Pavel Pardo

Pavel Pardo Segura is a retired professional footballer from Mexico who played as a midfielder. Known for his defensive capabilities, Pardo began his playing career in 1993, making his debut for FC Atlas AC. In 5 seasons, Pardo grew from a relatively unknown player to one of the most important midfielders for the team. He ended his FC Atlas AC career with over 155 games and scoring 7 goals in the process.

Pardo made his international debut in 1996 and went on to become one of the top players for the national team.

In 1998, he moved to Tecos UAG where he was, again, a key element in the team during the single season he spent there. In 1999, Pardo moved to Club America for the first of his two stints at the Mexican giants. He led the team to the Mexican Torneo de Verana triumph in 2002 and then the 2005 Clausura tournament win as well. The CONCACAF Champions Cup was to follow in 2006 before Pardo headed off to Germany to play for VFB Stuttgart.

After a stellar world cup showing, it was natural that Europe would come calling and despite River Plate, in Argentina, and Recreativo Huelva, in Spain, being rumored to be after Pardo, he decided to play for the German team.

Pardo was a first team regular with the Germans, helping them win the Bundesliga title in 2007. Pardo played 33 games that season and was one of the strongmen who held the defensive capabilities of the team together. He was named as the 5th best player in the Bundesliga that season. After 244 games for Club America, between 1999 & 2006, and 22 goals, Pardo followed up his German career with 71 games and 4 goals for VFB Stuttgart before deciding to head back to Mexico.

In 2009, Pardo came back to Club America and regained the captaincy of the club where he saw some major honours including the Campeon de Campeones, or Champion of Champions, in 2005. He also spent time at Chicago Fire from 2011 and 2012.

At the International level, since his debut in 1996, Pardo has played almost 150 games for the Mexico national team, scoring 11 goals. One of the top players in the team, Pardo has been a pillar of strength along with fellow defensive midfielder, & now defender, Rafael Marquez. Pardo helped his country win the 1998 and 2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup titles as well as the 1999 Confederations Cup.

He represented Mexico at the 1998 FIFA World Cup as well as the 2006 edition.