- Mauricio Pinilla
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Mauricio Pinilla Personal information Full name Mauricio Ricardo Pinilla
FerreraDate of birth February 4, 1984 Place of birth Santiago, Chile Height 1.87 m (6 ft 1 1⁄2 in) Playing position Centre forward Club information Current club Palermo Number 51 Senior career* Years Team Apps† (Gls)† 2002–2003 Universidad Chile 39 (20) 2003–2004 Inter 0 (0) 2003–2004 → Chievo (loan) 6 (0) 2004 → Celta (loan) 6 (0) 2004–2007 Sporting CP 20 (5) 2006 → Racing Santander (loan) 13 (1) 2006–2007 → Hearts (loan) 3 (2) 2007 → Universidad Chile (loan) 4 (2) 2007–2008 Hearts 2 (0) 2008 Vasco Gama 3 (0) 2009 Apollon Limassol 5 (2) 2009–2010 Grosseto 24 (24) 2010– Palermo 29 (10) National team‡ 2003– Chile 22 (5) * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 11 September 2011.
† Appearances (Goals).
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 1 September 2011This name uses Spanish naming customs; the first or paternal family name is Pinilla and the second or maternal family name is Ferrera.Mauricio Ricardo Pinilla Ferrera (born 4 February 1984) is a Chilean footballer who plays for U.S. Città di Palermo in Italy, as a centre forward.
After beginning his career at Universidad de Chile, he signed for Inter Milan at the age of 19, but never appeared for the club in four years. He went on to play in five countries, without really settling anywhere.
Contents
Club career
Early career
Born in Santiago, Pinilla started his career with Universidad de Chile, leaving for European football and Italian giants F.C. Internazionale Milano in 2003, signing a five-year contract.[1]
However, he was immediately sold to fellow Serie A side A.C. ChievoVerona (which acquired 50% of the player's rights[2]), and finished 2003–04 loaned again, to La Liga outfit Real Club Celta de Vigo,[3] not managing to score in 11 league appearances combined.
Professional journeyman
In July 2004, Sporting Clube de Portugal bought 50% of his playing rights[4] and Pinilla, having spent much of the season on a low note, finished with five goals in 2004–05, notably a hat-trick in a 3–0 win at Sporting Clube de Braga, on 1 May 2005.[5]
However, Pinilla was also unable to settle at Sporting and, on January 2006, would move on loan, finishing 2005–06 at Racing de Santander. On 26 February 2006, he netted his only goal (a penalty kick) for the Cantabria side, in a 2–2 away draw against Deportivo Alavés.
In 2006–07, Pinilla was once again loaned, now to Scottish side Heart of Midlothian.[6] His time with the Edinburgh club was beset by injuries, resulting in him only playing a handful of times for the first team. In February 2007, he returned to Universidad de Chile.[7]
Pinilla returned to Hearts for pre-season training ahead of the 2007–08 season, with Hearts buying out Sporting's half of his rights.[8] However, his return to playing football with Hearts had a major setback when it was revealed the player had a fractured scaphoid wrist bone, a hidden injury sustained while still in Chile.[9] This put him out of action for a six further weeks. He recovered from this in Spain, returning to training with Hearts on September 12.
On 9 January 2008, it was reported that Pinilla had sustained another injury in training that sidelined him for the rest of the season.[10] On 6 May, his agent stated that he had signed a deal which would keep him at Hearts until 2011,[11] after his contract with Inter expired the following month. However, on 1 July, Hearts announced that they had released the forward from his contract.[12][13]
In early September 2008, Pinilla joined Brazil's CR Vasco da Gama, signed a contract until the end of the season.[14] He played his first match with new club in a 0–1 away loss against Clube de Regatas do Flamengo, in a derby.
After Vasco was relegated to the second division, Pinilla left the club and moved to Cyprus' Apollon Limassol as a free agent.
Back to Italy and Serie A
In August 2009, Pinilla returned to Italy, joining Serie B outfit U.S. Grosseto F.C. on a free transfer. At the Tuscan club, his once promising career got back on track, as he scored 24 goals in 24 games (including a series of 12 consecutive matches netting, a competition record) and finished the season as the second best scorer, despite missing more than a third of the campaign through different injuries; his performances subsequently ensured him interest from several Italian top division clubs.
In June 2010, U.S. Città di Palermo announced the signing of Pinilla.[15] He scored five league goals in his first 12 games, being an important offensive unit in a team that also comprised forwards Abel Hernández, Massimo Maccarone and Fabrizio Miccoli.
On 11 September 2011, in the season's opener, Pinilla was brought from the bench to score the 4–2 for Palermo against former club Inter, in an eventual 4–3 home win.[16]
International career
An established Chilean international since 2003, Pinilla led his country's scoring during the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification qualifiers, with three goals. However, on 27 February 2007, whilst on loan to Universidad, he was caught in a hotel with María José López, the model wife of national team captain Luis Antonio Jiménez.[17] The two players later encountered each other in a Santiago nightclub, which led to Pinilla's admission to hospital with head trauma and neck injuries.[18]
Subsequently, Pinilla announced his decision to retire from the international scene, not even reconsidering after the nation's President's intervention.[19]
In August 2010, Pinilla returned to the national team, being recalled by manager Marcelo Bielsa for a friendly with the Ukraine.[20] He was also picked for a game against Uruguay later in November, only to be called off due to injury.[21]
International goals
Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 30 March 2003 Estadio Nacional de Chile, Santiago, Chile 
Peru2–0 2–0 Friendly 9 September 2003 Estadio Nacional de Chile, Santiago, Chile Peru1–0 2–1 2006 World Cup qualification 1 June 2004 Estadio Polideportivo de Pueblo Nuevo, San Cristóbal, Venezuela 
Venezuela1–0 1–0 2006 World Cup qualification 9 February 2005 Estadio Sausalito, Viña del Mar, Chile Peru3–2 3–2 Friendly 30 March 2005 Estadio Defensores del Chaco, Asunción, Paraguay 
Paraguay1–2 1–2 2006 World Cup qualification References
- ^ "Decision on Chilean youngster Pinilla expected next week". Inter Milan. 5 July 2003. http://www.inter.it/aas/news/reader?L=en&N=9432. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
- ^ "La Lazio gela tutti su Stam: costa 20 milioni [Lazio bets all on Stam: 20 million]" (in Italian). Corriere della Sera. 6 July 2003. http://www.corriere.it/Primo_Piano/Sport/2003/07_Luglio/06/calciomercato.shtml. Retrieved 4 June 2010.
- ^ "Pinilla boosts Celta options". UEFA.com. http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=138285.html. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
- ^ "Sporting swoop for Pinilla". UEFA.com. 23 July 2004. http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/newsid=209525.html. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
- ^ Pinilla keeps pressure on Benfica; UEFA.com, 2 May 2005
- ^ "Hearts complete Pinilla signing". BBC Sport. 28 July 2006-07-28. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/h/heart_of_midlothian/5224700.stm. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
- ^ "Pinilla not coming back to Hearts". BBC Sport. 27 February 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/h/heart_of_midlothian/6401927.stm. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
- ^ "Pinilla back at Hearts after loan". BBC Sport. 27 June 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/h/heart_of_midlothian/6239692.stm. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
- ^ "Palazuelos pays for Hearts move". BBC Sport. 12 July 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/h/heart_of_midlothian/6286230.stm. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
- ^ "Pinilla injury setback for Hearts". BBC Sport. 9 January 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/h/heart_of_midlothian/7178901.stm. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
- ^ "Agent announces new Pinilla deal". BBC Sport. 6 May 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/h/heart_of_midlothian/7386323.stm. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
- ^ "Hearts release frontman Pinilla". BBC Sport. 1 July 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/heart_of_midlothian/7483064.stm. Retrieved 2 July 2008.
- ^ "Pinilla leaves Hearts". Heart of Midlothian official site. 1 July 2008. http://www.heartsfc.co.uk/articles/20080701/pinilla-leaves-hearts_2241384_1336486#continue. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
- ^ "Vasco acerta com os atacantes Pinilla e Marcelo Brás [Vasco signs strikers Pinilla and Marcelo Brás]" (in Portuguese). UOL Esporte. 14 September 2008. http://esporte.uol.com.br/futebol/ultimas/2008/09/14/ult59u170807.jhtm. Retrieved 14 September 2008.
- ^ "Pinilla al Palermo, Giovio al Grosseto [Pinilla to Palermo, Giovio to Grosseto]" (in Italian). US Città di Palermo. 11 June 2010. http://www.ilpalermocalcio.it/it/0910/news_scheda.jsp?id=20921. Retrieved 11 June 2010.
- ^ "Inter lose seven-goal thriller". ESPN Soccernet. 11 September 2011. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/327188?cc=5739. Retrieved 16 September 2011.
- ^ "Jambo striker sparks storm over 'fling' with skipper's model wife". The Free Library. 17 June 2007. http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Heartbreaker%3b+EXCLUSIVE+Jambo+striker+sparks+storm+over+'fling'+with...-a0165205568. Retrieved 14 January 2011.
- ^ Pisa, Nick (16 September 2009). "Blonde presenter axed from Berlusconi's TV channel for performing raunchy routine on football chat show". Daily Mail. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1213666/Blonde-presenter-axed-Berlusconis-TV-channel-performing-raunchy-routine-football-chat-show.html.
- ^ "Sunday's gossip column". BBC Sport. 4 November 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/gossip_and_transfers/7077473.stm. Retrieved 18 January 2010.
- ^ "Bielsa convoca por primera vez a Mauricio Pinilla a la selección chilena [Bielsa calls Mauricio Pinilla to Chilean national team for the first time]" (in Spanish). La Tercera. 19 August 2010. http://latercera.com/noticia/deportes/2010/08/656-285362-9-bielsa-convoca-por-primera-vez-a-mauricio-pinilla-a-la-seleccion-chilena.shtml. Retrieved 23 January 2011.
- ^ "Pinilla se perdería el partido contra Uruguay [Pinilla to miss game against Uruguay]" (in Spanish). El Gráfico. 11 November 2010. http://www.elgrafico.cl/pinilla-se-perderia-el-partido-contra-uruguay/. Retrieved 23 January 2011.
External links
- Stats at Liga de Fútbol Profesional (Spanish)
- BDFutbol profile
- Stats and profile at Zerozero
- Mauricio Pinilla career stats at Soccerbase
- LondonHearts profile
- Mauricio Pinilla at National-Football-Teams.com
U.S. Città di Palermo – current squad 1 Rubinho · 2 Mantovani · 3 Silvestre · 4 Cetto · 5 Barreto · 6 Muñoz · 7 Della Rocca · 8 Migliaccio · 10 Miccoli (c) · 11 Hernández · 12 Brichetto · 13 Aguirregaray · 14 Bertolo · 16 Zahavi · 19 Budan · 20 Acquah · 21 Bačinović · 22 Di Matteo · 26 Lores · 27 Iličić · 30 Simon · 31 Pisano · 33 Tzorvas · 42 Balzaretti · 51 Pinilla · 90 Álvarez · 99 Benussi · Head Coach: Mangia
Categories:- 1984 births
- Living people
- Chilean people of Italian descent
- Chilean footballers
- Association football forwards
- Chilean Primera División players
- Universidad de Chile players
- Serie A footballers
- Serie B footballers
- F.C. Internazionale Milano players
- A.C. ChievoVerona players
- U.S. Grosseto F.C. players
- U.S. Città di Palermo players
- La Liga footballers
- Celta de Vigo footballers
- Racing de Santander footballers
- Primeira Liga players
- Sporting Clube de Portugal footballers
- Scottish Premier League players
- Heart of Midlothian F.C. players
- Club de Regatas Vasco da Gama players
- Apollon Limassol FC players
- Chile international footballers
- Chilean expatriate footballers
- Expatriate footballers in Italy
- Expatriate footballers in Spain
- Expatriate footballers in Portugal
- Expatriate footballers in Scotland
- Expatriate footballers in Brazil
- Expatriate footballers in Cyprus
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