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{{Lead too long|date=October 2022}}
{{Short description|Chilean footballer (born 1974)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}
{{family name hatnote|Salas|Melinao|lang=Spanish}}
{{Infobox football biography
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Marcelo Salas
| name = Marcelo Salas
| image = [[File:Marcelo Salas.jpg|180px]]
| image = Marcelo Salas 2015.jpg
| image_size = 250px
| height = {{convert|1.73|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| caption = Salas in 2015
| fullname = José Marcelo Salas Melinao
| fullname = José Marcelo Salas Melinao<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/j/j96042.html |title=Marcelo Salas |publisher=BD Futbol |access-date=9 August 2022}}</ref>
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1974|12|24}}
| height = 1.74 m<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sslazio.it/squadra00_01/html/salas1.asp |title=Marcelo Salas |publisher=SS Lazio |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010501041812/http://www.sslazio.it/squadra00_01/html/salas1.asp |archive-date=1 May 2001}}</ref>
| birth_place = [[Temuco]], [[Chile]]
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1974|12|24}}
| currentclub = [[Unión Temuco]] (Chairman)
| position = [[Striker]]
| birth_place = [[Temuco]], Chile
| position = [[Forward (association football)#Striker|Striker]]
| youthyears1 = 1983&ndash;1991
| youthyears1 = 1989–1991
| youthyears2 = 1991&ndash;1993
| youthyears2 = 1991–1993
| youthclubs1 = Santos Temuco
| youthclubs1 = [[Deportes Temuco]]
| youthclubs2 = [[Club Universidad de Chile|Universidad de Chile]]
| youthclubs2 = [[Club Universidad de Chile|Universidad de Chile]]
| years1 = 1993&ndash;1996
| years1 = 1993–1996
| years2 = 1996&ndash;1998
| clubs1 = [[Club Universidad de Chile|Universidad de Chile]]
| years3 = 1998&ndash;2001
| caps1 = 77
| years4 = 2001&ndash;2005
| goals1 = 50
| years5 = 2003&ndash;2005
| years2 = 1996–1998
| years6 = 2005&ndash;2008
| clubs1 = [[Club Universidad de Chile|Universidad de Chile]]
| clubs2 = [[Club Atlético River Plate|River Plate]]
| caps2 = 53
| clubs2 = [[Club Atlético River Plate|River Plate]]
| goals2 = 24
| clubs3 = [[S.S. Lazio|Lazio]]
| years3 = 1998–2001
| clubs4 = [[Juventus F.C.|Juventus]]
| clubs3 = [[SS Lazio|Lazio]]
| clubs5 = → [[Club Atlético River Plate|River Plate]] (loan)
| caps3 = 79
| clubs6 = [[Club Universidad de Chile|Universidad de Chile]]
| goals3 = 34
| caps1 = 75 | goals1 = 50
| years4 = 2001–2006
| caps2 = 53 | goals2 = 24
| clubs4 = [[Juventus FC|Juventus]]
| caps3 = 79 | goals3 = 34
| caps4 = 18 | goals4 = 2
| caps4 = 18
| goals4 = 2
| caps5 = 32 | goals5 = 10
| years5 = 2003–2005
| caps6 = 82 | goals6 = 37
| clubs5 = → [[Club Atlético River Plate|River Plate]] (loan)
| totalcaps = 329 | totalgoals = 155
| caps5 = 32
| nationalyears1 = 1994&ndash;2007
| goals5 = 10
| nationalteam1 = [[Chile national football team|Chile]]
| years6 = 2005–2006
| nationalcaps1 = 71 | nationalgoals1 = 37
| clubs6 = → [[Club Universidad de Chile|Universidad de Chile]] (loan)
| caps6 = 38
| goals6 = 18
| years7 = 2006–2008
| clubs7 = [[Club Universidad de Chile|Universidad de Chile]]
| caps7 = 44
| goals7 = 19
| totalcaps = 333
| totalgoals = 155
| nationalyears1 = 1993
| nationalteam1 = [[Chile national under-20 football team|Chile U20]]
| nationalyears2 = 1996
| nationalteam2 = [[Chile Olympic football team|Chile Olympic]]
| nationalcaps2 = 7
| nationalgoals2 = 8
| nationalyears3 = 1994–2007
| nationalteam3 = [[Chile national football team|Chile]]
| nationalcaps3 = 70
| nationalgoals3 = 37
| medaltemplates = {{medal|Sport|Player}}
{{medal|Team|[[Club Universidad de Chile|Universidad de Chile]]}}
{{medal|W|[[1994 Primera División of Chile|Primera División of Chile]]|1994}}
{{medal|W|[[1995 Primera División of Chile|Primera División of Chile]]|1995}}
{{medal|Team|[[Club Atlético River Plate|River Plate]]}}
{{medal|W|[[1996–97 Argentine Primera División#Torneo Apertura|Torneo Apertura]]|1996}}
{{medal|W|[[1996–97 Argentine Primera División#Torneo Clausura|Torneo Clausura]]|1997}}
{{medal|W|[[1997–98 Argentine Primera División#Torneo Apertura|Torneo Apertura]]|1997}}
{{medal|W|[[1997 Supercopa Libertadores|Supercopa Libertadores]]|1997}}
{{medal|W|[[2003–04 Argentine Primera División#Torneo Clausura|Torneo Clausura]]|2004}}
{{medal|Team|[[SS Lazio|Lazio]]}}
{{medal|W|[[1998 Supercoppa Italiana|Supercoppa Italiana]]|1998}}
{{medal|W|[[1998–99 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup|UEFA Cup Winners' Cup]]|1999}}
{{medal|W|[[1999 UEFA Super Cup|UEFA Super Cup]]|1999}}
{{medal|W|[[1999–2000 Serie A|Serie A]]|2000}}
{{medal|W|[[1999–2000 Coppa Italia|Coppa Italia]]|2000}}
{{medal|Team|[[Juventus FC|Juventus]]}}
{{medal|W|[[2001–02 Serie A|Serie A]]|2002}}
{{medal|W|[[2002 Supercoppa Italiana|Supercoppa Italiana]]|2002}}
{{medal|W|[[2002–03 Serie A|Serie A]]|2003}}
}}
}}
{{spanish name 2|Salas|Melinao}}
'''José Marcelo Salas Melinao''' (born December 24, 1974 in [[Temuco]]), better known as '''El Matador''', '''Shileno''' or simply '''Marcelo Salas''', is a former [[football (soccer)|football]] player from [[Chile]]. He, along with [[Elías Figueroa]] and [[Iván Zamorano]], has been one of Chile's most prestigious footballers. He has played in Chile, Argentina and Italy where he has won titles for every team he has played for. He has a deft touch with his left foot, which has led to some spectacular goals all around the globe, including two in a historical 2-0 win for Chile in [[Michael Owen]]'s debut for England in [[Wembley Stadium]] right before the [[1998 World Cup]].


'''José Marcelo Salas Melinao''' ({{IPA|es-419|maɾˈselo ˈsalas|lang}}; born 24 December 1974), nicknamed ''[[Bullfighter|Matador]]'' (due to his [[Goal celebration|goalscoring celebrations]]),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sport.sky.it/sport/calcio_estero/2009/06/03/marcelo_salas_addio_al_calcio.html|title=El Matador dice addio, Salas lascia il calcio|publisher=Sky.it|language=it|date=3 June 2009|access-date=18 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304115609/http://sport.sky.it/sport/calcio_estero/2009/06/03/marcelo_salas_addio_al_calcio.html|archive-date=4 March 2016}}</ref> ''El Fenómeno'' and ''Shileno'', is a Chilean former [[association football|footballer]] who played as a [[Forward (association football)#Striker|striker]]. Salas is considered the best striker in the history of Chile.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://m.u-dechile.webnode.cl/marcelo-salas/ |title=Marcelo Salas is the best striker in the history of Chile |publisher=ElMercurio.cl|access-date=20 May 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rincondelbulla.cl/portal/2008/11/27/opinan-mundialistas-de-chile-marcelo-salas-el-mejor-delantero-de-la-historia/|title=World Cup winners in Chile: Marcelo Salas the best striker in history|publisher=Rincondelbulla.cl|date=27 November 2008}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.elperiscopio.cl/deportes/polemica-instalada-quien |title=Who is the best striker in history|date=29 March 2017 |publisher=Elperiscopio.cl|access-date=20 May 2020}}</ref> He stood out during the 1990s and 2000s in clubs such as [[Club Universidad de Chile|Universidad de Chile]], [[Club Atlético River Plate|River Plate]], [[Società Sportiva Lazio|Lazio]] and [[Juventus FC|Juventus]]. He was the captain of the [[Chile national football team|Chile national team]] and the top scorer – scoring 45 goals in total: 37 goals for the [[Chile national football team]] (4 in [[Soccer World Cup|World Cups]], 18 in World Cup qualification processes and 15 in friendlies)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.partidosdelaroja.com/1994/05/marcelo-salas.html?m=1|title=Players with the most goals in the Chilean team |publisher=Red matches |access-date=23 December 2017}}</ref> and 8 goals with the [[Chile Olympic football team]].
==Career==


He played in Chile, Argentina and Italy, winning titles with each club he joined.

The [[IFFHS]] ranked him as the [[:es:Anexo:Mejor jugador sudamericano del siglo XX|31st best South American player of the 20th century]], the [[:es:Anexo:Mejor jugador sudamericano del siglo XX|19th best South American forward of the 20th century]] and the [[:es:Anexo:Mejor jugador sudamericano del siglo XX|3rd best South American forward of the 1990s]] (integrating the podium with Brazilians players [[Ronaldo (Brazilian footballer)|Ronaldo]] and [[Romário]]).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://iffhs.de/posts/498 |title=IFFHS HISTORY: SOUTH AMERICA – PLAYER OF THE CENTURY (1900–1999) |publisher=IFFHS.de |date=16 October 2017}}</ref> In 1997 he ranked 3rd as the "best centre forward in the world" (after players [[Ronaldo (Brazilian footballer)|Ronaldo]] and [[Gabriel Batistuta]]) and he was ranked 5th in the "Best Centre Forward" category in the RSS Award for the best footballer of the year, in 1998 and 1999.<ref>[https://www.rsssf.org/rssbest/rsspoy97.html Rec.sport.soccer Player of the Year Award 1997]</ref><ref>[https://www.rsssf.org/rssbest/rsspoy98.html Rec.sport.soccer Player of the Year Award 1998]</ref><ref>[https://www.rsssf.org/rssbest/rsspoy99.html Rec.sport.soccer Player of the Year Award 1999]</ref> He was also named the [[South American Footballer of the Year]] in 1997.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://m.eluniversal.com.co/mundial/brasil-2014/historia/francia-1998-28 |title=France 1998 World Cup |publisher=Eluniversal.com|author=Gabriel Jaime García|date= 29 May 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.24horas.cl/deportes/futbol-nacional/marcelo-salas-entre-los-mejores-zurdos-de-la-historia-de-sudamerica-567469 |title=Marcelo Salas among the best left-handers in the history of South America |publisher=24horas.cl |date=20 March 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pasionfutbol.com/noticias/Los-diez-mejores-futbolistas-sudamericanos-zurdos-de-la-historia-20130319-0029.html |title=The ten best South American footballers in history|work=PasionLibertadores.com|date=19 March 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pasionfutbol.com/amp/fanaticos/Los-mejores-goleadores-de-la-historia-del-futbol-sudamericano--20130916-0001.html |title=The best scorers in the history of South American football|publisher=Pasionfutbol.com |author=Diego Fernando Pineda and Leyner Camilo López |date=16 September 2013}}</ref>

A powerful and tenacious forward, with good technique, who was well-known for his deft touch with his left foot, as well as his aerial ability, Salas had a prolific goalscoring record throughout his career. Between 1996 and 2001 he was considered one of the best forwards in the world, often compared to [[Ronaldo (Brazilian footballer)|Ronaldo]] and [[Gabriel Batistuta]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lanacion.com.ar/deportes/passarella-comparo-a-batistuta-con-ronaldo-nid87156 |title=Passarella compared Batistuta with Ronaldo, Salas and the goals |publisher=LaNacion.com.ar |date=6 February 1998}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://m.tuttosport.com/amp/news/calcio/ilcuoio/2019/01/27-52570024/Salas_un_bomber_in_bianco_e_nero |title=Salas, un bomber in bianco e nero |publisher=Tuttosport.com |date=27 January 2019}}</ref>

Salas is considered one of the greatest players in the history of [[Club Universidad de Chile|Universidad de Chile]], an icon for the football team [[Club Atlético River Plate|River Plate]] of [[Argentina]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mercurioantofagasta.cl/prontus4_noticias/site/artic/20040827/pags/20040827020549.html|title=River Plate includes Marcelo Salas in the gallery of idols |publisher=mercurioantofagasta.cl |date=27 August 2007}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.elperiscopio.cl/deportes/marcelo-salas-fue-considerado-en-el-once-ideal-historico-de-river-plate/ |title=Marcelo Salas was considered in the eleven ideal historico de River Plate |date=23 November 2018 |publisher=elperiscopio.cl |access-date=28 September 2020}}</ref> and one of the greatest foreign players in [[SS Lazio|Lazio]]'s history.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.elperiscopio.cl/deportes/la-frase-de-marcelo-salas-que-emociono-a-los-hinchas-de-la-lazio-y-de-universidad-de-chile/ |title=Marcelo Salas' phrase that moved the fans of Lazio and Universidad de Chile |date=10 March 2017 |publisher=elperiscopio.cl |access-date=28 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.t13.cl/amp/noticia/deportes13/futbol-internacional/marcelo-salas-es-recibido-como-idolo-su-visita-lazio-italia |title=Marcelo Salas is received as an idol during his visit to Lazio in Italy |publisher=t13.cl |date=10 March 2017}}</ref> He played for the [[Chile national football team]] at the [[1998 FIFA World Cup]] in France, where he scored four goals in four matches, leading his team to the second round of the competition. Additionally, Salas played for the [[Chile national football team]] at two [[Copa América]] tournaments, helping his team to reach fourth place in the [[1999 Copa América|1999 edition of the tournament]].

Currently, after his retirement as a football player, he has continued linked to the sport, being since May 2013 the president of [[Deportes Temuco]] (a club that on that date absorbed [[Unión Temuco]], owned by him from 2008 to April 2013). The club is now in 2nd division of Chile, the [[Primera B de Chile|Primera B]].

==Club career==
===Universidad de Chile===
===Universidad de Chile===
Born in [[Temuco]], Salas played for the [[Deportes Temuco]] youth team until his father took him to [[Santiago de Chile]] to be incorporated into the [[Club Universidad de Chile|Universidad de Chile]] team.


Salas joined the [[Club Universidad de Chile|Universidad de Chile]] team in 1993 and debuted on 4 January 1994 in a match against [[C.D. Cobreloa|Cobreloa]] where he scored a goal. Finally, Salas was consolidated in the match against Colo Colo at the [[Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos|National Stadium]], where he scored a [[Hat-trick]] in the 4–1 victory.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://redgol.cl/udechile/A-25-anos-del-nacimiento-del-apodo-de-Matador-Marcelo-Salas-y-sus-tres-goles-a-Colo-Colo-20190410-0031.html |title=25 years after the birth of the Matador nickname: Marcelo Salas and his three goals against Colo Colo |date=10 April 2019 |publisher=RedGol |language=es-ES}}</ref> His great performances quickly led the university fans to give him the nickname of "Matador" due to his cold blood when defining, also inspired by the [[Matador (Los Fabulosos Cadillacs song)|song of the same name]] by the Argentine musical group [[Los Fabulosos Cadillacs]], which at that time was fashionable in Latin America. It was also at this time that he patented his particular way of celebrating goals: he put one leg down, bowed his head, stretched his right arm and pointed his index finger towards the sky.
Salas was a youth product of the [[Deportes Temuco]] youth team until his father took him to [[Santiago de Chile]] to be incorporated into [[Universidad de Chile]], the chilean club with the highest average attendance in the country.


Salas made his debut playing for [[Club Universidad de Chile|Universidad de Chile]] in 1993 and became a starter on January 4, 1994 against [[Cobreloa]] where he would also score a goal. Salas helped the team win back to back titles in 1994 and 1995 leaving a trail of 74 goals which included a strong 1996 campaign in [[Copa Libertadores]].
Salas helped the team win back-to-back titles in 1994 and 1995, he was an essential player for the [[Club Universidad de Chile|Universidad de Chile]] team, as he was their top scorer in both seasons (27 goals in the first season and 17 goals in the second season). Leaving a trail of 76 goals which included a strong 1996 campaign in the [[Copa Libertadores]].


===River Plate===
===River Plate===
Later in 1996, Salas moved on to Argentina to play with [[Club Atlético River Plate|River Plate]] of the [[Argentina|Argentine]] first division, a move that was met with some criticism by the Argentine press as a [[Chile]] born player had never really had an impact playing in Argentina. The move was also criticised by Argentine great [[Diego Maradona]] as Salas was scouted by arch rival Boca Juniors prior to joining River. Salas quickly silenced his critics and won over Argentine fans, as a major contributor to one of the clubs greatest runs ever. From 1996&ndash;1998 Salas scored 26 goals in 51 games, helping River to win the Torneo de Apertura 1996, the Clausura 1997, the Apertura 1997 and the 1997 [[Supercopa Sudamericana]]. These accomplishments would cement his legacy in Argentina as one of its greatest foreign born players earning the nickname, "El shileno (sic) Salas". During that time he also helped [[Chile national football team|Chile]] in the [[FIFA World Cup qualification|World Cup qualification]] as the top scorer along [[Ivan Zamorano]] in the South American zone. In 1998, he participated with [[Chile national football team|Chile]] in the [[1998 FIFA World Cup|World Cup]] making a strong performance with 4 goals in 4 matches.
Later in 1996, Salas moved to Argentina to play in [[Club Atlético River Plate|River Plate]] team of the [[Argentina|Argentine]] first division of football. On 30 September 1996 he scored his first goal, in a match played against [[Boca Juniors]] at the [[La Bombonera]] stadium. From 1996 to 1998 Salas scored 31 goals in 67 games, helping River to win the Torneo de Apertura 1996 (where he scored two goals in the 3–0 win over [[Club Atlético Vélez Sarsfield|Vélez Sarsfield]] that made him champion), the Clausura 1997, the Apertura 1997 (scoring the title goal against [[Argentinos Juniors]]), and the 1997 [[Supercopa Libertadores]], where he scored the 2 goals in the final against [[São Paulo FC|São Paulo]] that gave the millionaire club the cup. In addition, he was elected the [[Footballer of the Year of Argentina|Best Footballer of the season in Argentina]] and [[South American Footballer of the Year]] in 1997. These accomplishments would cement his legacy in Argentina as one of its greatest foreign born players earning the nickname, "El shileno (sic) Salas".


The Argentine team valued his transfer at US$30,000,000 as the English football club [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] (The coach [[Alex Ferguson]] wanted a player with the characteristics of [[Ronaldo (Brazilian footballer)|Ronaldo]] and Marcelo Salas to replace the retirement of [[Eric Cantona]], Ferguson traveled 14,000 miles to sign Salas, but [[Club Atlético River Plate|River Plate]] refused to sell him.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://talksport.com/football/832908/marcelo-salas-maradona-england-juventus-ronaldo-man-united/amp/ |title=Matador Marcelo Salas earned Diego Maradona comparison ruining Michael Owen's debut, stopped Juventus signing Ronaldo and made Sir Alex Ferguson boss go on a 14,000-mile scouting trip |publisher=talksport.com |date=12 February 2021}}</ref>), in addition to great clubs from Italy and Spain for hiring him.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lanacion.com.ar/deportes/ferguson-va-a-ver-a-salas-nid80698/ |title=Road to France 98. Ferguson will see a Salas |publisher=Lanacion.com.ar |date=14 November 1997}}</ref>
===S.S. Lazio and Juventus===
In the same year, on the strength of his performances both in Argentina and the World Cup, he was sold to [[S.S. Lazio]] in Italy for US$18,000,000.{{Citation needed|date=April 2010}}


===Lazio===
Salas played in Italy for five years, three with [[S.S. Lazio]] (1998–2001), a key catalyst in helping turn around a Lazio team that hadn't won a [[Scudetto]] since the 1973&ndash;1974 season. His first Serie A appearance was on October 4, 1998. He scored his first goal playing for Lazio a few days later against [[F.C. Internazionale Milano|Inter]]. With Lazio he won an Italian cup, a [[Cup Winners' Cup]] and a [[European Super Cup]], scoring the match's only goal in the latter, in a 1-0 win over [[Manchester United]]. In 2001 he was transferred to [[Juventus]] (for cash plus [[Darko Kovačević]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/1496917.stm|title=Salas joins Juventus|date=2001-08-17|accessdate=2010-04-06|work=BBC Sport}}</ref>) where Salas would endure the worst moments of his career; he was hampered by injuries, allowing him to participate in only 14 games and scoring just 2 goals.
On 1 February 1998, thanks to his good performances both in Argentina and in the [[Chile national football team]], he was sold to [[SS Lazio]] in Italy for US$20.5 million.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.clarin.com/deportes/futbol/marcelo-salas-20-anos-pase-supero-20-millones_0_rJegCygLz.amp.html|title=Marcelo Salas: 20 years after the pass that exceeded 20 million|date=1 February 2018|access-date=1 September 2020|work=clarin.com}}</ref> becoming the highest transfer in history at that time, after [[Ronaldo (Brazilian footballer)|Ronaldo]], [[Rivaldo]] and [[Denílson de Oliveira Araújo|Denilson]] (to Inter Milan from Italy, Barcelona and Betis from Spain, respectively).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lanacion.com.ar/deportes/no-prometo-goles-los-hago-nid87773/ |title=After the two goals against England. "I don't promise goals ... I make them" |publisher=lanacion.com.ar |date=13 February 1998}}</ref>


Salas played in Italy for five years: three years with [[SS Lazio]] (1998–2001), a key catalyst in helping turn around a Lazio team that hadn't won a [[Scudetto]] since the 1973–1974 season. He made his debut for [[SS Lazio|Lazio]] on 12 August 1998 against the [[1997–98 UEFA Champions League|UEFA Champions League]] champion, the [[Real Madrid CF|Real Madrid]] of Spain, where he scored the second goal of his team, in the [[Teresa Herrera Trophy]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.elpais.com/diario/1998/08/13/deportes/902959203_850215.html%3foutputType=amp |title=Madrid moves Riazor |publisher= elpais.com |date=13 August 1998}}</ref> His official debut was for the [[Supercoppa italiana]] where his team won the competition after winning 2–1 over [[Juventus FC]], on 29 August 1998. With Salas in the team, successes in Italian football returned for the whole of the Italian capital, after 25 years. He scored his first goal for [[Serie A]] playing for Lazio a few days later against [[Inter Milan]]. With Lazio he won a Serie A (being Salas the team's top scorer with 12 annotations), an [[Coppa Italia]], two [[Supercoppa Italiana]], a [[UEFA Cup Winners' Cup]] and a [[UEFA Super Cup]], scoring the match's only goal in the latter, in a 1–0 win over [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/432092.stm|title=Man Utd lose to Super Lazio|date=17 August 1999|work=BBC Sport|access-date=10 August 2022}}</ref>
===River Plate===

In 2003 Salas was loaned back to River Plate<ref>[http://www.juventus.com/site/filesite/finance/bilanci_relazioni/26_ott_2004_eng.pdf Reports and Financial Statements at 30 June 2004]</ref> but was unable to regain his old form as he was still hampered by injuries. Constantly in and out of the lineup and only able to score 17 goals in 43 matches Salas considered retiring from football, but decided he would make one final push with River. His return would spark River to a semi-final appearance in the Copa Libertadores (Salas scoring a hat-trick en route) but they lost to eventual champions Sao-Paulo.
Salas quickly became an idol of the Lazio tifosi, where they dedicated songs to him, the most traditional was: "Matador, Matador, che ce frega de [[Ronaldo (Brazilian footballer)|Ronaldo]] noi c'avemo er Matador" (Matador, Matador, what do we care about Ronaldo if we have the Matador).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lazionews24.com/salas-coro-curva-nord-matador-video/amp/ |title=Salas, the Nord curve intona il vecchio coro e il 'Matador 'ringrazia |publisher=lazionews24.com |date=18 May 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.noibiancocelesti.com/2018/12/24/che-ce-frega-de-ronaldo-noi-cavemo-er-matador-oggi-marcelo-salas-compie-44-anni/ |title="Che ce frega de Ronaldo, noi c'avemo er Matador ..." oggi Marcelo Salas compie 44 anni |publisher=noibiancocelesti.com |date=24 December 2018}}</ref>

After rejecting offers of US$30,000,000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nacion.com/puro-deporte/salas-al-chelsea/CLLYH7NAIJEV7FRCMCV2GIDN6A/story/ |title=¿Salas al Chelsea? |publisher=Nacion.com |date=6 March 2001}}</ref> from important football club as: [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]], [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]], [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]], [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]], [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]], [[Parma AC|Parma]], [[AC Milan]] and [[Inter Milan]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.emol.com/noticias/deportes/2001/06/29/58919/inter-y-lazio-llegan-a-un-acuerdo-por-marcelo-salas.html |title=Inter and Lazio reach an agreement for Marcelo Salas |publisher=Emol.com |date=29 June 2001}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.emol.com/noticias/deportes/2001/06/05/56777/firma-de-marcelo-salas-por-real-madrid-es-solo-un-tramite.html |title=Signature of Marcelo Salas by Real Madrid is just a procedure |publisher=Emol.com |date=20 July 2013}}</ref> was in negotiations with [[Real Madrid CF|Real Madrid]] to become, together with [[Zinedine Zidane]], one of the two great "meringues" signings of 2001.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc.es/deportes/futbol/abci-italia-hecho-traspaso-salas-madrid-200106140300-28739_noticia_amp.html |title=In Italy it is taken for granted the transfer of Salas to Real Madrid |publisher= Abc.es |date=14 June 2001}}</ref> However, the transfer failed, largely due to the exorbitant sum that the Spanish club had invested in the signing of Zidane. Finally, that same year he signed for [[Juventus FC|Juventus]], with the club paying €25,000,000 (US$28,500,000) for him, which at the time was the most expensive transfer of a Chilean player.

===Juventus===
In 2001, he was transferred to Juventus for 55 billion [[Italian lira|lire]]<ref name=Juventus>{{cite press release|url=http://www.sslazio.it/news/visualizza_news.asp?idnews=494&titolo=1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010907143415/http://www.sslazio.it/news/visualizza_news.asp?idnews=494&titolo=1|title=E' ufficiale la cessione di Marcelo Salas alla Juve e l'acquisto di Darko Kovacevic|date=24 August 2001|archive-date=7 September 2001|access-date=24 September 2017|publication-place=Rome|publisher=SS Lazio|language=it}}</ref> (€28.5 million by fixed exchange rate; 22 billion lire cash plus [[Darko Kovačević]]<ref name=Juventus/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/1496917.stm|title=Salas joins Juventus|date=17 August 2001|access-date=6 April 2010|work=BBC Sport}}</ref>). His stay in [[Turin]] was cut short due to a torn ACL in his right knee in a [[Serie A]] match against [[Bologna FC 1909|Bologna]] in October 2001.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/017e-0e6a316a1369-127f2577b79b-1000--salas-blow-for-juventus/ |title=Salas blow for Juventus |publisher=UEFA.com |date=22 October 2001 |access-date=17 June 2024 }}</ref> Salas endured one of the worst moments of his career at the club; he was hampered by injuries, including a further issue with his knee meniscus the [[2002–03 Juventus FC season|following season]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/025a-0eaae68e433f-caf1c1af0bdb-1000--salas-to-miss-rest-of-campaign/ |title=Salas to miss rest of campaign |publisher=UEFA.com |language=en |date=4 April 2003 |access-date=17 June 2024 }}</ref> allowing him to participate in only 26 games and scoring just 4 goals across all competitions.

===Return to River Plate ===
After [[Juventus FC|Juventus]] unsuccessfully tried to transfer him to such high-profile European clubs as [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.emol.com/noticias/deportes/2003/01/21/102998/manchester-united-estaria-interesado-en-salas.html |title=Manchester United estaría interesado en Salas |publisher=El Mercurio|date=21 January 2003}}</ref> [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.alairelibre.cl/noticias/site/artic/20030703/pags-amp/20030703132000.html |title=Juventus recibió una oferta del Chelsea por Marcelo Salas y Edgar Davids |publisher=alairelibre.cl |date=3 July 2003}}</ref> [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.emol.com/noticias/deportes/2003/07/01/116223/liverpool-quiere-llevarse-gratis-a-marcelo-salas.html |title=Liverpool quiere llevarse gratis a Marcelo Salas |publisher=El Mercurio|date=1 July 2003}}</ref> [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.emol.com/noticias/deportes/2003/01/19/102807/marcelo-salas-se-iria-al-barcelona-si-despiden-a-van-gaal.html |title=Marcelo Salas se iría al Barcelona si despiden a Van Gaal |publisher=El Mercurio|date=19 January 2003}}</ref> [[A.C. Milan]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.cl/nota?id=171211 |title=¿Milan el salvador de Salas? |publisher=ESPN|date=9 July 2003}}</ref> and [[Sporting CP|Sporting Lisbon]] (in exchange for the transfer of a young [[Cristiano Ronaldo]]),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://lapaginamillonaria.com/riverplate/Salas-impidio-que-Cristiano-Ronaldo-jugara-en-Juventus-20180705-0005.html |title=Salas impidió que Cristiano Ronaldo jugara en Juventus |publisher=La Página Millonaria |date=5 July 2018}}</ref> in 2003 he was loaned back to [[Club Atlético River Plate|River Plate]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.australtemuco.cl/site/edic/20030327061723/pags/20030327101604.html|title=El divorcio secreto del "Matador"|publisher=El Austral de Temuco|date=27 March 2003}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mercuriovalpo.cl/site/edic/20030718001122/pags/20030718015440.html |title=El 'Matador' regresa a River |publisher=El Mercurio de Valparaíso|date=18 July 2003}}</ref>

Hailed as "Saint Matador" by fans,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.estrellavalpo.cl/site/edic/20030801094517/pags/20030801125924.html |title=En Argentina, Salas ya es "San Matador" |publisher=La Estrella de Valparaíso |date=1 August 2003}}</ref> Salas stood out especially in that year's [[2003 Copa Sudamericana|Copa Sudamericana]], but could not prevent his team's defeat in the final against [[Cienciano]] of [[Peru]], despite scoring the tying goal 3–3 in the first leg. However, he later achieved a new title: the 2004 Clausura.

A year later, he helped River Plate reach the semifinals of the [[2005 Copa Libertadores]], scoring a [[hat-trick]] against [[L.D.U. Quito|Liga de Quito]]. In his second stay at River Plate, Salas scored 17 goals in 43 games.

Marcelo Salas is regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of River Plate, along with [[Ángel Labruna]], [[Enzo Francescoli]], [[Ramón Díaz]], [[Norberto Alonso]], [[Ubaldo Fillol]] and [[Amadeo Carrizo]]. In addition, he was one of the few foreign players who have worn the ''Millonarios'' [[captain (association football)|captain]] armband.

[[File:Marcelo Salas.jpg|thumb|left|Salas in 2008]]


===Universidad de Chile===
===Universidad de Chile===
Between 2004 and 2005 he received offers to return to European football from [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]] in Spain and [[Inter Milan]] in Italy, among others.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.emol.com/noticias/deportes/2004/12/14/166818/barcelona-estaria-interesado-en-marcelo-salas.html |title=Barcelona would be interested in Marcelo Salas |publisher=Emol.com |date=14 December 2004}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.emol.com/noticias/deportes/2005/07/13/188593/inter-de-milan-se-interesa-por-marcelo-salas.html |title=Inter Milan would be interested in Marcelo Salas |publisher=Emol.com |date=13 July 2005}}</ref>
In late July 2005, it was confirmed that he would return to his original football team, Universidad de Chile,<ref>[http://www.juventus.com/site/filesite/finance/bilanci_relazioni/24_mar_2006_eng.pdf Six-Monthly Report at 31 December 2005]</ref> and the never-ending love of the fans of [[Club Universidad de Chile|Universidad de Chile]] for Salas was evident. Although the press was tough on him for being an injury-prone player (Salas played just 10 games in 2005), he carried Universidad de Chile to the cup finals. The 2005 final was decided on a shootout, won by Universidad Católica. After retirement rumors flourished in the summer of 2006, Salas began campaign with Universidad de Chile and led the team to the final one more time, which saw Universidad de Chile dropping the title to archrivals Colo-Colo on penalties.


In late July 2005, it was confirmed that he would return to his original team, [[Club Universidad de Chile|Universidad de Chile]], on a temporary deal from Juventus.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.juventus.com/site/filesite/finance/bilanci_relazioni/24_mar_2006_eng.pdf|title=Six-Monthly Report at 31 December 2005|publisher=Juventus FC|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207051619/http://www.juventus.com/site/filesite/finance/bilanci_relazioni/24_mar_2006_eng.pdf|archive-date=7 December 2008}}</ref>
After a 6 month layoff, Salas confirmed he would return to his beloved team with a contract for a year and a half, thus continuing the whirl-wind that has been his career. At this point Salas also expressed interest in returning to the Chilean National which he had not played for since 2005. Then, under the direction of [[Marcelo Bielsa]], Salas participated in two exhibition matches held in Austria on September 7, and September 11 of 2007, and the first four games of the 2010 World Cup qualifying stage. He scored two goals against [[Uruguay national football team|Uruguay]] on November 18, 2007, reaching the record of 37 goals for his country.


Salas announced his retirement on November 26, 2008, at the age of 33.
Salas announced his retirement on 28 November 2008, at the age of 33. Before the 23 November game where the [[Club Universidad de Chile|Universidad de Chile]] beat [[C.D. Cobreloa|Cobreloa]] 3–2, with two goals from Salas at the [[Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos|National Stadium]].


===Retirement===
===Retirement===
Salas played his last game on 2 June 2009. Amongst the invited players were his friends from the 1993–1996 Universidad de Chile squads, [[Club Atlético River Plate|River Plate]], [[Juventus]], plus members of Chile's France '98 World Cup squad. More than 60,000 people attended to pay him one final salute. Playing for both sides, he managed to score three goals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.triunfo.cl/prontus_triunfo/site/artic/20090603/pags/20090603013702.html|title=La Nación – Diario La Nación|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091006025732/http://www.triunfo.cl/prontus_triunfo/site/artic/20090603/pags/20090603013702.html|archive-date=6 October 2009}}</ref>


==International career==
Salas played his farewell game on June 2, 2009. Amongst the invited players were his friends from the 1993&ndash;1996 Universidad de Chile squads, [[Club Atlético River Plate|River Plate]], [[Juventus]], plus members of Chile's France '98 World Cup squad. More than 50,000 people showed up to pay him one final salute. Playing for both sides, he managed to score three goals.<ref>http://www.triunfo.cl/prontus_triunfo/site/artic/20090603/pags/20090603013702.html</ref>
Salas represented Chile at under-20 level in 1993 alongside players such as [[Francisco Rojas (footballer, born 1974)|Francisco Rojas]], [[Claudio Lizama]] and [[Claudio Villan]].<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10156105823409432 Selección Chilena Sub 20 1993] Claudio Andrés Villan Cerpa on Facebook {{inlang|es}}</ref>


On 30 April 1994 at the [[Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos|National Stadium]], Salas made his debut for the [[Chile national football team]] at age 19, scoring his first international goal in a 3–3 draw with [[Argentina national football team|Argentina]] of [[Diego Maradona]], who was preparing for the World Cup 1994.
==Honours==


In 1995 his team won the Canada Cup, where Salas scored the "goal of the victory" in the final match against [[Canada men's national soccer team|Canada]] (2–1).
===Club===


During the [[1998 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL)|1998 World Cup qualification]] campaign, Salas scored 11 goals. He also scored memorable goals: against [[Argentina national football team|Argentina]] of local, in [[Quito]] of visit against [[Ecuador national football team|Ecuador]] and of local against [[Uruguay national football team|Uruguay]], including [[hat-trick]]s against [[Colombia national football team|Colombia]] and [[Peru national football team|Peru]], and a goal in the final match against [[Bolivia national football team|Bolivia]]. Against Peru, he became the youngest Chilean footballer to wear the captain's belt, at just 22 years old.<ref name=fifa>{{cite news|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/statisticsandrecords/players/player=154557/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080618153415/http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/statisticsandrecords/players/player=154557/|archive-date=18 June 2008|title=Marcelo SALAS|access-date=25 November 2013|work=FIFA}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Chile}} [[Club Universidad de Chile]]
**[[Chilean Primera División]]: 1994, 1995


[[File:Adios Matador.jpg|thumb|Salas' farewell match on 2 June 2009 at the [[Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos|Estadio Nacional]]]]
* {{flagicon|Argentina}} [[Club Atlético River Plate]]
During the training for the [[1998 FIFA World Cup]] in France, Chile played a friendly match with [[England national football team|England]] in front of about 65,000 people at the legendary [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley Stadium]] on 11 February 1998. In a memorable match, Chile won 2–0 with goals of "The Killer". The first, of great invoice, with perfect control, spin and definition, without letting the ball touch the ground after a pass of more than 60 meters. The second, a penalty that he created after brilliantly [[dribbling]] the English defender [[Sol Campbell]].
**[[Argentine Primera División]]: [[1997–98_Argentine_Primera_División#Torneo_Apertura|1997 Apertura]], [[1996–97_Argentine_Primera_División#Torneo_Clausura|1997 Clausura]], [[2003–04_Argentine_Primera_División#Torneo_Clausura|2004 Clausura]]
**[[Supercopa Libertadores|Supercopa Sudamericana]]: [[1997 Supercopa Sudamericana|1997]]


In 1998, Marcelo Salas had an outstanding performance in the [[1998 FIFA World Cup]], reaching the 16th round of the tournament. He scored 4 goals: two against [[Italy national football team|Italy]], one against [[Austria national football team|Austria]] and one against [[Brazil national football team|Brazil]] positioning himself as the third-best scorer of the World Cup in that year, along with Brazilian striker [[Ronaldo (Brazilian footballer)|Ronaldo]], being only 1 away from the [[FIFA World Cup awards|bronze boot]], and 2 from the [[FIFA World Cup awards|golden boot]].<ref name=fifa/>
* {{flagicon|Italy}} [[S.S. Lazio]]
**[[Serie A|Italian Serie A]]: [[1999-2000 Serie A|1999-2000]]
**[[Coppa Italia]]: [[1999-2000 Coppa Italia|1999-2000]]
**[[Supercoppa Italiana]]: [[1998 Supercoppa Italiana|1998]], [[2000 Supercoppa Italiana|2000]]
**[[UEFA Cup Winners' Cup]]: [[1998–99 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup|1998-99]]
**[[UEFA Super Cup]]: [[1999 UEFA Super Cup|1999]]


In 1999, [[Chile national football team]] reached the semi-finals of the [[Copa América]], where they won fourth place.
* {{flagicon|Italy}} [[Juventus F.C.]]
**[[Serie A|Italian Serie A]]: [[2001-02 Serie A|2001-02]], [[2002-03 Serie A|2002-03]]
**[[Supercoppa Italiana]]: [[2002 Supercoppa Italiana|2002]]


On 15 August 2000, Salas was the great figure in [[Chile national football team|Chile]] 3–0 victory over [[Brazil national football team|Brazil]], scoring a great goal and being the most important player of the match, played in the [[2002 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL)|2002 World Cup qualification]].
===Individual===
* [[FIFA World Cup awards|FIFA World Cup Bronze Shoe]]: [[1998 FIFA World Cup|1998]]


Due to his injury problems, Salas's appearances for Chile were limited after 2001. He scored four goals in nine matches during the failed [[2002 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL)|2002 World Cup qualification]] campaign and during the [[2006 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL)|2006 World Cup qualification]]. He surpassed his attacking partner [[Iván Zamorano]] as the nation's all-time leading scorer for the second time (he had previously done so in 1998) with his 35th goal against [[Bolivia national football team|Bolivia]].<ref name=fifa/>
==International goals==

:''Scores and results list Chile's goal tally first.''
On 18 November 2007, during a match for the [[2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL)|qualification]] for [[2010 FIFA World Cup|2010 World Cup]] where Chile played against [[Uruguay national football team|Uruguay]], Marcelo Salas scored his last 2 final goals at the majestic [[Estadio Centenario]], the first with a header after [[Carlos Villanueva (Chilean footballer)|Carlos Villanueva]] center and the second, penalty.<ref name=fifa/>
{| class="wikitable" border="1"

==Career statistics==
===Club===
{{BLP unsourced section|date=September 2017}}
{| class=wikitable style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
|-
|-
!rowspan=2|Club
! # !! Date !! Venue !! Opponent !! Result !! Competition !! Scored
!rowspan=2|Season
!colspan=3|League
!colspan=2|National cup{{efn|Includes [[Copa Chile]], [[Coppa Italia]]}}
!colspan=2|Continental
!colspan=2|Other
!colspan=2|Total
|-
|-
!Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
| 1 || 1994-05-18 || [[Santiago, Chile|Santiago]] || {{fb|Argentina}} || 3–3 || [[Exhibition game|International Match]] || 1
|-
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[Club de Fútbol Universidad de Chile|Universidad de Chile]]
| 2 || 1995-03-29 || Los Angeles || {{fb|Mexico}} || 2–1 || International Match || 1
|[[1993 Primera División of Chile|1993]]
|rowspan="4"|[[Chilean Primera División]]
|15||1||||||||||colspan="2"|–||15||1
|-
|-
|[[1994 Primera División of Chile|1994]]
| 3 || 1995-04-22 || [[Temuco]] || {{fb|Iceland}} || 1–1 || International Match || 1
|25||27||15||12||6||2||colspan="2"|–||46||41
|-
|-
|[[1995 Primera División of Chile|1995]]
| 4 || 1995-05-28 || [[Commonwealth Stadium (Edmonton)|Commonwealth Stadium]], [[Edmonton]] || {{fb|Canada}} || 2–1 || [[1995 Canada Cup|Canada Cup]] || 1
|27||17||4||0||7||5||colspan="2"|–||38||22
|-
|-
|[[1996 Primera División of Chile|1996]]
| 5 || 1995-10-11 || [[Concepción, Chile|Concepción]] || {{fb|Canada}} || 2–0 || International Match || 1
|10||5||5||2||12||5||colspan="2"|–||27||12
|-
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[Club Atlético River Plate|River Plate]]
| 6 || 1996-02-14 || [[Coquimbo]] || {{fb|Peru}} || 4–0 || International Match|| 1
|[[Argentine Primera División 1996–97|1996–97]]
|rowspan="2"|[[Argentine Primera División]]
|26||11||colspan="2"|–||4||0||colspan="2"|–||30||11
|-
|-
|[[Argentine Primera División 1997–98|1997–98]]
| 8 || 1996-05-26 || [[Santiago, Chile|Santiago]] || {{fb|Bolivia}} || 2–0 || International Match || 2
|27||13||colspan="2"|–||10||7||colspan="2"|–||37||20
|-
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
| 9 || 1996-07-06 || [[Santiago, Chile|Santiago]] || {{fb|Ecuador}} || 4–1 || [[1998 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL)|1998 FIFA World Cup qualification]] || 1
!53!!24!!colspan="2"|–!!14!!7!!colspan="2"|–!!67!!31
|-
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[SS Lazio|Lazio]]
| 10 || 1996-08-25 || [[Liberia]] || {{fb|Costa Rica}} || 1–1 || International Match || 1
|[[1998–99 SS Lazio season|1998–99]]
|rowspan="3"|[[Serie A]]
|30||15||6||5||6{{efn|name=UCWC|Appearances in [[UEFA Cup Winners' Cup]]}}||4||1{{efn|name=SCI|Appearance in [[Supercoppa Italiana]]}}||0||43||24
|-
|-
|[[1999–2000 SS Lazio season|1999–2000]]
| 11 || 1996-11-12 || [[Santiago, Chile|Santiago]] || {{fb|Uruguay}} || 1–0 || 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification || 1
|28||12||3||0||10{{efn|name=UCL|Appearances in [[UEFA Champions League]]}}||4||1{{efn|Appearance in [[UEFA Super Cup]]}}||1||42||17
|-
|-
|[[2000–01 SS Lazio season|2000–01]]
| 12 || 1997-06-08 || [[Quito]] || {{fb|Ecuador}} || 1–1 || 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification || 1
|21||7||2||1||9{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||0||0||32||8
|-
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
| 15 || 1997-07-05 || [[Santiago, Chile|Santiago]] || {{fb|Colombia}} || 4–1 || 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification || 3
!79!!34!!11!!6!!25!!8!!2!!1!!107!!49
|-
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[Juventus FC|Juventus]]
| 16 || 1997-09-10 || [[Santiago, Chile|Santiago]] || {{fb|Argentina}} || 1–2 || 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification || 1
|[[2001–02 Juventus FC season|2001–02]]
|rowspan="2"|Serie A
|7||1||2||0||2{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||colspan="2"|–||11||1
|-
|-
|[[2002–03 Juventus FC season|2002–03]]
| 19 || 1997-10-12 || [[Santiago, Chile|Santiago]] || {{fb|Peru}} || 4–0 || 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification || 3
|11||1||4||1||4{{efn|name=UCL}}||1||1{{efn|name=SCI}}||0||20||3
|-
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
| 20 || 1997-11-16 || [[Santiago, Chile|Santiago]] || {{fb|Bolivia}} || 3–0 || 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification || 1
!18!!2!!6!!1!!6!!1!!1!!0!!31!!4
|-
|-
|rowspan="3"|River Plate
| 22 || 1998-02-11 || [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley Stadium]], London || {{fb|England}} || 2–0 || Friendly
|[[2003–04 Argentine Primera División|2003–04]]
|| 2
|rowspan="2"|Argentine Primera División
|17||6||colspan="2"|–||4||2||colspan="2"|–||21||8
|-
|-
|[[2004–05 Argentine Primera División|2004–05]]
| 23 || 1998-04-22 || [[Santiago, Chile|Santiago]] || {{fb|Colombia}} || 2–2 || International Match || 1
|15||4||colspan="2"|–||7||5||colspan="2"|–||22||9
|-
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
| 24 || 1998-05-24 || [[Santiago, Chile|Santiago]] || {{fb|Uruguay}} || 2–2 || International Match || 1
!32!!10!!colspan="2"|–!!11!!7!!colspan="2"|–!!43!!17
|-
|-
|rowspan="5"|Universidad de Chile
| 25 || 1998-05-31 || [[Montélimar]] || {{fb|Tunisia}} || 3–2 || International Match || 1
|[[2005 Primera División of Chile|2005]]
|rowspan="4"|Chilean Primera División
|10||5||colspan="2"|–||||||colspan="2"|–||10||5
|-
|-
|[[2006 Primera División of Chile|2006]]
| 26 || 1998-06-04 || [[Avignon]] || {{fb|Morocco}} || 1–1 || International Match || 1
|28||13||colspan="2"|–||||||colspan="2"|–||28||13
|-
|-
|[[2007 Primera División of Chile|2007]]
| 28 || 1998-06-11 || [[Stade Chaban-Delmas|Parc Lescure]], [[Bordeaux]] || {{fb|Italy}} || 2–2 || [[1998 FIFA World Cup]] || 2
|14||8||colspan="2"|–||||||colspan="2"|–||14||8
|-
|-
|[[2008 Primera División of Chile|2008]]
| 29 || 1998-07-17 || [[Stade Geoffroy-Guichard]], [[Saint-Étienne]] || {{fb|Austria}} || 1–1 || 1998 FIFA World Cup || 1
|30||11||||||||||colspan="2"|–||30||11
|-
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
| 30 || 1998-07-27 || [[Parc des Princes]], Paris || {{fb|Brazil}} || 1–4 || 1998 FIFA World Cup || 1
!82!!37!!colspan="2"|–!!!!!!colspan="2"|–!!82!!37
|-
|-
!colspan="3"|Career total
| 31 || 2000-06-29 || [[Estadio Nacional de Chile]], [[Santiago, Chile|Santiago]] || {{fb|Paraguay}} || 3–1 || [[2002 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL)|2002 FIFA World Cup qualification]] || 1
!333!!155!!42!!21!!81!!34!!3!!1!!458!!248<ref>{{cite news |url=http://diario.latercera.com/2012/01/08/01/contenido/deportes/4-96589-9-los-10-mas-grandes-goleadores-de-chile.shtml|title=Los 10 más grandes goleadores de Chile |newspaper=La Tercera Edición Impresa}}</ref>
|}
{{notelist}}

===International===
<ref>{{NFT player|id=1401}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/salas-intlg.html|title=José Marcelo Salas – Goals in International Matches}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
| colspan=3 | [[Chile national football team|Chile]]
|-
|-
!Year!!Apps!!Goals
| 32 || 2000-08-15 || [[Estadio Nacional de Chile]], [[Santiago, Chile|Santiago]] || {{fb|Brazil}} || 3–0 || 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification || 1
|-
|-
| 34 || 2001-08-14 || [[Estadio Nacional de Chile]], [[Santiago, Chile|Santiago]] || {{fb|Bolivia}} || 2–2 || 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification || 2
|-
|-
|1994||3||1
|35 || 2005-06-04 || [[Estadio Nacional de Chile]], [[Santiago, Chile|Santiago]] || {{fb|Bolivia}} || 3–1 || 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL)|2006 FIFA World Cup qualification || 1
|-
|-
|1995||12||4
| 37 || 2007-11-18 || [[Estadio Centenario]], [[Montevideo]] || {{fb|Uruguay}} || 2–2 || [[2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL)|2010 FIFA World Cup qualification]] || 2
|-
|-
|1996||11||6
|-
|1997||7||9
|-
|1998||10||10
|-
|1999||5||0
|-
|2000||7||2
|-
|2001||2||2
|-
|2002||0||0
|-
|2003||0||0
|-
|2004||4||0
|-
|2005||3||1
|-
|2006||0||0
|-
|2007||6||2
|-
!Total||70||37
|}
|}


'''International goals'''
==Career statistics==
:Score and Result lists Chile's goals first
{{Football player statistics 1|NY}}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style=
{{Football player statistics 2|CHI|NY}}
|-
|-
! # !! Date !! Venue !! Opponent !! Score !! Competition
|1993||rowspan="4"|[[Club de Fútbol Universidad de Chile|Universidad de Chile]]||rowspan="4"|[[Liga Chilena de Fútbol: Primera División|Primera División]]||15||1||||||||||15||1
|-
|-
| 1 || 18 May 1994 || [[Santiago, Chile|Santiago]] || {{fb|Argentina}} || 3–3 || [[Exhibition game|International match]]
|[[1994 Chilean Primera División season|1994]]|||25||27||15||12||6||2||46||41
|-
|-
| 2 || 29 March 1995 || Los Angeles || {{fb|Mexico}} || 2–1 || International match
|[[1995 Chilean Primera División season|1995]]|||27||17||4||0||7||5||38||22
|-
|-
| 3 || 22 April 1995 || [[Temuco]] || {{fb|Iceland}} || 1–1 || International match
|[[1996 Chilean Primera División season|1996]]|||10||5||5||2||12||5||27||12
{{Football player statistics 2|ARG|NY}}
|-
|-
| 4 || 28 May 1995 || [[Commonwealth Stadium (Edmonton)|Commonwealth Stadium]], Edmonton || {{fb|Canada}} || 2–1 || [[1995 Canada Cup|Canada Cup]]
|[[Argentine Primera División 1996-97|1996-97]]||rowspan="2"|[[Club Atlético River Plate|River Plate]]||rowspan="2"|[[Argentine Primera División|Primera División]]||26||11||colspan="2"|-||4||0||30||11
|-
|-
| 5 || 11 October 1995 || [[Concepción, Chile|Concepción]] || {{fb|Canada}} || 2–0 || International match
|[[Argentine Primera División 1997-98|1997-98]]||27||13||colspan="2"|-||10||7||37||20
{{Football player statistics 2|ITA|NY}}
|-
|-
| 6 || 14 February 1996 || [[Coquimbo]] || {{fb|Peru}} || 4–0 || International match
|[[1998&ndash;99 Serie A|1998&ndash;99]]||rowspan="3"|[[S.S. Lazio|Lazio]]||rowspan="3"|[[Serie A]]||30||15||7||5||6||3||43||23
|-
|-
| 7 || 26 May 1996 || [[Santiago, Chile|Santiago]] || {{fb|Bolivia}} || 2–0 || International match
|[[1999&ndash;00 Serie A|1999&ndash;00]]||28||12||3||0||11||5||42||17
|-
|-
| 8 || 26 May 1996 || [[Santiago, Chile|Santiago]] || {{fb|Bolivia}} || 2–0 || International match
|[[2000&ndash;01 Serie A|2000&ndash;01]]||21||7||2||1||9||0||32||8
|-
|-
| 9 || 6 July 1996 || [[Santiago, Chile|Santiago]] || {{fb|Ecuador}} || 4–1 || [[1998 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL)|1998 FIFA World Cup qualification]]
|[[2001&ndash;02 Serie A|2001&ndash;02]]||rowspan="2"|[[Juventus F.C.|Juventus]]||rowspan="2"|[[Serie A]]||7||1||2||1||2||0||11||2
|-
|-
| 10 || 25 August 1996 || [[Liberia]] || {{fb|Costa Rica}} || 1–1 || International match
|[[2002&ndash;03 Serie A|2002&ndash;03]]||11||1||2||0||2||1||15||2
{{Football player statistics 2|ARG|NY}}
|-
|-
| 11 || 12 November 1996 || [[Santiago, Chile|Santiago]] || {{fb|Uruguay}} || 1–0 || 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification
|[[Argentine Primera División 2003-04|2003-04]]||rowspan="2"|[[Club Atlético River Plate|River Plate]]||rowspan="2"|[[Argentine Primera División|Primera División]]||17||6||colspan="2"|-||4||2||21||8
|-
|-
| 12 || 8 June 1997 || [[Quito]] || {{fb|Ecuador}} || 1–1 || 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification
|[[Argentine Primera División 2004-05|2004-05]]||15||4||colspan="2"|-||7||5||22||9
{{Football player statistics 2|CHI|NY}}
|-
|-
| 13 || 5 July 1997 || [[Santiago, Chile|Santiago]] || {{fb|Colombia}} || 4–1 || 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification
|2005||rowspan="4"|[[Club de Fútbol Universidad de Chile|Universidad de Chile]]||rowspan="4"|[[Liga Chilena de Fútbol: Primera División|Primera División]]||10||5||colspan="2"|-||||||10||5
|-
|-
| 14 || 5 July 1997 || [[Santiago, Chile|Santiago]] || {{fb|Colombia}} || 4–1 || 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification
|2006||28||13||colspan="2"|-||||||28||13
|-
|-
| 15 || 5 July 1997 || [[Santiago, Chile|Santiago]] || {{fb|Colombia}} || 4–1 || 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification
|[[2007 Chilean Primera División season|2007]]||14||8||colspan="2"|-||||||14||8
|-
|-
| 16 || 10 September 1997 || [[Santiago, Chile|Santiago]] || {{fb|Argentina}} || 1–2 || 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification
|[[2008 Chilean Primera División season|2008]]||30||11||||||||||30||11
{{Football player statistics 3|3|CHI}}159||87||21||14||25||12||208||113
{{Football player statistics 4|ARG}}85||34||||||25||14||110||48
{{Football player statistics 4|ITA}}97||36||16||7||30||9||143||52
{{Football player statistics 5}}333||155||40||21||80||35||453||248<ref>http://diario.latercera.com/2012/01/08/01/contenido/deportes/4-96589-9-los-10-mas-grandes-goleadores-de-chile.shtml</ref>
{{Football player statistics end}}

<ref>http://www.national-football-teams.com/v2/player.php?id=1435</ref>
<ref>http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/salas-intlg.html</ref>
{{Football player national team statistics|CHI}}
|-
|-
| 17 || 12 October 1997 || [[Santiago, Chile|Santiago]] || {{fb|Peru}} || 4–0 || 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification
|1994||3||1
|-
|-
| 18 || 12 October 1997 || [[Santiago, Chile|Santiago]] || {{fb|Peru}} || 4–0 || 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification
|1995||12||4
|-
|-
| 19 || 12 October 1997 || [[Santiago, Chile|Santiago]] || {{fb|Peru}} || 4–0 || 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification
|1996||11||6
|-
|-
| 20 || 16 November 1997 || [[Santiago, Chile|Santiago]] || {{fb|Bolivia}} || 3–0 || 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification
|1997||7||9
|-
|-
| 21 || 11 February 1998 || [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley Stadium]], London || {{fb|England}} || 2–0 || International match
|1998||10||10
|-
|-
| 22 || 11 February 1998 || [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley Stadium]], London || {{fb|England}} || 2–0 || International match
|1999||5||0
|-
|-
| 23 || 22 April 1998 || [[Santiago, Chile|Santiago]] || {{fb|Colombia}} || 2–2 || International match
|2000||7||2
|-
|-
| 24 || 24 May 1998 || [[Santiago, Chile|Santiago]] || {{fb|Uruguay}} || 2–2 || International match
|2001||2||2
|-
|-
| 25 || 31 May 1998 || [[Montélimar]] || {{fb|Tunisia}} || 3–2 || International match
|2002||0||0
|-
|-
| 26 || 4 June 1998 || [[Avignon]] || {{fb|Morocco}} || 1–1 || International match
|2003||0||0
|-
|-
| 27 || 11 June 1998 || [[Stade Chaban-Delmas|Parc Lescure]], [[Bordeaux]] || {{fb|Italy}} || 2–2 || [[1998 FIFA World Cup]]
|2004||4||0
|-
|-
| 28 || 11 June 1998 || [[Stade Chaban-Delmas|Parc Lescure]], [[Bordeaux]] || {{fb|Italy}} || 2–2 || [[1998 FIFA World Cup]]
|2005||3||1
|-
|-
| 29 || 17 June 1998 || [[Stade Geoffroy-Guichard]], [[Saint-Étienne]] || {{fb|Austria}} || 1–1 || 1998 FIFA World Cup
|2006||0||0
|-
|-
| 30 || 27 June 1998 || [[Parc des Princes]], Paris || {{fb|Brazil}} || 1–4 || 1998 FIFA World Cup
|2007||6||2
|-
| 31 || 29 June 2000 || [[Estadio Nacional de Chile]], [[Santiago, Chile|Santiago]] || {{fb|Paraguay}} || 3–1 || [[2002 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL)|2002 FIFA World Cup qualification]]
|-
| 32 || 15 August 2000 || [[Estadio Nacional de Chile]], [[Santiago, Chile|Santiago]] || {{fb|Brazil}} || 3–0 || 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification
|-
| 33 || 14 August 2001 || [[Estadio Nacional de Chile]], [[Santiago, Chile|Santiago]] || {{fb|Bolivia}} || 2–2 || 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification
|-
| 34 || 14 August 2001 || [[Estadio Nacional de Chile]], [[Santiago, Chile|Santiago]] || {{fb|Bolivia}} || 2–2 || 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification
|-
| 35 || 4 June 2005 || [[Estadio Nacional de Chile]], [[Santiago, Chile|Santiago]] || {{fb|Bolivia}} || 3–1 || 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL)|2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
|-
| 36 || 18 November 2007 || [[Estadio Centenario]], Montevideo || {{fb|Uruguay}} || 2–2 || [[2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL)|2010 FIFA World Cup qualification]]
|-
| 37 || 18 November 2007 || [[Estadio Centenario]], Montevideo || {{fb|Uruguay}} || 2–2 || [[2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL)|2010 FIFA World Cup qualification]]
|-
|-
!Total||70||37
|}
|}

==Personal life==
He is the nephew-in-law of the former Chile international footballer {{ill|Sergio Messen|es|vertical-align=sup}} since his wife, Carolina Messen, is Sergio's niece.<ref name="deadball">{{cite web |last1=Abarzúa |first1=Esteban |title=Secretos de camarín |url=https://deadball.cl/2020/03/30/secretos-de-camarin/ |website=DeadBall |access-date=7 November 2022 |language=es |date=30 March 2020}}</ref>

His maternal surname, Melinao, means "four lions" in [[Mapuche language|Mapudungun]].<ref name="deadball"/>

Salas gave his backing to [[José Antonio Kast]] in the run-up to the [[2021 Chilean presidential election]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Marcelo Salas apoyó a Kast en las elecciones en Chile y su hija recibió violentas amenazas |url=https://www.ole.com.ar/fuera-de-juego/marcelo-salas-katz-mensajes-_0_pipk2e7h_.html |access-date=20 December 2021 |language=Spanish |archive-date=20 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211220203526/https://www.ole.com.ar/fuera-de-juego/marcelo-salas-katz-mensajes-_0_pipk2e7h_.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Honours==

===Club===
'''Universidad de Chile'''
*[[Chilean Primera División|Primera División de Chile]]: [[1994 Primera División of Chile|1994]], [[1995 Primera División of Chile|1995]]

'''River Plate'''
*[[Argentine Primera División]]: [[1996–97 Argentine Primera División#Torneo Apertura|1996 Apertura]], [[1996–97 Argentine Primera División#Torneo Clausura|1997 Clausura]], [[1997–98 Argentine Primera División#Torneo Apertura|1997 Apertura]], [[2003–04 Argentine Primera División#Torneo Clausura|2004 Clausura]]
*[[Supercopa Libertadores]]: [[1997 Supercopa Libertadores|1997]]

'''Lazio'''
*[[Serie A]]: [[1999–2000 Serie A|1999–2000]]
*[[Coppa Italia]]: [[1999–2000 Coppa Italia|1999–2000]]
*[[Supercoppa Italiana]]: [[1998 Supercoppa Italiana|1998]]
*[[UEFA Cup Winners' Cup]]: [[1998–99 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup|1998–99]]
*[[UEFA Super Cup]]: [[1999 UEFA Super Cup|1999]]

'''Juventus'''
*Serie A: [[2001–02 Serie A|2001–02]], [[2002–03 Serie A|2002–03]]
*Supercoppa Italiana: [[2002 Supercoppa Italiana|2002]]

===Individual===
*[[Copa Chile]] Top scorer: 1994
*America's Ideal Team: 1996, 1997
*[[South American Footballer of the Year]]: 1997
*[[Argentine Footballer of the Year]]: 1997
*[[Olimpia Award]]: 1997<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ciudaddeldeporte.com/articulo/vina-y-la-historia-del-deporte/36/7983/20-de-diciembre-1997-salas-chileno-matador-fenomeno.html|title=20 de diciembre 1997: Salas, Chileno, Matador, Fenómeno...|first=I. Municipalidad de Viña del|last=Mar|website=Ciudad del Deporte – Viña del Mar Chile}}</ref>
*Chile's Best Athlete Award: 1997
*3rd "Best Centre Forward in the World" RSS Award for the best footballer of the year: 1997<ref>[https://www.rsssf.org/rssbest/rsspoy97.html Rec.sport.soccer Player of the Year Award 1997]</ref>
*[[Chilean Footballer of the Year]]: 1997, 1998
*Included within the 10 figures of [[1998 FIFA World Cup]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://m.eluniversal.com.co/mundial/brasil-2014/historia/francia-1998-28|title=FRANCIA 1998 &#124; Copa mundial de la FIFA Brasil 2014|website=m.eluniversal.com.co}}</ref>
*5th "Best Centre Forward in the World" RSS Award for the best footballer of the year: 1998<ref>[https://www.rsssf.org/rssbest/rsspoy98.html Rec.sport.soccer Player of the Year Award 1998]</ref>
*Integra the [[Rest of the world in sports and games]] 1998<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.clarin.com/deportes/batistuta-ronaldo-fiesta-italianos_0_B1d6VGJU3e.amp.html|title=Batistuta y Ronaldo, en la fiesta de los italianos|website=www.clarin.com|date=16 December 1998 }}</ref>
*5th "Best Centre Forward in the World" RSS Award for the best footballer of the year: 1999<ref>[https://www.rsssf.org/rssbest/rsspoy99.html Rec.sport.soccer Player of the Year Award 1999]</ref>
*Best South American striker of the 1990s by [[IFFHS]]: No. 3<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://iffhs.de/posts/498 |title=IFFHS HISTORY: SOUTH AMERICA – PLAYER OF THE CENTURY (1900–1999) |publisher=IFFHS.de |date=16 October 2017}}</ref>
*Best South American striker of the 20th century by [[IFFHS]]: No. 19<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://iffhs.de/posts/498 |title=IFFHS HISTORY: SOUTH AMERICA – PLAYER OF THE CENTURY (1900–1999) |publisher=IFFHS.de |date=16 October 2017}}</ref>
*Best South American player of the 20th century by [[IFFHS]]: No. 31<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://iffhs.de/posts/498 |title=IFFHS HISTORY: SOUTH AMERICA – PLAYER OF THE CENTURY (1900–1999) |publisher=IFFHS.de |date=16 October 2017}}</ref>
*[[Order of the Liberator General San Martín]]: 2009<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.emol.com/noticias/deportes/2009/12/15/389618/embajada-argentina-en-chile-honra-a-marcelo-salas-con-importante-distincion.html|title=Embajada argentina en Chile honra a Marcelo Salas con importante distinción &#124; Emol.com|first=El Mercurio|last=S.A.P|date=15 December 2009|website=Emol}}</ref>
*Included in the Top 10 Best Scorers in the History of South American Soccer<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pasionfutbol.com/fanaticos/Los-mejores-goleadores-de-la-historia-del-futbol-sudamericano--20130916-0001.html|title=Los mejores goleadores de la historia del fútbol sudamericano|website=Pasión Fútbol}}</ref>
*7th best South American left-foot soccer player in history ("Bleacher Report" magazine)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pasionfutbol.com/noticias/Los-diez-mejores-futbolistas-sudamericanos-zurdos-de-la-historia-20130319-0029.html|title=Los diez mejores futbolistas sudamericanos zurdos de la historia|website=Pasión Fútbol}}</ref>
*4th best striker in the history of South America of the 1990s<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.90min.com/es/posts/3945294-8-delanteros-sudamericanos-de-los-90-que-hicieron-historia-en-el-futbol-mundial|title=8 delanteros sudamericanos de los '90 que hicieron historia en el fútbol mundial|date=16 October 2016|website=90min.com}}</ref>
*Included in the best 50 soccer players in history representative of each country by [[These Football Times]] ([[The Guardian]])<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thesefootballtimes.co/2017/08/23/how-marcelo-salas-became-chiles-greatest-goalscorer/|title=How Marcelo Salas became Chile's greatest goalscorer|date=23 August 2017}}</ref>
*Included in the 50 Greatest South American Footballers of All Time: #27<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.90min.com/posts/6404606-50-greatest-south-american-footballers-of-all-time |title=50 Greatest South American Footballers of All Time |work=90min.com|author=Joe Marcovitch|date=4 July 2019}}</ref>

== Tributes ==

In the year 2004 the [[Club Atlético River Plate|River Plate]] club of [[Argentina]] honored and immortalized the figure of Marcelo Salas with a portrait of the image of the "Matador" in the dressing rooms of the [[Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti|Monumental de Nuñez Stadium]], being included among the most prominent idols in the club's history.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mercurioantofagasta.cl/prontus4_noticias/site/artic/20040827/pags/20040827020549.html |title=River includes Salas in idol gallery |editor=mercurioantofagasta.cl |date=27 August 2004}}</ref> Also in the year 2009, at the inauguration of the museum of the Argentine club, the goals of Marcelo Salas are portrayed in videos and images (the goals of the titles of the Apertura 1996, Clausura 1997, Apertura 1997, Supercopa Sudamericana 1997, among others), in addition to the shirts and boots that Marcelo Salas wore while he played in [[Club Atlético River Plate|River Plate]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.estrellavalpo.cl/prontus4_noticias/site/artic/20091030/pags/20091030115701.html |title=Marcelo Salas will be featured in the River Plate museum |editor=estrellavalpo.cl |date=30 October 2009}}</ref>

In the year 2013 Marcelo Salas received a tribute from the [[English Football Association|English Football Federation]] at [[Wembley Stadium]] for his "excellent performance" in the England vs Chile match from 11 February from 1998.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.24horas.cl/deportes/mundialbrasil2014/marcelo-salas-recibe-homenaje-en-wembley-tras-15-anos-938199#:~:text=Eso%20fue%20lo%20que%20ocurri%C3%B3,excelente%20participaci%C3%B3n%20en%20ese%20encuentro.| title = Marcelo Salas receives tribute in Wembley after 15 years |work=24 horas | date = 15 November 2013}}</ref> Where his first goal of that match is portrayed in the museum of said stadium, as one of the best goals in all history scored at [[Wembley Stadium]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://as.com/videos/2016/11/14/chile/1479079391_088322.html |title=Goal of Salas between the best scores from Wembley |editor=as.com |date=10 October 2019}}</ref>

=== Players tribute ===

Long is the list of public figures whose idol is the "Matador" where several of them have decided to honor Marcelo Salas by imitating his typical celebration after scoring a goal: knee to the ground, head bowed and one arm pointing to the sky. Among the players who have Salas as an idol, the following stand out:<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.meganoticias.cl/amp/deportes/fotos:-todos-los-deportistas-que-le-dedicaron-su-festejo-a-marcelo-salas.html |title=All the athletes who dedicated their celebration to Marcelo Salas |editor=meganoticias.cl |date=9 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.prensafutbol.cl/357215-mauricio-isla-mi-idolo-es-marcelo-salas-ojala-pueda-jugar-en-la-u/ |title=Mauricio Isla: My idol is Marcelo Salas, I hope I can play in the U |editor=prensafutbol.cl |date=8 June 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.prensafutbol.cl/352693-the-anecdotes-of-the-race-of-diaz-discovered-soccer-with-sampaoli/ |title=Diaz's learning when he met Marcelo Salas |editor=prensafutbol.cl |date=22 April 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://amp.tvn.cl/entretencion/teleton/fanatico-del-matador-lanzo-inspirador-mensaje-2906298 |title=Fanatic del Matador launched an inspiring message |editor=tvn.cl |date=1 December 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.biobiochile.cl/noticias/deportes/futbol/universidad-de-chile/2018/02/17/amp/causo-furor-david-pizarro-homenajeo-a-marcelo-salas-luego-de-anotar.shtml |title=David Pizarro paid tribute to Marcelo Salas after scoring |editor=biobiochile.cl |date=17 February 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.encancha.cl/tenista-argentino-federico-coria-celebro-como-marcelo-salas-la-obtencion-de-su-primer-challenger/amp/ |title=Argentine tennis player Federico Coria celebrated as Marcelo Salas the obtaining of his first Challenger |editor=encancha.cl |date=6 May 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://chile.as.com/chile/2019/12/08/deporte_femenino/1575817838_327224.amp.html |title=Chilena de River scored a goal and celebrated as Marcelo Salas |editor=chile.as.com |date=8 December 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.adnradio.cl/deportes/2010/04/08/gonzalo-higuain-destaco-a-salas-como-uno-de-sus-idolos-deportivos-985301.html?amp=1 |title=Gonzalo Higuaín highlighted Salas as one of his sports idols |editor=adnradio.cl |date=8 April 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.encancha.cl/javier-saviola-se-deshizo-en-elogios-a-marcelo-salas/amp/ |title=Javier Saviola praised Marcelo Salas |editor=encancha.cl |date=28 May 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://chile.as.com/chile/2016/06/21/futbol/1466517352_597975.amp.html |title=The unknown suffering of Eduardo Vargas in his childhood |editor=chile.as.com |date=9 October 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ole.com.ar/futbol-internacional/espana/las-huellas-que-dejo-solari-en-argentina_0_7lEX6JNJc.amp.html |title=Solari's footprint in Argentina |editor=ole.com.ar |date=29 October 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://redgol.cl/amp/seleccionchilena/Christiane-Endler-Mi-idolo-maximo-es-Marcelo-Salas.-Mi-first-soccer-shirt-that-I-had-was-the-of-River-Plate-20200424-0075.html |title=Christiane Endler: "My greatest idol is Marcelo Salas. My first soccer jersey I had was River Plate's"|editor=redgol.cl |date=24 April 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.prensafutbol.cl/101270-larrondo-gustaria-jugar-por-chile-pero-por-ahora-hay-nada/ |title=Larrondo wants to play for Chile like his idol Marcelo Salas |editor=prensafutbol.cl |date=4 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://chile.as.com/chile/2020/02/26/futbol/1582693836_881979.amp.html |title=Salas made the River fans, let's follow Chile |editor=chile.as.com |date=26 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.prensafutbol.cl/55210-para-vidal-sus-espejos-en-champions-son-marcelo-salas-y-makelele/ |title=For Vidal, his mirrors in the Champions are his idols Marcelo Salas and Makelele |publisher=prensafutbol.cl |date=12 May 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.redgol.cl/amp/udechile/Carla-Guerrero-y-su-homenaje-a-Marcelo-Salas-tras-un-golazo-de-Universidad-de-Chile-femenina-20210523-0046.html |title=Carla Guerrero and her tribute to Marcelo Salas: she celebrated like Matador after a great goal for the U against the Catholic |editor=redgol.cl |date=23 May 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://newswep.com/carla-guerrero-and-her-tribute-to-marcelo-salas-matador-celebration-after-a-great-goal-for-the-u-against-the-catholic/ |title=Carla Guerrera and her tribute to Marcelo Salas: Matador celebration after a great goal for the U against the Catholic |editor=newswep.com |date=23 May 2021}}</ref>



'''Football players'''

* {{flag|CHI}} [[Alexis Sánchez]]
* {{flag|CHI}} [[Arturo Vidal]]
* {{flag|CHI}} [[Charles Aránguiz]]
* {{flag|CHI}} [[David Pizarro]]
* {{flag|FRA}} [[David Trezeguet]]
* {{flag|CHI}} [[Eduardo Vargas]]
* {{flag|ARG}} [[Gastón Fernández]]
* {{flag|ARG}} [[Gonzalo Higuaín]]
* {{flag|CHI}} [[Humberto Suazo]]
* {{flag|ARG}} [[Javier Saviola]]
* {{flag|CHI}} [[José Luis Villanueva]]
* {{flag|CHI}} [[Marcelo Díaz]]
* {{flag|ARG}} [[Marcelo Larrondo]]
* {{flag|CHI}} [[Mauricio Isla]]
* {{flag|ARG}} [[Pablo Aimar]]
* {{flag|COL}} [[Radamel Falcao]]
* {{flag|ARG}} [[Santiago Solari]]
* {{flag|CHI}} [[Carla Guerrero]]
* {{flag|CHI}} [[Christiane Endler]]
* {{flag|CHI}} Camila Pavez

'''Golfer'''

* {{flag|CHI}} [[Nicole Perrot]]

'''Tennis players'''

* {{flag|ARG}} [[Guillermo Coria]]
* {{flag|ARG}} [[Facundo Bagnis]]
* {{flag|ARG}} [[Federico Coria]]
* {{flag|CHI}} Felipe Arevalo

=== Tributes from the world of music ===
On 16 October 1997, [[Jay Kay]], lead singer of the English band [[Jamiroquai]], paid tribute to Marcelo Salas, in his presentation with the band at the [[Teatro Caupolicán]], wearing the traditional shirt number 11 from Salas where he celebrated as the Matador on stage<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://chile.as.com/chile/2018/02/21/tikitakas/1519238717_592885.amp.html |title=The day Jamiroquai honored Matador Salas |editor=chile.as.com |date=2 July 2019}}</ref>

On 11 February 1998 the Irish band [[U2]] performed in Chile for the first time. That day the vocalist and leader [[Bono (musician)|Bono]] went on stage at the [[Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos|National Stadium]] along with the rest of the members wearing Marcelo Salas' jersey number 11, where at the same time Salas' goals playing for Chile against England at [[Wembley Stadium]] were displayed on a giant screen.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.goal.com/es-cl/news/4768/selecci%C3%B3n/2016/02/11/20255062/el-d%C3%ADa-in-what-u2-put-the-red-thanks-to-the-matador |title=The day in that U2 got the Red thanks to the "Matador" |editor=goal.com |date=11 February 2016}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
*{{es icon}} [http://www.marcelosalas.cl/ Official Website]
* {{Official website|url=http://www.marcelosalas.cl/}} {{in lang|es}}
* [http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/salas-intlg.html International Career]
* [https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/salas-intlg.html International Career]
* {{FIFA player|154557}}
* {{FIFA player|154557}}
* {{Soccerway|marcelo-salas/20757}}
* [http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/sam-poy.html 1st in South America Player of the Year 1997]
* {{WorldFootball.net|marcelo-salas}}
* [http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/sampoy96.html 7th in South America Player of the Year 1996]
* [http://www.rsssf.com/rssbest/rsspoy97.html 8th in the World Player of the Year Award 1997]
* [https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/sam-poy.html 1st in South America Player of the Year 1997]
* [http://www.rsssf.com/rssbest/rsspoy98.html 14th in the World Player of the Year Award 1998]
* [https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/sampoy96.html 7th in South America Player of the Year 1996]
* [http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/arg-poy.html Argentina Player of the Year 1997]
* [https://www.rsssf.org/rssbest/rsspoy97.html 8th in the World Player of the Year Award 1997]
* [https://www.rsssf.org/rssbest/rsspoy98.html 14th in the World Player of the Year Award 1998]
* [https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/arg-poy.html Argentina Player of the Year 1997]
* [[FIFA World Cup awards|Bronze Boot Award in the World Cup 1998]]
* [[FIFA World Cup awards|Bronze Boot Award in the World Cup 1998]]
* [http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/iffhs-century.html 31st in IFFHS South American Player of the Century]
* [https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/iffhs-century.html 31st in IFFHS South American Player of the Century]


{{Navboxes colour
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|title= Awards
|title= Awards
|list1=
|list1=
{{1996 South American Team of the Year}}
{{1997 South American Team of the Year}}
{{South American Footballer of the Year}}
{{South American Footballer of the Year}}
{{Argentine Footballer of the Year}}
{{Argentine Footballer of the Year}}
{{Copa Chile topscorers}}
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{{Authority control}}


{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
| NAME = Salas, Marcelo
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = Chilean footballer
| DATE OF BIRTH = December 24, 1974
| PLACE OF BIRTH = [[Temuco]], [[Chile]]
| DATE OF DEATH =
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Salas, Marcelo}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Salas, Marcelo}}
[[Category:1974 births]]
[[Category:1974 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Chilean footballers]]
[[Category:Chilean people of Mapuche descent]]
[[Category:Mapuche sportspeople]]
[[Category:Footballers from Temuco]]
[[Category:Chilean men's footballers]]
[[Category:Chilean expatriate men's footballers]]
[[Category:Chile men's international footballers]]
[[Category:Chile men's under-20 international footballers]]
[[Category:Club Universidad de Chile footballers]]
[[Category:Club Atlético River Plate footballers]]
[[Category:SS Lazio players]]
[[Category:Juventus FC players]]
[[Category:Chilean Primera División players]]
[[Category:Chilean Primera División players]]
[[Category:Chilean expatriate footballers]]
[[Category:Argentine Primera División players]]
[[Category:Chile international footballers]]
[[Category:Serie A players]]
[[Category:Universidad de Chile players]]
[[Category:Chilean expatriate sportspeople in Argentina]]
[[Category:River Plate footballers]]
[[Category:Chilean expatriate sportspeople in Italy]]
[[Category:Juventus F.C. players]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Argentina]]
[[Category:S.S. Lazio players]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Italy]]
[[Category:Primera División Argentina players]]
[[Category:Serie A footballers]]
[[Category:Expatriate footballers in Italy]]
[[Category:Expatriate footballers in Argentina]]
[[Category:1998 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:1998 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:1995 Copa América players]]
[[Category:1995 Copa América players]]
[[Category:1999 Copa América players]]
[[Category:1999 Copa América players]]
[[Category:Chilean Roman Catholics]]
[[Category:Mapuche people]]
[[Category:South American Footballer of the Year winners]]
[[Category:South American Footballer of the Year winners]]
[[Category:Indigenous sportspeople of the Americas]]
[[Category:Indigenous sportspeople of the Americas]]
[[Category:20th-century Mapuche people]]

[[Category:21st-century Mapuche people]]
[[ar:مارتشيلو سالاس]]
[[Category:Men's association football forwards]]
[[bn:মার্সেলো সালাস]]
[[ca:José Marcelo Salas Melinao]]
[[da:Marcelo Salas]]
[[de:Marcelo Salas]]
[[es:Marcelo Salas]]
[[fr:Marcelo Salas]]
[[ko:마르셀로 살라스]]
[[hr:Marcelo Salas]]
[[id:Marcelo Salas]]
[[it:Marcelo Salas]]
[[he:מרסלו סאלאס]]
[[lt:Marcelo Salas]]
[[hu:Marcelo Salas]]
[[nl:Marcelo Salas]]
[[ja:マルセロ・サラス]]
[[no:Marcelo Salas]]
[[pl:Marcelo Salas]]
[[pt:Marcelo Salas]]
[[ru:Салас, Марсело]]
[[simple:Marcelo Salas]]
[[sk:Marcelo Salas]]
[[fi:Marcelo Salas]]
[[sv:Marcelo Salas]]
[[th:มาร์เซโล ซาลัส]]
[[tr:Marcelo Salas]]
[[zh:马塞洛·萨拉斯]]

Latest revision as of 18:05, 23 August 2024

Marcelo Salas
Salas in 2015
Personal information
Full name José Marcelo Salas Melinao[1]
Date of birth (1974-12-24) 24 December 1974 (age 50)
Place of birth Temuco, Chile
Height 1.74 m (5 ft 9 in)[2]
Position(s) Striker
Youth career
1989–1991 Deportes Temuco
1991–1993 Universidad de Chile
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1993–1996 Universidad de Chile 77 (50)
1996–1998 River Plate 53 (24)
1998–2001 Lazio 79 (34)
2001–2006 Juventus 18 (2)
2003–2005River Plate (loan) 32 (10)
2005–2006Universidad de Chile (loan) 38 (18)
2006–2008 Universidad de Chile 44 (19)
Total 333 (155)
International career
1993 Chile U20
1996 Chile Olympic 7 (8)
1994–2007 Chile 70 (37)
Medal record
Player
Universidad de Chile
Winner Primera División of Chile 1994
Winner Primera División of Chile 1995
River Plate
Winner Torneo Apertura 1996
Winner Torneo Clausura 1997
Winner Torneo Apertura 1997
Winner Supercopa Libertadores 1997
Winner Torneo Clausura 2004
Lazio
Winner Supercoppa Italiana 1998
Winner UEFA Cup Winners' Cup 1999
Winner UEFA Super Cup 1999
Winner Serie A 2000
Winner Coppa Italia 2000
Juventus
Winner Serie A 2002
Winner Supercoppa Italiana 2002
Winner Serie A 2003
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

José Marcelo Salas Melinao (Latin American Spanish: [maɾˈselo ˈsalas]; born 24 December 1974), nicknamed Matador (due to his goalscoring celebrations),[3] El Fenómeno and Shileno, is a Chilean former footballer who played as a striker. Salas is considered the best striker in the history of Chile.[4][5][6] He stood out during the 1990s and 2000s in clubs such as Universidad de Chile, River Plate, Lazio and Juventus. He was the captain of the Chile national team and the top scorer – scoring 45 goals in total: 37 goals for the Chile national football team (4 in World Cups, 18 in World Cup qualification processes and 15 in friendlies)[7] and 8 goals with the Chile Olympic football team.

He played in Chile, Argentina and Italy, winning titles with each club he joined.

The IFFHS ranked him as the 31st best South American player of the 20th century, the 19th best South American forward of the 20th century and the 3rd best South American forward of the 1990s (integrating the podium with Brazilians players Ronaldo and Romário).[8] In 1997 he ranked 3rd as the "best centre forward in the world" (after players Ronaldo and Gabriel Batistuta) and he was ranked 5th in the "Best Centre Forward" category in the RSS Award for the best footballer of the year, in 1998 and 1999.[9][10][11] He was also named the South American Footballer of the Year in 1997.[12][13][14][15]

A powerful and tenacious forward, with good technique, who was well-known for his deft touch with his left foot, as well as his aerial ability, Salas had a prolific goalscoring record throughout his career. Between 1996 and 2001 he was considered one of the best forwards in the world, often compared to Ronaldo and Gabriel Batistuta.[16][17]

Salas is considered one of the greatest players in the history of Universidad de Chile, an icon for the football team River Plate of Argentina,[18][19] and one of the greatest foreign players in Lazio's history.[20][21] He played for the Chile national football team at the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France, where he scored four goals in four matches, leading his team to the second round of the competition. Additionally, Salas played for the Chile national football team at two Copa América tournaments, helping his team to reach fourth place in the 1999 edition of the tournament.

Currently, after his retirement as a football player, he has continued linked to the sport, being since May 2013 the president of Deportes Temuco (a club that on that date absorbed Unión Temuco, owned by him from 2008 to April 2013). The club is now in 2nd division of Chile, the Primera B.

Club career

[edit]

Universidad de Chile

[edit]

Born in Temuco, Salas played for the Deportes Temuco youth team until his father took him to Santiago de Chile to be incorporated into the Universidad de Chile team.

Salas joined the Universidad de Chile team in 1993 and debuted on 4 January 1994 in a match against Cobreloa where he scored a goal. Finally, Salas was consolidated in the match against Colo Colo at the National Stadium, where he scored a Hat-trick in the 4–1 victory.[22] His great performances quickly led the university fans to give him the nickname of "Matador" due to his cold blood when defining, also inspired by the song of the same name by the Argentine musical group Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, which at that time was fashionable in Latin America. It was also at this time that he patented his particular way of celebrating goals: he put one leg down, bowed his head, stretched his right arm and pointed his index finger towards the sky.

Salas helped the team win back-to-back titles in 1994 and 1995, he was an essential player for the Universidad de Chile team, as he was their top scorer in both seasons (27 goals in the first season and 17 goals in the second season). Leaving a trail of 76 goals which included a strong 1996 campaign in the Copa Libertadores.

River Plate

[edit]

Later in 1996, Salas moved to Argentina to play in River Plate team of the Argentine first division of football. On 30 September 1996 he scored his first goal, in a match played against Boca Juniors at the La Bombonera stadium. From 1996 to 1998 Salas scored 31 goals in 67 games, helping River to win the Torneo de Apertura 1996 (where he scored two goals in the 3–0 win over Vélez Sarsfield that made him champion), the Clausura 1997, the Apertura 1997 (scoring the title goal against Argentinos Juniors), and the 1997 Supercopa Libertadores, where he scored the 2 goals in the final against São Paulo that gave the millionaire club the cup. In addition, he was elected the Best Footballer of the season in Argentina and South American Footballer of the Year in 1997. These accomplishments would cement his legacy in Argentina as one of its greatest foreign born players earning the nickname, "El shileno (sic) Salas".

The Argentine team valued his transfer at US$30,000,000 as the English football club Manchester United (The coach Alex Ferguson wanted a player with the characteristics of Ronaldo and Marcelo Salas to replace the retirement of Eric Cantona, Ferguson traveled 14,000 miles to sign Salas, but River Plate refused to sell him.[23]), in addition to great clubs from Italy and Spain for hiring him.[24]

Lazio

[edit]

On 1 February 1998, thanks to his good performances both in Argentina and in the Chile national football team, he was sold to SS Lazio in Italy for US$20.5 million.[25] becoming the highest transfer in history at that time, after Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Denilson (to Inter Milan from Italy, Barcelona and Betis from Spain, respectively).[26]

Salas played in Italy for five years: three years with SS Lazio (1998–2001), a key catalyst in helping turn around a Lazio team that hadn't won a Scudetto since the 1973–1974 season. He made his debut for Lazio on 12 August 1998 against the UEFA Champions League champion, the Real Madrid of Spain, where he scored the second goal of his team, in the Teresa Herrera Trophy.[27] His official debut was for the Supercoppa italiana where his team won the competition after winning 2–1 over Juventus FC, on 29 August 1998. With Salas in the team, successes in Italian football returned for the whole of the Italian capital, after 25 years. He scored his first goal for Serie A playing for Lazio a few days later against Inter Milan. With Lazio he won a Serie A (being Salas the team's top scorer with 12 annotations), an Coppa Italia, two Supercoppa Italiana, a UEFA Cup Winners' Cup and a UEFA Super Cup, scoring the match's only goal in the latter, in a 1–0 win over Manchester United.[28]

Salas quickly became an idol of the Lazio tifosi, where they dedicated songs to him, the most traditional was: "Matador, Matador, che ce frega de Ronaldo noi c'avemo er Matador" (Matador, Matador, what do we care about Ronaldo if we have the Matador).[29][30]

After rejecting offers of US$30,000,000[31] from important football club as: Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, Barcelona, Parma, AC Milan and Inter Milan.[32][33] was in negotiations with Real Madrid to become, together with Zinedine Zidane, one of the two great "meringues" signings of 2001.[34] However, the transfer failed, largely due to the exorbitant sum that the Spanish club had invested in the signing of Zidane. Finally, that same year he signed for Juventus, with the club paying €25,000,000 (US$28,500,000) for him, which at the time was the most expensive transfer of a Chilean player.

Juventus

[edit]

In 2001, he was transferred to Juventus for 55 billion lire[35] (€28.5 million by fixed exchange rate; 22 billion lire cash plus Darko Kovačević[35][36]). His stay in Turin was cut short due to a torn ACL in his right knee in a Serie A match against Bologna in October 2001.[37] Salas endured one of the worst moments of his career at the club; he was hampered by injuries, including a further issue with his knee meniscus the following season,[38] allowing him to participate in only 26 games and scoring just 4 goals across all competitions.

Return to River Plate

[edit]

After Juventus unsuccessfully tried to transfer him to such high-profile European clubs as Manchester United,[39] Chelsea,[40] Liverpool,[41] Barcelona,[42] A.C. Milan,[43] and Sporting Lisbon (in exchange for the transfer of a young Cristiano Ronaldo),[44] in 2003 he was loaned back to River Plate.[45][46]

Hailed as "Saint Matador" by fans,[47] Salas stood out especially in that year's Copa Sudamericana, but could not prevent his team's defeat in the final against Cienciano of Peru, despite scoring the tying goal 3–3 in the first leg. However, he later achieved a new title: the 2004 Clausura.

A year later, he helped River Plate reach the semifinals of the 2005 Copa Libertadores, scoring a hat-trick against Liga de Quito. In his second stay at River Plate, Salas scored 17 goals in 43 games.

Marcelo Salas is regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of River Plate, along with Ángel Labruna, Enzo Francescoli, Ramón Díaz, Norberto Alonso, Ubaldo Fillol and Amadeo Carrizo. In addition, he was one of the few foreign players who have worn the Millonarios captain armband.

Salas in 2008

Universidad de Chile

[edit]

Between 2004 and 2005 he received offers to return to European football from Barcelona in Spain and Inter Milan in Italy, among others.[48][49]

In late July 2005, it was confirmed that he would return to his original team, Universidad de Chile, on a temporary deal from Juventus.[50]

Salas announced his retirement on 28 November 2008, at the age of 33. Before the 23 November game where the Universidad de Chile beat Cobreloa 3–2, with two goals from Salas at the National Stadium.

Retirement

[edit]

Salas played his last game on 2 June 2009. Amongst the invited players were his friends from the 1993–1996 Universidad de Chile squads, River Plate, Juventus, plus members of Chile's France '98 World Cup squad. More than 60,000 people attended to pay him one final salute. Playing for both sides, he managed to score three goals.[51]

International career

[edit]

Salas represented Chile at under-20 level in 1993 alongside players such as Francisco Rojas, Claudio Lizama and Claudio Villan.[52]

On 30 April 1994 at the National Stadium, Salas made his debut for the Chile national football team at age 19, scoring his first international goal in a 3–3 draw with Argentina of Diego Maradona, who was preparing for the World Cup 1994.

In 1995 his team won the Canada Cup, where Salas scored the "goal of the victory" in the final match against Canada (2–1).

During the 1998 World Cup qualification campaign, Salas scored 11 goals. He also scored memorable goals: against Argentina of local, in Quito of visit against Ecuador and of local against Uruguay, including hat-tricks against Colombia and Peru, and a goal in the final match against Bolivia. Against Peru, he became the youngest Chilean footballer to wear the captain's belt, at just 22 years old.[53]

Salas' farewell match on 2 June 2009 at the Estadio Nacional

During the training for the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France, Chile played a friendly match with England in front of about 65,000 people at the legendary Wembley Stadium on 11 February 1998. In a memorable match, Chile won 2–0 with goals of "The Killer". The first, of great invoice, with perfect control, spin and definition, without letting the ball touch the ground after a pass of more than 60 meters. The second, a penalty that he created after brilliantly dribbling the English defender Sol Campbell.

In 1998, Marcelo Salas had an outstanding performance in the 1998 FIFA World Cup, reaching the 16th round of the tournament. He scored 4 goals: two against Italy, one against Austria and one against Brazil positioning himself as the third-best scorer of the World Cup in that year, along with Brazilian striker Ronaldo, being only 1 away from the bronze boot, and 2 from the golden boot.[53]

In 1999, Chile national football team reached the semi-finals of the Copa América, where they won fourth place.

On 15 August 2000, Salas was the great figure in Chile 3–0 victory over Brazil, scoring a great goal and being the most important player of the match, played in the 2002 World Cup qualification.

Due to his injury problems, Salas's appearances for Chile were limited after 2001. He scored four goals in nine matches during the failed 2002 World Cup qualification campaign and during the 2006 World Cup qualification. He surpassed his attacking partner Iván Zamorano as the nation's all-time leading scorer for the second time (he had previously done so in 1998) with his 35th goal against Bolivia.[53]

On 18 November 2007, during a match for the qualification for 2010 World Cup where Chile played against Uruguay, Marcelo Salas scored his last 2 final goals at the majestic Estadio Centenario, the first with a header after Carlos Villanueva center and the second, penalty.[53]

Career statistics

[edit]

Club

[edit]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Universidad de Chile 1993 Chilean Primera División 15 1 15 1
1994 25 27 15 12 6 2 46 41
1995 27 17 4 0 7 5 38 22
1996 10 5 5 2 12 5 27 12
River Plate 1996–97 Argentine Primera División 26 11 4 0 30 11
1997–98 27 13 10 7 37 20
Total 53 24 14 7 67 31
Lazio 1998–99 Serie A 30 15 6 5 6[b] 4 1[c] 0 43 24
1999–2000 28 12 3 0 10[d] 4 1[e] 1 42 17
2000–01 21 7 2 1 9[d] 0 0 0 32 8
Total 79 34 11 6 25 8 2 1 107 49
Juventus 2001–02 Serie A 7 1 2 0 2[d] 0 11 1
2002–03 11 1 4 1 4[d] 1 1[c] 0 20 3
Total 18 2 6 1 6 1 1 0 31 4
River Plate 2003–04 Argentine Primera División 17 6 4 2 21 8
2004–05 15 4 7 5 22 9
Total 32 10 11 7 43 17
Universidad de Chile 2005 Chilean Primera División 10 5 10 5
2006 28 13 28 13
2007 14 8 14 8
2008 30 11 30 11
Total 82 37 82 37
Career total 333 155 42 21 81 34 3 1 458 248[54]
  1. ^ Includes Copa Chile, Coppa Italia
  2. ^ Appearances in UEFA Cup Winners' Cup
  3. ^ a b Appearance in Supercoppa Italiana
  4. ^ a b c d Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  5. ^ Appearance in UEFA Super Cup

International

[edit]

[55][56]

Chile
Year Apps Goals
1994 3 1
1995 12 4
1996 11 6
1997 7 9
1998 10 10
1999 5 0
2000 7 2
2001 2 2
2002 0 0
2003 0 0
2004 4 0
2005 3 1
2006 0 0
2007 6 2
Total 70 37

International goals

Score and Result lists Chile's goals first
# Date Venue Opponent Score Competition
1 18 May 1994 Santiago  Argentina 3–3 International match
2 29 March 1995 Los Angeles  Mexico 2–1 International match
3 22 April 1995 Temuco  Iceland 1–1 International match
4 28 May 1995 Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton  Canada 2–1 Canada Cup
5 11 October 1995 Concepción  Canada 2–0 International match
6 14 February 1996 Coquimbo  Peru 4–0 International match
7 26 May 1996 Santiago  Bolivia 2–0 International match
8 26 May 1996 Santiago  Bolivia 2–0 International match
9 6 July 1996 Santiago  Ecuador 4–1 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification
10 25 August 1996 Liberia  Costa Rica 1–1 International match
11 12 November 1996 Santiago  Uruguay 1–0 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification
12 8 June 1997 Quito  Ecuador 1–1 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification
13 5 July 1997 Santiago  Colombia 4–1 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification
14 5 July 1997 Santiago  Colombia 4–1 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification
15 5 July 1997 Santiago  Colombia 4–1 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification
16 10 September 1997 Santiago  Argentina 1–2 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification
17 12 October 1997 Santiago  Peru 4–0 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification
18 12 October 1997 Santiago  Peru 4–0 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification
19 12 October 1997 Santiago  Peru 4–0 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification
20 16 November 1997 Santiago  Bolivia 3–0 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification
21 11 February 1998 Wembley Stadium, London  England 2–0 International match
22 11 February 1998 Wembley Stadium, London  England 2–0 International match
23 22 April 1998 Santiago  Colombia 2–2 International match
24 24 May 1998 Santiago  Uruguay 2–2 International match
25 31 May 1998 Montélimar  Tunisia 3–2 International match
26 4 June 1998 Avignon  Morocco 1–1 International match
27 11 June 1998 Parc Lescure, Bordeaux  Italy 2–2 1998 FIFA World Cup
28 11 June 1998 Parc Lescure, Bordeaux  Italy 2–2 1998 FIFA World Cup
29 17 June 1998 Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Étienne  Austria 1–1 1998 FIFA World Cup
30 27 June 1998 Parc des Princes, Paris  Brazil 1–4 1998 FIFA World Cup
31 29 June 2000 Estadio Nacional de Chile, Santiago  Paraguay 3–1 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification
32 15 August 2000 Estadio Nacional de Chile, Santiago  Brazil 3–0 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification
33 14 August 2001 Estadio Nacional de Chile, Santiago  Bolivia 2–2 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification
34 14 August 2001 Estadio Nacional de Chile, Santiago  Bolivia 2–2 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification
35 4 June 2005 Estadio Nacional de Chile, Santiago  Bolivia 3–1 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
36 18 November 2007 Estadio Centenario, Montevideo  Uruguay 2–2 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
37 18 November 2007 Estadio Centenario, Montevideo  Uruguay 2–2 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification

Personal life

[edit]

He is the nephew-in-law of the former Chile international footballer Sergio Messen since his wife, Carolina Messen, is Sergio's niece.[57]

His maternal surname, Melinao, means "four lions" in Mapudungun.[57]

Salas gave his backing to José Antonio Kast in the run-up to the 2021 Chilean presidential election.[58]

Honours

[edit]

Club

[edit]

Universidad de Chile

River Plate

Lazio

Juventus

Individual

[edit]

Tributes

[edit]

In the year 2004 the River Plate club of Argentina honored and immortalized the figure of Marcelo Salas with a portrait of the image of the "Matador" in the dressing rooms of the Monumental de Nuñez Stadium, being included among the most prominent idols in the club's history.[74] Also in the year 2009, at the inauguration of the museum of the Argentine club, the goals of Marcelo Salas are portrayed in videos and images (the goals of the titles of the Apertura 1996, Clausura 1997, Apertura 1997, Supercopa Sudamericana 1997, among others), in addition to the shirts and boots that Marcelo Salas wore while he played in River Plate.[75]

In the year 2013 Marcelo Salas received a tribute from the English Football Federation at Wembley Stadium for his "excellent performance" in the England vs Chile match from 11 February from 1998.[76] Where his first goal of that match is portrayed in the museum of said stadium, as one of the best goals in all history scored at Wembley Stadium.[77]

Players tribute

[edit]

Long is the list of public figures whose idol is the "Matador" where several of them have decided to honor Marcelo Salas by imitating his typical celebration after scoring a goal: knee to the ground, head bowed and one arm pointing to the sky. Among the players who have Salas as an idol, the following stand out:[78][79][80][81][82][83][84][85][86][87][88][89][90][91][92][93][94]


Football players

Golfer

Tennis players

Tributes from the world of music

[edit]

On 16 October 1997, Jay Kay, lead singer of the English band Jamiroquai, paid tribute to Marcelo Salas, in his presentation with the band at the Teatro Caupolicán, wearing the traditional shirt number 11 from Salas where he celebrated as the Matador on stage[95]

On 11 February 1998 the Irish band U2 performed in Chile for the first time. That day the vocalist and leader Bono went on stage at the National Stadium along with the rest of the members wearing Marcelo Salas' jersey number 11, where at the same time Salas' goals playing for Chile against England at Wembley Stadium were displayed on a giant screen.[96]

References

[edit]
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  9. ^ Rec.sport.soccer Player of the Year Award 1997
  10. ^ Rec.sport.soccer Player of the Year Award 1998
  11. ^ Rec.sport.soccer Player of the Year Award 1999
  12. ^ Gabriel Jaime García (29 May 2014). "France 1998 World Cup". Eluniversal.com.
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  31. ^ "¿Salas al Chelsea?". Nacion.com. 6 March 2001.
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  77. ^ as.com, ed. (10 October 2019). "Goal of Salas between the best scores from Wembley".
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  91. ^ chile.as.com, ed. (26 February 2020). "Salas made the River fans, let's follow Chile".
  92. ^ "For Vidal, his mirrors in the Champions are his idols Marcelo Salas and Makelele". prensafutbol.cl. 12 May 2015.
  93. ^ redgol.cl, ed. (23 May 2021). "Carla Guerrero and her tribute to Marcelo Salas: she celebrated like Matador after a great goal for the U against the Catholic".
  94. ^ newswep.com, ed. (23 May 2021). "Carla Guerrera and her tribute to Marcelo Salas: Matador celebration after a great goal for the U against the Catholic".
  95. ^ chile.as.com, ed. (2 July 2019). "The day Jamiroquai honored Matador Salas".
  96. ^ goal.com, ed. (11 February 2016). "The day in that U2 got the Red thanks to the "Matador"".
[edit]