Teofilo Cubillas

Although very few people know him, Teofilo Cubillas is still one of the best South American players in the history of football.

598

Games

333

Goals

219

Assists

Trophies

1966/72 Alianza Lima (PER) 175 matches, 116 goals

1973 FC Basel (SUI) 14 matches, 7 goals

(Swiss Championship: 10 matches, 3 goals)

(Swiss Cup: 2 matches, 2 goals)

(European Champion Clubs' Cup: 2 matches, 2 goals)

1974/76 FC Porto (POR) 108 matches, 65 goals

(Portugal Championship: 85 matches, 48 goals)

(Portuguese Cup: 13 matches, 10 goals)

(UEFA Cup: 10 matches, 7 goals)

1977/78 Alianza Lima (PER) 57 matches, 42 goals

(Peruvian Championship: 47 matches, 35 goals)

(Copa Libertadores: 10 matches, 7 goals)

1979/83 Fort Lauderdale Strikers (USA) 120 matches, 59 goals

1984 Alianza Lima (PER) 4 matches, 4 goals

1985/86 South Florida Sun (USA) 6 matches, 3 goals

1987 Alianza Lima (PER) 13 matches, 3 goals

1988 Fort Lauderdale Strikers (USA) 12 matches, 7 goals

1989 Miami Sharks (USA) 8 matches, 1 goal

With National Team :

81 caps, 26 goals

(Friendly matches: 51 caps, 11 goals)

(World Cup Qualification: 11 caps, 3 goals)

(World Cup: 13 caps, 10 goals)

(Copa America: 6 caps, 2 goals)

1st cap : July 17, 1968 against Brazil (0-4)

Last cap : June 22, 1982 against Poland (1-5)

Teofilo Juan Cubillas Arizaga

Born March 8, 1949 in Lima (PER)

Peruvian, attacking midfielder, 1m73, number 10

Nickname: El Nene

A young man already a superstar

Teofilo Cubillas born in Puente Piedra, that is to say in the northern districts of Lima. The young boy makes his debut in the Huracán Boys jersey. During a friendly match against the team of his heart, Alianza Lima, he seized the perfect opportunity and joined the big club in the capital at the age of 17. His first season is already a good one. In 1966, he finished top scorer in the championship with 19 goals scored. Very quickly nicknamed "El Nene" ("the little one") for obvious reasons, he is a very fast player, whether in pure speed or for making magnificent gestures thanks to his extraordinary touch of the ball. There was no surprise when, at 19, Cubillas joined the national team. He quickly became the star of Peruvian football. The year 1970 rhymed for him with a new title of top scorer in the championship with 22 goals. But he truly revealed himself to the world when he competed in the World Cup in Mexico in 1970.

The greatest young player in the world

It is Pelé who will make the young Peruvian the greatest hope in world football. After his third victory at the 1970 World Cup, the worried press asked if we would see him again on the pitch at the next edition of the supreme event of world football: "No, but don't worry, you will see my successor. Teófilo Cubillas ." His touch on the ball seduced the Brazilian legend. And although his career did not live up to what Pelé's words predicted, he still became one of the most prolific number 10s in history with more than 300 goals scored and 200 assists. decisive decisions delivered. With Peru, he scored 10 goals in 3 World Cups, an achievement.

The 1970 World Cup remains one of its greatest demonstrations. During the first round against Bulgaria (3-2 victory), he scored a goal. After playing three defenders, he concluded his action with a shot into the top corner. All observers around the world are amazed by his technique, his percussion and his complicity in attack with Hugo Sotil. Cubillas is only 21 years old, yet he is one of the best players in the world. Mature, he is the perfect player at the heart of the game, and an elegant playmaker. In the quarter-finals, he and Peru came close to beating Brazil. The Peruvian playmaker finished third as the tournament's top scorer behind the German Gerd Müller and the Brazilian Jairzinho, which earned him the title of best young player of the tournament.

The best player in Peruvian history

The year 1972 was for him the year of consecration, he was elected best South American player of the year ahead of Pelé himself. That year, he was also crowned top scorer in the Copa Libertadores with 6 goals planted. Unfortunately, Peru did not participate in the 1974 World Cup. This disillusion slowed down its momentum a little. But the rise resumed its course the following year with participation in the Copa America in 1975.

Cubillas is sparkling, twirling, he finishes best player of the tournament despite a missed penalty in the final against Colombia. Peru and he won this 30th edition. The press is panicking and waiting for only one thing, to see him play for Johan Cruyff's FC Barcelona, as luck would have it, it's his compatriot Hugo Sotil who is recruited in Spain. However, Cubillas joined Europe at FC Basel, then FC Porto. Individually, the results are positive but Porto cannot win the championship. He therefore returned to Peru in 1977, to Alianza Lima and won 2 championships in a row. The 1978 World Cup was another success for the playmaker who scored 5 goals, but Peru was humiliated 6-0 by Argentina, another disappointment for him. During the 1982 edition, he began to age, and did not score. Eliminated in the first round, it's a failure. In total, he played 81 matches for 26 goals with his nation.

The end of career

He then left for the United States where he played alongside George Best and Elias Figueroa before ending his career at the age of 36 in his long-time club, in Peru. During its jubilee, many football stars are present. But his retirement was interrupted by a tragedy... A plane crash during which 16 players from the Alianza Lima team died. Cubillas decides to help the club and become a footballer again. In 1989, the adventure ended. Although he has not become a second Pelé, Cubillas remains the only Peruvian in the FIFA 100 list compiled by O Rei.