José Luis Chilavert
José Luis Félix Chilavert González (Spanish pronunciation: [xoseˈlwis tʃilaˈβeɾt ɣonˈθaleθ]; born 27 July 1965) is a Paraguayan former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper for Sportivo Luqueño, Guaraní, San Lorenzo de Almagro, Real Zaragoza, Vélez Sarsfield, RC Strasbourg, Peñarol and the Paraguay national team.
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Chilavert in 1985, while playing for Argentine side San Lorenzo | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | José Luis Félix Chilavert González | ||
| Date of birth | 27 July 1965 | ||
| Place of birth | Luque, Paraguay | ||
| Height | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Goalkeeper | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1982–1984 | Sportivo Luqueño | 67 | (4) |
| 1984–1985 | Guaraní | 19 | (1) |
| 1985–1988 | San Lorenzo | 122 | (0) |
| 1988–1991 | Real Zaragoza | 79 | (1) |
| 1991–2000 | Vélez Sarsfield | 266 | (36) |
| 2000–2002 | Strasbourg | 50 | (0) |
| 2002–2003 | Peñarol | 14 | (4) |
| 2003–2004 | Vélez Sarsfield | 0 | (0) |
| Total | 617 | (46) | |
| International career | |||
| 1989–2003 | Paraguay | 74 | (8) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Chilavert won 12 club titles, including the 1994 Copa Libertadores and the 1994 Intercontinental Cup, while playing for Vélez Sarsfield, and is a three-time IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper award winner. A fast and agile shot-stopper, known for his leadership, strong personality, and goalkeeping ability, he was regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world in his prime; outside of his goalkeeping position, Chilavert was also known for his outfield skills and ability as a free kick specialist, and often took penalties. He scored 67 goals in his professional career, many of them crucial, including eight in international matches. Four of his international goals were scored during Paraguay's qualification for the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Chilavert is the second-highest goalscoring goalkeeper of all time, surpassed only by Brazilian keeper Rogerio Ceni, and is one of only three goalkeepers to score a hat-trick. Chilavert was also known for his eccentricity and his fiery temper, which brought him his fair share of controversies; most notorious among them was his being sent off in 1997 for brawling with Colombian striker Faustino Asprilla. He was nicknamed "El Buldog" ("The Bulldog") and often wore a cartoon bulldog on his goalkeeper jersey.
Chilavert appeared for the Paraguay national team 74 times from 1989 to 2003, scoring eight goals and representing the team at five major tournaments. Chilavert appeared for Paraguay at two FIFA World Cup tournaments (1998 and 2002), where he served as captain on both occasions, and appeared in three Copa América tournaments (1991, 1993, and 1997). Chilavert was also included in the 1998 FIFA World Cup Team of the Tournament.
Chilavert ran for president of Paraguay in the 2023 general election under the Party of the Youth, getting less than 1% of the popular vote.