Luis Ramírez Zapata
Encyclopedia
Luis Baltazar Ramírez Zapata (born 6 January 1954) is a retired Salvadoran footballer.
. He started with Águila before leaving to join other clubs and later in his career make a return to the San Miguel
based club. He also would go on to play for Atlético Marte and Alianza
in his homeland El Salvador
and spent time abroad playing for Cartaginés
in Costa Rica
and Puebla in Mexico. In 1990, he played for the Washington Diplomats
of the American Professional Soccer League
.
Ramírez was a member of the El Salvador
team at the 1982 World Cup
in Spain
. During the tournament, he scored their only goal in World Cup
history. Unfortunately, it came in a 10–1 defeat to Hungary
on June 15, 1982, which remains the single biggest loss for a team in the competition's history.
Ramírez Zapata scored 17 goals for the El Salvador national football team
from 1971 to 1989.
Career
Nicknamed "El Pelé", he spent nearly 20 years playing for Salvadoran club ÁguilaC.D. Águila
Club Deportivo Águila is a Salvadoran football club based in San Miguel. They currently play in the Primera División de Fútbol Profesional, and are one of the most prestigious teams in the country along with long-time rivals Club Deportivo FAS...
. He started with Águila before leaving to join other clubs and later in his career make a return to the San Miguel
San Miguel, El Salvador
San Miguel is the fourth most populous city in El Salvador after Santa Ana and Soyapango and the second most important after San Salvador. It is located 138 km east of the capital, San Salvador. It is also the capital of the department of San Miguel and a municipality...
based club. He also would go on to play for Atlético Marte and Alianza
Alianza F.C.
Alianza Fútbol Club, also known simply as Alianza, is a football club based in San Salvador, El Salvador. Alianza is one of the most popular and successful clubs in El Salvador...
in his homeland El Salvador
El Salvador
El Salvador or simply Salvador is the smallest and the most densely populated country in Central America. The country's capital city and largest city is San Salvador; Santa Ana and San Miguel are also important cultural and commercial centers in the country and in all of Central America...
and spent time abroad playing for Cartaginés
C.S. Cartaginés
Club Sport Cartaginés Deportiva S.A. is a Costa Rican football club, that currently plays in the Costa Rican Primera División. The club plays in Estadio Jose Rafael Fello Meza, in Barrio Asis de Cartago, Costa Rica.-History:...
in Costa Rica
Costa Rica
Costa Rica , officially the Republic of Costa Rica is a multilingual, multiethnic and multicultural country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the southeast, the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east....
and Puebla in Mexico. In 1990, he played for the Washington Diplomats
Washington Diplomats (APSL)
The Washington Diplomats were an American soccer team established in 1987 which played in the American Soccer League in 1988 and 1989 and the American Professional Soccer League in 1990.-History:...
of the American Professional Soccer League
American Professional Soccer League
The American Professional Soccer League is a former professional men's soccer league which featured teams from both the United States and Canada. It was the first outdoor soccer league to feature teams from throughout the United States since the demise of the original North American Soccer League...
.
Ramírez was a member of the El Salvador
El Salvador national football team
El Salvador's national football team represents El Salvador in international football and is sanctioned by the Federación Salvadoreña de Fútbol . In 1899, Santa Ana and San Salvador met for the first hosted football game in El Salvador...
team at the 1982 World Cup
1982 FIFA World Cup
The 1982 FIFA World Cup, the 12th FIFA World Cup, was held in Spain from 13 June to 11 July. The tournament was won by Italy, after defeating West Germany 3–1 in the final.-Host selection:...
in Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
. During the tournament, he scored their only goal in World Cup
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
history. Unfortunately, it came in a 10–1 defeat to Hungary
Hungary national football team
The Hungary national football team represents Hungary in international football and is controlled by the Hungarian Football Federation....
on June 15, 1982, which remains the single biggest loss for a team in the competition's history.
Ramírez Zapata scored 17 goals for the El Salvador national football team
El Salvador national football team
El Salvador's national football team represents El Salvador in international football and is sanctioned by the Federación Salvadoreña de Fútbol . In 1899, Santa Ana and San Salvador met for the first hosted football game in El Salvador...
from 1971 to 1989.