Agustín Delgado

Agustín Javier Delgado Chalá (born 23 December 1974 in Ambuquí, Imbabura) is a retired Ecuadorian footballer who played as a forward. Nicknamed Tín, Delgado is the all-time top scorer for the Ecuadorian national team with 31 goals in 71 games. He played professional club football in Ecuador, Mexico and England.

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Delgado and the second or maternal family name is Chalá.
Agustín Delgado
Personal information
Full name Agustín Javier Delgado Chalá
Date of birth (1974-12-23) 23 December 1974
Place of birth Ambuquí, Imbabura, Ecuador
Height 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Position(s) Forward
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1991–1992 ESPOLI 12 (6)
1993–1994 Barcelona SC 30 (25)
1995–1996 El Nacional 30 (30)
1997 Independiente Medellín 0 (0)
1997–1998 Barcelona SC 34 (15)
1998 Cruz Azul 8 (2)
1999–2001 Necaxa 83 (38)
2001–2004 Southampton 11 (1)
2004 Aucas 13 (7)
2004 UNAM 11 (1)
2005 Barcelona SC 38 (10)
2006–2008 L.D.U. Quito 69 (24)
2009 Emelec 8 (0)
2010 Valle del Chota 7 (0)
Total 324 (159)
National team
1994–2006 Ecuador 71 (31)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only
Agustín Delgado
Member of the National Assembly for Imbabura Province
Assumed office
14 May 2013
Personal details
Political partyPAIS Alliance

Club career

Early career

Delgado started his career in his native Ecuador with ESPOLI in 1991 before joining Barcelona SC in 1994, where he played for one year, winning the Ecuadorian Serie A in 1995. He then joined El Nacional and again won the Ecuadorian league title, before returning to Barcelona and securing a third consecutive league winner's medal.

In 1998, Delgado moved to Mexico where he had a brief spell at Cruz Azul. He joined CONCACAF champions Necaxa in 1999 and represented the club at the 2000 FIFA Club World Championship, scoring against South Melbourne in the group stage, and in the third-place play-off against Real Madrid he scored in normal time as well as the winning penalty in the shootout.[1][2]

In late 2001, after scoring nine times as Ecuador qualified for its first World Cup, Necaxa accepted a £3.5m bid from English Premier League club Southampton.[3]

Southampton

Delgado moved to Southampton in 2001. Unfortunately, he was dogged by injuries which restricted him to only a few games during his time with the Saints. Southampton tried to get him back to fitness after the injury he picked in Necaxa prior to the 2002 World Cup Qualifiers, but to no avail.

It might have been a different story had the striker refused to play while injured during the 2002 World Cup. The pressure on him to play was enormous, as Ecuadorians believed that, with 9 goals during the 2002 World cup qualifying campaign, he was indispensable; and naturally, Delgado dreamed of playing in a FIFA World Cup. All that led to his decision to play despite injury while heavily medicated on painkillers. Upon return to England, it was found that his injury had become chronic, effectively destroying his future in Europe.[4] He also alienated manager Gordon Strachan by refusing to learn English, and Strachan felt the player had been forced on the club and was very high maintenance. When pressed for his plans for the Ecuadorian, Strachan replied "I've got more important things to think about. I've got a yoghurt to finish by today, the expiry date is today. That can be my priority rather than Agustin Delgado."[5]

However, Delgado scored the winning goal for Southampton in a 3–2 home victory over the then Premiership champions Arsenal.[6] He also scored a goal against Liverpool in the League Cup.[7]

Later career

After the unhappy spell at Southampton, he was released and returned to Ecuador to play for a Quito based club Aucas, which was topping the Ecuador Serie A with the likes of René Higuita and Gustavo Figueroa leading the way. He played an impressive half season and his return to form led to his joining Mexican club UNAM, where he helped the team win the league championship.

Delgado was then transferred to Barcelona SC from UNAM on 1 January 2005 for an undisclosed fee. While at Barcelona SC, he teamed up with his preferred Ecuador strike partner Iván Kaviedes. With these two formidable strikers leading the attack, the Guayaquil based club were expected to not only win championships, but to dominate the league. This did not happen. Delgado started strongly, but ended the season with only 7 goals. He was subsequently accused by the club president, Isidro Romero Carbo, of not taking the club seriously despite earning top wages. Following reports that Tin was partying late at wild clubs with teammates Edwin Villafuerte and Walter Ayovi, prompting their exits from the prestigious club.

Delgado then joined L.D.U. Quito, a team regularly featuring in the Copa Sudamericana and Copa Libertadores. With his new club, Tin again returned to scoring form and with his goal exploits, he helped Liga surprisingly reach the quarterfinals of the 2006 Copa Libertadores. Delgado was one of eleven players banned for between 2 and 12 months for taking part in a vicious brawl at the end of LDU's 1–1 draw at home to Barcelona on 17 December 2006. Four Barcelona players were injured in the incident on the last day of the season which shocked the country and overshadowed the title won by El Nacional. The Ecuadorian Football Federation (FEF) said on its web site that the incident started with a clash between Delgado and his marker, Víctor Montoya. Montoya later denied that he had deliberately kicked Delgado's injured knee and received no sanction from the FEF. Delgado later said in the National Congress of Ecuador that he had been persecuted by the FEF.[8]

Delgado was then involved in a scandal at a night club on New Year's Eve and left the country to try to continue his career in Major League Soccer. However, FIFA later blocked this by extending the playing ban internationally. The suspension was subsequently changed at an Extraordinary Congress of the FEF,[9] and Delgado was allowed to resume his playing career after 6 months' suspension.

In 2008, he was part of the squad that won the Copa Libertadores, although he did not play in the final decisive game.

In March 2009, the forward signed for Emelec until December 2009. During the 2010 season, he was a player/administrator at Valle de Chota in his native town. He helped guide the club to promotion from the Segunda Categoria to the Serie B for the 2011 season. In February 2011, he announced his retirement from professional football to focus on administering the club.[10]

International career

Delgado's first goal at the 2002 FIFA World Cup was also the first goal for the Ecuadorian team in a World Cup, against Mexico. Delgado was joint top scorer (with Hernán Crespo) in the CONMEBOL qualifiers for the tournament with 9 goals.

Delgado was known for being a strong player and an excellent finisher with either foot, but especially for his aerial prowess towering over opposing defences. He had a superb sense of positioning in the box and excellent field awareness. All this has given Tin an iconic status in Ecuador, and he obtained a reputation as one of the most feared South American strikers.

He helped Ecuador qualify once again for the World Cup, contributing 5 goals in 10 games but stated that Germany 06 would be his last. In the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Delgado scored in the 80th minute in Ecuador's shock 2–0 win in their opening match against Poland. In the following game, he scored in the 55th-minute goal in their 3–0 victory over Costa Rica, enabling Ecuador to qualify alongside hosts Germany for the last 16.

After the 2006 World Cup, Delgado announced his retirement from international football. He finished his international career with 71 caps and a record 31 goals for the national team.

Career statistics

Club
As of 3 April 2015
Club Season League Cup League Cup Continental Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
ESPOLI 1991 Serie B??–––??
1992 Serie B??–––??
Total ??———??
Barcelona SC 1993 Serie A?13––00?13
1994 Serie A?12––42414
Total ?25——42427
El Nacional 1995 Serie A?11––60611
1996 Serie A3019––003019
Total 3030——603630
Independiente Medellín 1997 Categoría Primera A??––????
Total ??——????
Barcelona SC 1997 Serie A2512––002512
1998 Serie A93––85178
Total 3415——854220
Cruz Azul Invierno 1998 Liga MX8200–0082
Total 8200—0082
Necaxa Verano 1999 Liga MX13400–00134
1999-00 Liga MX292500–423327
2000-01 Liga MX32700–243211
2001-02 Liga MX9200–0092
Total 833800—779045
Southampton 2001–02 Premier League1010000020
2002–03 Premier League6100110072
2003–04 Premier League4000200060
Total 111103100152
Aucas 2004 Serie A137––10147
Total 137——10147
UNAM Apertura 2004 Liga MX11100–00111
Total 11100—00111
Barcelona SC 2005 Serie A3810––003810
Total 3810——003810
L.D.U. Quito 2006 Serie A3112––1164218
2007 Serie A206––00206
2008 Serie A186––121307
Total 6924——2379231
Emelec 2009 Serie A80––1090
Total 80——1090
Valle del Chota 2010 Segunda Categoría70–––70
Total 70———70
Career total 31215310315021366175

International
Ecuador national team
YearAppsGoals
199410
199520
199632
199793
199800
199982
2000106
2001117
200252
200300
2004104
200583
200642
Total7131

International goals
GoalDateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
14 October 1996Estadio Bellavista, Ambato Jamaica1–02–1Friendly
24 October 1996Estadio Bellavista, Ambato Jamaica2–12–1Friendly
35 February 1997Estadio Azteca, Mexico City Mexico3–13–1Friendly
417 February 1997Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa, Quito Uruguay2–04–01998 FIFA World Cup qualifier
517 February 1997Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa, Quito Uruguay3–04–01998 FIFA World Cup qualifier
64 June 1999Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton Guatemala2–13–11999 Canada Cup
715 June 1999Estadio Polideportivo de Pueblo Nuevo, San Cristóbal Venezuela0–23–2Friendly
829 March 2000Estadio de Liga Deportiva Universitaria, Quito Venezuela1–02–02002 FIFA World Cup qualifier
925 June 2000Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa, Quito Panama1–05–0Friendly
1025 June 2000Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa, Quito Panama3–05–0Friendly
1116 August 2000Estadio de Liga Deportiva Universitaria, Quito Bolivia1–02–02002 FIFA World Cup qualifier
1216 August 2000Estadio de Liga Deportiva Universitaria, Quito Bolivia2–02–02002 FIFA World Cup qualifier
138 October 2000Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa, Quito Chile1–01–02002 FIFA World Cup qualifier
1428 March 2001Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa, Quito Brazil1–01–02002 FIFA World Cup qualifier
1524 April 2001Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa, Quito Paraguay1–12–12002 FIFA World Cup qualifier
1624 April 2001Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa, Quito Paraguay2–12–12002 FIFA World Cup qualifier
172 June 2001Estadio Monumental, Lima Peru1–21–22002 FIFA World Cup qualifier
1817 July 2001Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez, Barranquilla Venezuela1–04–02001 Copa América
1917 July 2001Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez, Barranquilla Venezuela4–04–02001 Copa América
206 October 2001Estadio Hernando Siles, La Paz Bolivia0–21–52002 FIFA World Cup qualifier
218 May 2002Giants Stadium, East Rutherford Yugoslavia1–01–0Friendly
228 June 2002Miyagi Stadium, Miyagi Mexico0–12–12002 FIFA World Cup
232 June 2004Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa, Quito Colombia1–02–12006 FIFA World Cup qualifier
245 June 2004Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa, Quito Bolivia2–13–22006 FIFA World Cup qualifier
257 July 2004Estadio Elías Aguirre, Chiclayo Argentina1–16–12004 Copa América
2613 July 2004Estadio Miguel Grau, Piura Mexico1–21–22004 Copa América
274 June 2005Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa, Quito Argentina2–02–02006 FIFA World Cup qualifier
283 September 2005Estadio Hernando Siles, La Paz Bolivia0–11–22006 FIFA World Cup qualifier
293 September 2005Estadio Hernando Siles, La Paz Bolivia1–21–22006 FIFA World Cup qualifier
309 June 2006FIFA WM Stadion Gelsenkirchen, Gelsenkirchen Poland0–20–22006 FIFA World Cup
3115 June 2006FIFA WM Stadion Hamburg, Hamburg Costa Rica2–03–02006 FIFA World Cup

Honours

Club

Barcelona SC

El Nacional

UNAM

L.D.U. Quito

International

Ecuador

Political career

In the Ecuadorian general election of 2013 Delgado was chosen as member of the National Assembly for Imbabura Province. Delgado serves as member of PAIS Alliance. Ulises de la Cruz and Iván Hurtado, former teammates of Delgado at the national team also serve for the Pais Alliance in the National Assembly.[11] Delgado, who has African ancestry, stutters and has been the object of ridicule on social media and by the cartoonist Xavier Bonilla in the newspaper El Universo. The cartoonist and the newspaper were sanctioned by La SUPERCOM, La Superintendencia de la Información y Comunicación, an Ecuadorean agency that regulates communications. According to Freedom House, a Washington, DC based NGO, the sanction was evidence of censorship by the Correa government.[12]

References
  1. "Necaxa stay on track". BBC. 9 January 2000. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
  2. "Mexican penalty kings depose Real". BBC News. 14 January 2000. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
  3. "Agustin Delgado". BBC. 10 April 2002. Retrieved 3 October 2013.
  4. "Saints end Delgado contract". BBC Sport. 17 June 2004. Retrieved 17 May 2007.
  5. Bandini, Paolo (25 June 2006). "Maybe those world rankings do make sense". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 June 2009.
  6. "Saints shock Arsenal". BBC Sport. 23 November 2002. Retrieved 25 August 2009.
  7. "Kirkland thwarts Saints". BBC. 6 November 2002. Retrieved 11 March 2010.
  8. "AGUSTÍN DELGADO DENUNCIÓ PERSECUCIÓN POR PARTE DE LA FEDERACIÓN ECUATORIANA DE FÚTBOL (Spanish)". Congreso Nacional de la República del Ecuador. 17 July 2007. Retrieved 17 November 2007.
  9. "Levantan suspensión de un año a Agustín Delgado (Spanish)". ESPN Deportes. 2 May 2007. Archived from the original on 4 June 2011. Retrieved 17 November 2007.
  10. "El Adiós del Tin Delgado" [The farewell of Tin Delgado] (in Spanish). futbolecuador.com. 16 February 2011. Retrieved 16 February 2011.
  11. Mariela Rosero (19 February 2013). "Alianza País podría controlar 2/3 de la Asamblea". El Comercio. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
  12. Mercedes Alvaro (13 February 2015). "Ecuador Orders Newspaper and Cartoonist to Publish Apology". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
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