Salvador Reyes
Chivas' all-time leading scorer and Campeonísimo icon.
Salvador Reyes Monteón (September 20, 1936 – December 29, 2012) was a Mexican professional footballer who played as a forward. He spent the majority of his career with Guadalajara, where he established himself as the club's all-time leading scorer, a record that would stand for more than four decades. A pivotal figure during the renowned Campeonísimo era, he played a decisive role in securing the club's first seven Primera División titles. He also remains the all-time leading goalscorer in the Clásico Tapatío. At the age of 71, he became the oldest player ever to appear in Mexico’s top flight. At the international level, he represented Mexico at the FIFA World Cup in 1958, 1962 and 1966.
Quick Facts
- Full name
- Salvador Reyes Monteón
- Born
- 20 September 1936
- Birthplace
- Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
- Died
- 29 December 2012
- Height
- 1.73 m / 5 ft 8 in
- Position
- Forward
Lore & Background
Reyes was born on September 20, 1936, in Guadalajara, Jalisco, into a footballing family. His father, Luis Reyes, had played for Chivas, and young Salvador grew up deeply connected to the club, even serving as a ball boy before entering its youth system. In 1953, at just 16 years old, he made his first-team debut for Guadalajara in a match against León, becoming the youngest player to represent the club in the national league. He scored his first goal that same year and went on to amass 122 league goals, a club record that stood for more than four decades.
In 1957, he netted the winner against Irapuato that secured Chivas’ first league title, igniting the golden era of the Campeonísimo. Between 1957 and 1965, he helped the team capture seven league championships, claimed the top scorer title in 1961–62 season, and became Chivas’ most lethal scorer in Clásicos against Club América, with 14 goals. He also delivered a memorable hat-trick in the 1962 CONCACAF Champions' Cup final, securing Chivas’ first international trophy.
On January 19, 2008, at the age of 71, he took the field for the opening minute of a league match against UNAM in a moving tribute, becoming the oldest player ever to appear in Mexico's top division. Chivas later named their stadium press box in his honor.
Reader's Guide
Reyes is remembered as a prolific striker and a club legend for Guadalajara. His 122 league goals stood as a club record for more than four decades. He is the all-time leading goalscorer in the Clásico Tapatío.
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