Top 10 Greatest Chilean Footballers Ranked by Achievements and Impact

Top 10 Greatest Chilean Footballers

Chile has produced some remarkable football talent over the years. This list ranks the top 10 Chilean players based on their achievements, influence on the sport, and contributions at both club and international levels.

• Rank: 1Player: Arturo VidalClubs: Juventus, Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Inter MilanNotable Trophies: 5 Serie A titles, 3 Bundesliga titles, 2 Copa America winsChilean Caps: 142
• Rank: 2Player: Alexis SanchezClubs: Arsenal, Inter Milan, Barcelona, Udinese, Manchester UnitedNotable Trophies: 2 Serie A titles, 2 Copa America wins, 2 FA CupsChilean Caps: 166
• Rank: 3Player: Iván ZamoranoClubs: Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Club AméricaNotable Trophies: Europa League, La Liga, Copa del ReyChilean Caps: 69
• Rank: 4Player: Marcelo SalasClubs: Lazio, Universidad de Chile, River Plate, JuventusNotable Trophies: 3 Serie A & Argentine League titles, 2 Chilean League titlesChilean Caps: 70
• Rank: 5Player: Claudio BravoClubs: Real Sociedad, Barcelona, Real Betis, Manchester CityNotable Trophies: 2 Premier League titles, La Liga, Chilean League, Copa America, 1 UEFA Champions LeagueChilean Caps: 150
• Rank: 6Player: Leonel SanchezClubs: Universidad de Chile, Colo-ColoNotable Trophies: 7 Chilean League titlesChilean Caps: 84
• Rank: 7Player: Eduardo VargasClubs: Atletico Mineiro, Tigres UNAL, Universidad de Chile, Gremio, Hoffenheim, Napoli, Valencia, QPRNotable Trophies: 2 Copa America titles, Chilean League, Mexican League, CONCACAF Champions LeagueChilean Caps: 114
• Rank: 8Player: Gary MedelClubs: Inter Milan, Bologna, Sevilla, BesiktasNotable Trophies: 2 Copa America titlesChilean Caps: 161
• Rank: 9Player: David PizarroClubs: AS Roma, Udinese, Universidad de Chile, Inter MilanNotable Trophies: Premier League, Serie A, Copa America, Chilean LeagueChilean Caps: 46
• Rank: 10Player: Carlos CaszelyClubs: Colo-Colo, EspanyolNotable Trophies: 5 Chilean League titlesChilean Caps: 49

Details on Each Player

Carlos Caszely was a legendary striker in the 1970s and 80s, mainly for Colo-Colo where he scored 208 goals, becoming their all-time top scorer and winning five league titles. He also played in Spain and earned 49 caps with 29 goals for Chile.

David Pizarro was a creative midfielder known for his playmaking skills. His European career included time at Roma, Udinese, Fiorentina, and Inter Milan, along with a brief Premier League spell at Manchester City. He won league titles in Italy and England and earned 46 caps for Chile, featuring in their 2015 Copa America win.

Gary Medel has been a key defensive midfielder for Chile since 2007, making 161 appearances and scoring 7 goals. He played for several Serie A teams and currently plays for Boca Juniors. Medel was integral to Chile’s Copa America victories in 2015 and 2016.

Eduardo Vargas is praised for his attacking versatility and goal-scoring ability. With 43 goals in 114 national games, he remains an active force. His club career spans major South American and European teams, scoring over 127 goals overall.

Leonel Sanchez shone in the 1962 World Cup, finishing as the tournament's top scorer with four goals and helping Chile achieve third place. His domestic career was spent with Colo-Colo and Universidad de Chile, winning seven league titles and earning 84 caps.

Claudio Bravo ranks among South America's finest goalkeepers. Retiring in 2024, he holds 150 caps and led Chile to two Copa America titles. His club success includes Premier League, La Liga, and a UEFA Champions League trophy.

Marcelo Salas made his mark at Lazio and Juventus after starting in Chile and Argentina. He tallied 100 goals in 272 club appearances and won leagues in three countries. Internationally, he scored 37 goals in 70 matches.

Iván Zamorano remains Chile’s iconic Real Madrid forward, netting 22 goals in 173 games and winning La Liga, Copa del Rey, and the Pichichi Trophy. He collected 69 caps during his career.

Alexis Sanchez is Chile's most capped player and highest goal scorer, with 166 appearances and 50 goals. Known for his speed and skill, he played for top clubs including Arsenal, Barcelona, and Manchester United, tallying over 200 club goals.

Arturo Vidal leads the list due to his long-standing excellence as a box-to-box midfielder. His trophy haul includes multiple Serie A, Bundesliga, and La Liga titles, plus two Copa America wins. With 142 caps and 34 goals, he still competes professionally with Colo-Colo.

Current Situation of Chilean Football

Chile’s recent form contrasts with its rich football heritage. Since their last World Cup appearance in 2014, they have struggled in qualifiers and face challenges from aging stars and inconsistent performances. As of October 2024, Chile is near the bottom of the CONMEBOL qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, having won just one of ten matches.