 Sánchez withSantos Laguna in 2012 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Oswaldo Javier Sánchez Ibarra[1] | ||
| Date of birth | (1973-09-21)21 September 1973 (age 52)[1] | ||
| Place of birth | Guadalajara,Jalisco, Mexico | ||
| Height | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) | ||
| Position | Goalkeeper | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1993–1996 | Atlas | 81 | (0) |
| 1996–1999 | América | 76 | (0) |
| 1999–2006 | Guadalajara | 271 | (0) |
| 2007–2014 | Santos Laguna | 296 | (0) |
| Total | 725 | (0) | |
| International career | |||
| 1993 | Mexico U20 | 4 | (0) |
| 1996–2011[2] | Mexico | 99 | (0) |
Medal record | |||
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Oswaldo Javier Sánchez Ibarra (Spanish:[osˈβaldoˈsantʃes]ⓘ; born 21 September 1973) is a Mexican former professionalfootballer who played as agoalkeeper and a sports analyst forTUDN.[3] He is highly regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in Mexican footballing history.[4]
At the2005 FIFA Confederations Cup, despite finishing in fourth place, Sánchez won the Golden Glove.
Oswaldo Sánchez debuted as a substitute when the starting keeper was injured withAtlas at the age of 20 on October 30, 1993, againstVeracruz where the teams tied the game at 1–1. Two years after his debut, he was a starter on the team and ledAtlas to the Quarterfinals where they were eliminated by C.D. Veracruz. In the summer of 1996, Sánchez was transferred toClub América. The following season, Sánchez was benched and replaced as goalkeeper by Hugo Pineda. Sánchez played three out of 19 games, including the quarterfinals where América was eliminated byMonarcas Morelia. The following season, Sánchez went back into the starting line-up and led América. In the summer of 1999, Sánchez left América for rival Chivas de Guadalajara.
At Guadalajara, Sánchez became the team'scaptain. Sánchez became a key player to Chivas along with other players. This was during the time when Guadalajara were at their best. Sánchez's extraordinary goalkeeping skills and leadership helped Guadalajara reach the finals of the Clausura 2004 season, but Chivas ultimately lost to UNAM via penalty-shootout. Eventually, Sánchez captured his long-awaited league title with Guadalajara during the Apertura 2006 season. After his 2006 championship with Chivas, Sanchez left the club after not being able to reach an agreement on his contract. He decided that the club directors did not want him there anymore and chose to play with Santos Laguna overTigres UANL. Sánchez scored a goal in the 2000Copa Merconorte match againstClub Deportivo El Nacional of Ecuador, a header from a set piece in injury time to make the final score 3-3.[5]
In 2007, he signed a contract onto Santos Laguna and he has played against his ex-team and ex-team members Chivas de Guadalajara in a 3–2 loss. In the first season with Santos, Sanchez along with his teammates saved the team from relegation. He led them to the Quarterfinals of the Clausura 2007 tournament after coming back from an injury earlier that season. He also led his team to 2nd place in both the Apertura and the Clausura in 2010. Sánchez led the team to win the Clausura 2008 championship and Clausura 2012.
After 21 years, Sánchez retired after the Apertura 2014 season winning theCopa MX in his final season.
Sánchez was called up byJuan de Dios Castillo to participate at the 1993FIFA World Youth Championship. He made his debut for the senior national team in 1996, against Bolivia. He has been part of threeFIFA World Cups, inFrance 1998, 2002 and 2006. CoachRicardo La Volpe called up Sánchez once again on April 2, 2006, to be the starting goalkeeper for Mexico in the2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany. During preparation for the 2006 World Cup, Sánchez' father died of aheart attack on June 7, age 56. Sánchez flew home to Guadalajara, but he returned to Germany in time for the team's first game against Iran, which they won by a score of 3–1.[6]
In 2007, he was called up by coachHugo Sánchez to play in theGold Cup and2007 Copa América. Sánchez was selected to represent Mexico infriendlies againstGhana national team andChina national team, his first callup since the 2007 Copa América. Sanchez is known in some circles for his blatant cheap shot on the USMNT's Eddie Johnson after giving up the goal that sealed Mexico's loss. Like a child throwing a tantrum, Sanchez slid into Johnson's ankle after Landon Donovan dribbled around Sanchez and scored in extra time to seal a 2-0 win for the USMNT.
Sánchez was not called up to theWorld Cup 2010 and did not play a single match for the Mexico national team in 2010. He played his 99th and last international match for Mexico on October 11, 2011, in a 2–1 loss toBrazil. He was substituted byAlfredo Talavera in the 88th minute, marking his official national football retirement.
Sánchez appeared on the front cover of the North American edition of theFIFA Football 2005 video game alongsideFernando Morientes andAndriy Shevchenko.[7]
In 2016, Santos Laguna erected a statue of Sánchez.[8]
Guadalajara
Santos Laguna
Mexico
Individual
Records
| Sporting positions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Guadalajara Captain 1999–2006 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Santos Laguna Captain 2007–2014 | Succeeded by |
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