José Velásquez (footballer, born 1952)

José Manuel Velásquez Castillo (born 4 June 1952 in Lima) is a retired Peruvian footballer who played as a midfielder. Nicknamed "El Patrón", he stood out for his elegance, presence, courage and technical play, being recognized as one of the players with the most personality that Peruvian football has given and the best defensive midfielder in the history of his country.[1] He was nominated for the Global Ballon d'Or by FIFA in 1977.[2]

José Velásquez
Velásquez playing for Alianza Lima
Personal information
Full name José Manuel Velásquez Castillo
Date of birth (1952-06-04) 4 June 1952 (age 72)
Place of birth Lima, Peru
Height 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Position(s) Defensive Midfielder
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1971–1978 Alianza Lima (44)
1979 Independiente Medellín
1980–1981 Toronto Blizzard 28 (2)
1982 Independiente Medellín
1982–1984 Alianza Lima 50 (3)
1984–1985 Hércules 12 (0)
1986–1987 Deportes Iquique 29 (8)
1987 Alianza Lima 13 (4)
International career
1972–1985 Peru 82 (12)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Peru
Copa América
Winner 1975
Bronze medal – third place 1979
Bronze medal – third place 1983
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of April 2008

Famed for his elegance, leadership and technical game, along with Víctor Benítez he is recognised as one of Peru's most important defensive midfielders ever.

"El Patrón" was probably the best midfielder defensive player in South America between the late 1970s and early 1980s. He was a containment midfielder with an enormous defensive display, great passing game and strong personality that combined his dominant physical presence with a very technical and elegant game. He formed with Alianza Lima debuting in 1971 at the age of 17 as a central defender, although he was soon positioned in the midfield and became one of the greatest "blue and white" leaders, winning the Peruvian Primera División and integrating one of the best teams in the club's history during the two-time championship in 1977 and 1978. In 1979 he emigrated to Colombia to join Independiente Medellín, in which he coincided with his compatriot Hugo Sotil, and then he also went through the Toronto Blizzard and Hercules of the Spanish First Division.

He was a member of the Peruvian team that won the 1975 Copa América and participated in the World Cup in Argentina 1978, where he reached the quarterfinals of final and Spain 1982 where it was important in the qualifiers to eliminate Uruguay and Colombia.

Club career

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At club level he played for Alianza Lima in Peru, where he was part of three league championship winning campaigns (1975, 1977 & 1978). He also played for Independiente Medellín of Colombia, Hércules CF of Spain and Deportes Iquique of Chile.

International career

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Nicknamed "El Patrón", he played for the Peru national football team that won the Copa América in 1975[3] and competed at the 1978 and 1982 FIFA World Cup, wearing the number six jersey. He played a total of 82 games for Peru between 1972 and 1985, scoring 12 goals.[4]

International goals

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Scores and results table. Peru's goal tally first:[5]
# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 09.02.77 Lima, Peru   Hungary 1–0 3–2 Friendly
2. 09.02.77 Lima, Peru   Hungary 3–1 3–2 Friendly
3. 12.03.77 Lima, Peru   Ecuador 2–1 2–1 World Cup Qualifier
4. 29.05.77 Port-au-Prince, Haiti   Haiti 6–0 6–0 Friendly
5. 17.07.77 Cali, Colombia   Bolivia 1–0 5–0 World Cup Qualifier
6. 17.07.77 Cali, Colombia   Bolivia 3–0 5–0 World Cup Qualifier
7. 11.06.78 Córdoba, Argentina   Iran 1–0 4–1 1978 FIFA World Cup
8. 17.05.82 Lima, Peru   Romania 1–0 2–0 Friendly
9. 24.02.85 Santiago, Chile   Chile 1–1 2–1 Friendly
10. 27.02.85 Montevideo, Uruguay   Uruguay 2–1 2–2 Friendly
11. 23.04.85 Lima, Peru   Uruguay 1–0 2–1 Friendly
12. 30.06.85 Buenos Aires, Argentina   Argentina 1–1 2–2 World Cup Qualifier

Honours

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Club

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Alianza Lima

International

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Peru national football team

References

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  1. ^ "José Velásquez el "Caudillo"". Archived from the original on 16 May 2008. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
  2. ^ "Glavisted: Balón de Oro Global desde 1920". 28 August 2021.
  3. ^ rsssf: Copa América 1975
  4. ^ rsssf: peru record international footballers Archived 2009-02-02 at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ José Velásquez - International Appearances
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