Humberto Cruz

Humberto Carlos Nelson Cruz Silva (Spanish pronunciation: [umˈbeɾto ˈkɾuθ], born 8 December 1939) is a Chilean retired footballer that played in two FIFA World Cups (1962, Chile third place, and 1966) as centre back, despite his short height. He also has been a close friend of Pelé since they played against each other in the 1960s. According to Pelé, Cruz was one of his best markers and in several interviews he has mentioned the classic moment when Cruz pulled down his pants so he wouldn't elude him. His nickname is after Cheeta (pronounced Chita in Spanish), Tarzan's ape companion.

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Cruz and the second or maternal family name is Silva.
Humberto "Chita" Cruz
Cruz at the Moneda Palace in 2012
Personal information
Full name Humberto Carlos Nelson Cruz Silva
Date of birth (1939-12-08) 8 December 1939
Place of birth Santiago, Chile
Height 1.65 m (5 ft 5 in)
Position(s) Centre back
Youth career
Máximo Garay
1956 Colo-Colo
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1957–1962 Santiago Morning 120 (5)
1963–1971 Colo-Colo 259 (4)
1972 O'Higgins
1973–1974 Ñublense 67 (2)
1976 Ferroviarios
Total 446 (11)
International career
1961–1970 Chile 37 (0)
Managerial career
1978 Magallanes
1981–1982 Santiago Morning
1983 Deportes Laja
1984 Unión Española
1984 Fernández Vial
1985 Deportes Ovalle
1986 Ñublense
1986 Deportes Antofagasta
1988 Cobreandino
1990–1991 Deportes Ovalle
1996 Deportes Melipilla
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Chile
FIFA World Cup
Third place1962 Chile
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Personal life

Cruz is well known by his nickname Chita (Cheetah) which it was given when he was a youth player of club Máximo Garay from Estación Central due to his speed to mark as a defender.[1]

His son, Humberto Cruz Floh, was with the Universidad Católica youth ranks and represented Chile at under-20 level in the 1985 South American Championship.[2] Another son, Claudio Cruz, played for Deportes Antofagasta and Audax Italiano.[3]

Honours

Colo-Colo

Chile[4]

References
  1. ""Chita", "Pájaro", "Chamuca", "Caldillo" y "Bototo"... Cinco futbolistas revelan el origen de sus inconfundibles y notables apodos | Emol.com". Emol (in Spanish). El Mercurio. 21 April 2020. Retrieved 13 September 2022.
  2. "Grandes dinastías de la Selección: Padres e hijos que jugaron por "La Roja"". Guioteca.com (in Spanish). El Mercurio. 15 June 2014. Retrieved 13 September 2022.
  3. "Claudio Cruz :: Claudio Cruz Floh ::". zerozero.pt (in Portuguese). Retrieved 13 September 2022.
  4. "Humberto Cruz". Partidos de La Roja (in Spanish). Retrieved 13 September 2022.
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