Juan Cortés Contreras (18 June 1938 – 28 June 1998) was a Chilean
footballer
A football player or footballer is a sportsperson who plays one of the different types of football. The main types of football are association football, American football, Canadian football, Australian rules football, Gaelic football, rugby lea ...
who played as an
attacking midfielder
In the sport of association football, a midfielder takes an outfield position primarily in the middle of the pitch. Midfielders may play an exclusively defensive role, breaking up attacks, and are in that case known as defensive midfielders. ...
for clubs in Chile and abroad.
Career
Born in
Santiago
Santiago (, ; ), also known as Santiago de Chile (), is the capital and largest city of Chile and one of the largest cities in the Americas. It is located in the country's central valley and is the center of the Santiago Metropolitan Regi ...
, Chile, Cortés began his professional career with Magallanes in September 1956. In the late 1950s, he and his fellows Héctor Torres and Ricardo Cabrera made up a well remembered attacking trident.
Next, he spent two seasons with
Palestino
The term ''Palestino'' is the Spanish word for "Palestinian". The word "''Palestino''" is used in Cuba as a disparaging nickname for illegal migrants within the country. The nickname is used as a rhetorical device, that compares illegal migrants ...
(1961–62), playing as a
centre forward
In the sport of association football, a forward (attacker or striker) is an outfield position which primarily plays further up the pitch than midfielders and defenders. As with any attacking player, the role of the forward relies heavily on be ...
, and made appearances for
Universidad de Chile
The University of Chile () is a public research university in Santiago
Santiago (, ; ), also known as Santiago de Chile (), is the capital and largest city of Chile and one of the largest cities in the Americas. It is located in the co ...
in international friendlies.
He switched to
Rangers de Talca
Club Social de Deportes Rangers is a Chilean football (soccer), football club based in the city of Talca. The club was founded November 2, 1902 and plays in the Chilean Primera División B, second level of the Chilean football system. Their home g ...
in 1963, staying with them until 1968.
A historical player of Rangers during a successful stint, the club reached the fourth, the fifth and the third place of the
league
League or The League may refer to:
Arts and entertainment
* ''Leagues'' (band), an American rock band
* ''The League'', an American sitcom broadcast on FX and FXX about fantasy football
* ''League of Legends'', a 2009 multiplayer online battle a ...
in 1963, 1964 and 1965, respectively. He was selected as the best player in the club history at the centenary (2002).
After playing for
Unión Española
Club Unión Española S.A.D.P. is a professional football club based in the Independencia neighborhood, commune of Santiago, Chile currently participating in the Primera División de Chile.
History
Foundation, Amateur Era and First seasons
...
in 1969, the next year he moved to Peru. Following a year not playing, he played for
Atlético Deportivo Olímpico
Atlético Deportivo Olímpico is a Peruvian football (soccer), football club, playing in the city of Callao, Lima, Peru.
History
The club was the 1970 Peruvian Segunda División champion.
The club have played at the highest level of Peruvian f ...
(ADO Callao) in 1971 and 1972.
His last clubs were the Ecuadorian clubs and in 1973 and 1974, respectively.
Fernando Riera
Fernando José Riera Bauzá (27 June 1920 – 23 September 2010) was a Chilean professional Association football, football player and manager, patriarch of Chilean football.
Career
Riera was born in Santiago, Chile. As a footballer, he playe ...
in 1960, with views to the
1962 FIFA World Cup
The 1962 FIFA World Cup was the 7th edition of the FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football championship for senior men's national teams. It was held from 30 May to 17 June 1962 in Chile. The qualification rounds took place between ...
Elías Figueroa
Elías Ricardo Figueroa Brander (born 25 October 1946) is a Chilean former footballer who played for several clubs during his long career, notably his hometown club Santiago Wanderers, Brazilian club Internacional and Uruguayan club Peñarol. ...
and
Honorino Landa
Honorino Landa Vera (1 June 1942 – 30 May 1987) was a Chilean footballer who played as a forward.Hugo Tassara, as wells as he took part in the Luis Álamos' coaching process with views to the
1966 FIFA World Cup
The 1966 FIFA World Cup was the eighth FIFA World Cup, a quadrennial Association football, football tournament for men's senior national teams. It was played in England from 11 to 30 July 1966. England defeated West Germany 4–2 in the 1966 FI ...
.
Style of play
Initially a skillful
attacking midfielder
In the sport of association football, a midfielder takes an outfield position primarily in the middle of the pitch. Midfielders may play an exclusively defensive role, breaking up attacks, and are in that case known as defensive midfielders. ...
that used to make assists, he turned into a
central midfielder
In the sport of association football, a midfielder takes an Glossary of association football terms#O, outfield position primarily in the middle of the pitch. Midfielders may play an exclusively defensive role, breaking up attacks, and are in t ...
. In his stint with Palestino, he operated as a centre forward and also as a goalkeeper for a match. As playing skills, he had a strong shot and a very well header.
Personal life
He was known by his party attitude.
As a player of Unión Española, he worked in the shoes factory of Abel Alonso, a club leader. In
Lima
Lima ( ; ), founded in 1535 as the Ciudad de los Reyes (, Spanish for "City of Biblical Magi, Kings"), is the capital and largest city of Peru. It is located in the valleys of the Chillón River, Chillón, Rímac River, Rímac and Lurín Rive ...
, he did
arts and crafts
The Arts and Crafts movement was an international trend in the Decorative arts, decorative and fine arts that developed earliest and most fully in the British Isles and subsequently spread across the British Empire and to the rest of Europe and ...
and served as football coach for children.
He died of a heart attack in Lima, Peru, on 18 June 1998 and was laid to rest in Los Jardines de la Paz cemetery, La Molina.
His wife, Nilda Palacios, has also been honored by Rangers de Talca.