspeople involved in betting scandals