Esteban Paredes has accumulated a vast amount of experience in the Chilean game since making his debut for Santiago Morning back in 2000, though it has been over the last three years that he has really made his name. Paredes’ goalscoring flame ignited upon his return to his first club in 2005 after a spell away, subsequently earning a move to domestic heavyweights Colo Colo after topping the scorers’ charts in the 2009 Apertura.
His fine positional sense and nose for goal have continued to be in evidence at El Cacique. These qualities combined with his deadly set pieces and ability to finish with either foot to help Colo Colo clinch the 2009 Clausura crown.
Chile coach Marcelo Bielsa first called upon the forward in 2009, taking him to Japan for that year’s Kirin Cup and giving him a run-out in La Roja’s final 2010 FIFA World Cup™ qualifier against Ecuador after the team had already sealed a place in South Africa. And though the prolific Humberto Suazo is clearly first-choice central striker in Bielsa’s plans, Paredes has been level-pegging with Hector Mancilla in the race to be El Chupete’s understudy.
