Claudio Maldonado

A professional football player from Chile, Claudio Maldonado is one of the most popular players to come out of his country. Maldonado is a veteran of club and international football and began his playing career at the youth academy of Chilean giants Colo-Colo. After spending 1997 and 1998 in the limelight, at the youth academy, the midfielder made the inevitable breakthrough into the first team.

After making his debut with the Colo-Colo first team in 1998, Maldonado was quickly named as a regular first team player, notching up around 30 appearances in a season, scoring twice as well, on the way to winning the 1998 Chilean First Division title. He moved to Brazil and signed up with Sao Paulo but struggled to find a regular place in the side. Between 2000 and 2002, Maldonado only had 36 appearances for the side but was part of the team that won the 2000 and 2002 Sao Paulo State League titles.

In 2003, Maldonado moved to Cruzeiro and thus began the part of his career that changed everything. Maldonado had been a part of the Chilean national under-17 side, in 1997, and the Under-23 side, in 2000. However after moving to Cruzeiro and becoming a regular player for the side, Maldonado made himself extremely popular in the national team as well.

He was playing regularly for Cruzeiro and in three seasons, Maldonado had over 130 appearances in all competition as well as four goals to his name. He helped the team win the 2003 Copa do Brasil title as well as the 2003 and 2004 Minas Gaerais League titles and the 2003 Brazilian Serie A title. Maldonado had become extremely popular in Brazil and was bought by Santos, who wanted the Chilean to lead them to success as well.

Maldonado helped the team win the 2006 and 2007 Sao Paulo State League titles although his playing time at Santos, over two seasons, was limited to just 34 league games. He was, however, part of every state league game and made the most of his 84 appearances in all competition.

In 2008-09, Fenerbahce came looking for Maldonado’s signature and the, now, Chilean national team captain went to Turkey for his first experience of European football. However, injuries were a constant problem for Maldonado in that period and he couldn’t even make 20 appearances for his side. Maldonado had no choice but to return to South America and he decided to play on in Brazil, signing up with Flamengo.

Still struggling with injuries, Maldonado has made over 75 appearances for Flamengo in all competition and has helped the club win the 2009 Serie A title, the 2011 Taca Guanabara, the 2011 Taca Rio and the 2011 Rio de Janeiro State League title.

At the international level, Maldonado has been a regular part of the senior team ever since he helped Chile win the 2000 Summer Olympic Games’ bronze medal. He has won 44 international caps for his team and scored one goal as well.