Luis Roberto Alves

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Born in Mexico, his father José Alves dos Santos was a Brazilian forward who played for Club América and his mother was a Croatian housewife. Zague spent his childhood in Brazil (where he was referred to as Zaguinho, Zague with the diminutive suffix '-inho' appended to signify him being his father's son) beginning his youth football career with Corinthians. He returned to Mexico in 1985 and made his debut with the Mexican Club América a year later. On 2 October 2003, his testimonial game was celebrated at the Estadio Azteca where America would defeat FC Barcelona 2–0. He was a physically strong and fast striker who was regarded as the best in his prime years for both América and Mexico. He was Hugo Sánchez's offense partner in the Mexican side who finished as runner-up in Copa América 1993, where he finished up as Mexico's top goalscorer of the tournament. He was part of the Mexico squad for the 1993 CONCACAF Gold Cup in which Mexico won the trophy and was the tournament top scorer with 11 goals which is still a CONCACAF record. Seven of those goals were scored against Martinique in a single game. Since 2018, Zague is an analyst for TV Azteca, alongside Luis García and Jorge Campos.

In Their Own Story

In the 1993 CONCACAF Gold Cup, Zague scored 11 goals, a tournament record that still stands. Seven of those goals came in a single game against Martinique. He represented Mexico at the FIFA World Cup in 1994 and earned 83 caps with 23 goals for his country.

Reader's Guide

Zague scored 23 goals in 83 caps for his country. He scored seven goals against Martinique in a single game during the 1993 CONCACAF Gold Cup. He was part of the Mexico side that finished as runner-up in Copa América 1993, where he finished up as Mexico's top goalscorer of the tournament (not the tournament's top goalscorer).

Did You Know?

• Zague is Club América's all-time leading scorer.
• He scored 11 goals in the 1993 CONCACAF Gold Cup, a tournament record.
• Seven of his Gold Cup goals came in one match against Martinique.
• His father also played for Club América.