Roberto Palacios


Roberto Carlos Palacios Mestas is a Peruvian former professional footballer who played as a midfielder.
Palacios is Peru's record cap holder and played most of his career for Sporting Cristal, which was the team he started his career and later retired with at the end of the 2011 [Sporting Cristal season|2011 season].

Early life

Roberto Palacios grew up in the Chorrillos District in Lima. Palacios was introduced to soccer at an early age by his soccer-loving dad, and he played on regional teams in his early years.

Club career

Palacios became a player of Sporting Cristal, where he played in his youth. Palacios made his debut with Sporting Cristal in 1991, when his team faced Deportivo Municipal in late October 1991. Palacios then scored his first goal in the following week against Universitario de Deportes. Palacios was a successful player, and scored many goals for both his clubs and the National Team.
He is nicknamed "El Chorrillano" or "Chorri". He was regarded, at his peak, by some as one of the best Peruvian players of the 90's. In Peru, Palacios has only played for one club, Sporting Cristal. Outside of Peru he has played for several clubs such as Puebla F.C., Cruzeiro Esporte Clube, Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara, Monarcas Morelia, Deportivo Cali and Liga Deportiva Universitaria de Quito from Ecuador. While playing for LDU Quito, "Chorri" was involved in a fight and got suspended. This was caused because he scored a chalaca goal.

International career

"Chorri" was well known for his amazing 'chorrigolazos' which nearly took Peru to the last 3 FIFA World Cups. Palacios had a long run with the Peru national football team that resulted in a record 128 caps and 19 goals for his country. He retired from the Peruvian National squad on May 25, 2012.

Outside football

Roberto Palacios and his father were part of the Million Man March.
Palacios is also a children's activist. He frequently works with UNICEF to help feed the poor children of Africa, and sometimes even by flying over and donating football gear and accessories. He recently donated a fair share of money to the UNEP to help the people of Haiti in the wake of the tragic 2010 [Haiti earthquake|2010 earthquake].

Career statistics

International

No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires, Argentina1–21–21994 [FIFA World Cup qualification |1994 FIFA World Cup qualification]
2Lima, Peru–2–0Friendly
3Estadio Atilio Paiva Olivera, Rivera, Uruguay1–11–11995 Copa América
4Estadio Monumental Isidro Romero Carbo, Guayaquil, Ecaudor1–11–41998 FIFA [World Cup qualification |1998 FIFA World Cup qualification]
5National Stadium of Peru, Lima, Peru3–04–0Friendly
6Estadio de la UNSA, Arequipa, Peru2–03–0Friendly
7Lima, Peru1–04–1Friendly
8National Stadium of Peru, Lima, Peru3–04–11998 FIFA World Cup qualification
9National Stadium of Peru, Lima, Peru4–14–11998 FIFA World Cup qualification
10National Stadium of Peru, Lima, Peru2–02–11998 FIFA World Cup qualification
11National Stadium of Peru, Lima, Peru1–01–11998 FIFA World Cup qualification
12National Stadium of Peru, Lima, Peru1–12–11998 FIFA World Cup qualification
13Estadio Defensores del Chaco, Asunción, Paraugay1–03–31999 Copa América
14National Stadium of Peru, Lima, Peru1–12–1Friendly
15Miami Orange Bowl, Miami, United States4–15–32000 CONCACAF Gold Cup
16San Diego Stadium, San Diego, United States1–21–22000 CONCACAF Gold Cup
17National Stadium of Peru, Lima, Peru2–02–02002 FIFA World Cup qualification
18National Stadium of Peru, Lima, Peru1–01–02002 FIFA World Cup qualification
19Estadio Monumental, Lima, Peru2–22–22004 Copa América

Honours

Sporting Cristal
LDU Quito
Peru
Individual