Over the years CD Guadalajara have become Mexico's most popular team. One of the men who helped them acquire that status was legendary striker Salvador Reyes, the best player ever to turn out in the red-and-white jersey.

Some four decades after supposedly playing his last game for Chivas, the hometown hero was back in action last Saturday as the club paid a unique homage to his achievements by naming him in the starting XI for their league clash with Pumas UNAM.

After lining up with the class of 2008 for the team photo, it was the sprightly septuagenarian in the No57 shirt who got the game underway, laying the ball off to Sergio Santana and taking a return pass before playing a neat one-two with Ramon Morales and rolling the ball into touch.

And with that, the man they call Don Chava promptly retired to the bench. Reyes' 50-second cameo had the desired effect on his team-mates for a day, however, inspiring them to a crucial 3-0 win over the university outfit.

A hero's tale
Born on 20 September 1936 in Guadalajara, Salvador Reyes Monteon was destined to be a footballer. His father Luis was also a professional player, and by the age of 16 Reyes junior was making his debut with his beloved Chivas. The teenager would go on to become an idol to the club's legions of fans and the highest scorer in the club's history with 122 goals.

Quickly acquiring a reputation for his speed of thought, lethal instinct in the penalty box and a powerful shot, Reyes ensured his place in the pantheon of Guadalajara greats with the last-minute goal that secured the club their first league title in the 1956/57 season.

That triumph marked the beginning of the so-called Campeonísimo era when Guadalajara, the only league side made up exclusively of Mexican players, dominated the domestic scene and won trophy after trophy. Between 1956 and 1965, Guadalajara amassed seven league crowns along with the Mexican Cup in 1963, six Campeon de Campeones trophies (missing out only in the 1961/62 campaign), and one CONCACAF Champions Cup in 1962. Just for good measure, Reyes ended the 1960/61 season as top scorer with 21 goals in 25 games.

Not surprisingly, Reyes also earned international recognition, making nine appearances at three FIFA World Cup™ finals tournaments (Sweden 1958, Chile 1962 and England 1966). Also known as Melón, the free-scoring striker bowed out of professional football in 1967, ending his career with Laguna.

Emotional occasion
And so, 41 years after playing what was meant to be his last game, Reyes turned back the clock and returned to his old stamping ground. While the comeback lasted only a few seconds, the living legend was delighted to be back in the spotlight.

"It's a wonderful feeling to run out at the Jalisco after so many years. The win makes it feel even better," commented a visibly moved Reyes after the final whistle.

Not content with giving the local hero his moment of glory on the pitch, the Guadalajara squad were also determined to set the seal on the day with an important win, as Reyes explained. "We were talking in the dressing room and Ramon Morales and the rest of them said: 'We're going to win boys, and we're going to dedicate it to Chava'. They did really well."

For skipper Morales, the opportunity to run out with one of his greatest heroes was an occasion he will never forget. "He's given so much to this club that he really deserved the win today. Playing a couple of passes with him in an official match was a real honour for me I can tell you."

It proved to a perfect day for Reyes, and at the end of it all he expressed his gratitude for a truly remarkable homage. "I have to say I've been fighting back the tears. Thank you so much for this tribute," he said.

"The best thing about it is that I've actually been here to see it. Naturally I would have liked to play 45 minutes but I knew it wasn't possible, and after today I know that that's it for me."