Alfredo Pacheco was a talented soccer player from El Salvador, best known for his record-breaking number of appearances on the national football team. His career was filled with triumphs and controversies, ultimately leading to his tragic and untimely death.
Alfredo Pacheco was born on January 12, 1982, in Santa Ana, El Salvador. From a young age, he showed a natural talent for soccer and began playing for Club Deportivo Futbolistas Asociados Santanecos. His skills quickly caught the attention of scouts, and in 2001, he earned a spot in the Salvadoran Primera División.
In 2001, Alfredo Pacheco made his professional debut in a league match against Club Deportivo Municipal Limeño. He quickly rose through the ranks and became a key player for the El Salvador national team. In 2003, he set a record for the most capped Salvadoran player of all time, with 86 appearances for the men's national team.
One of the highlights of his career was winning the gold medal at the Central American and Caribbean Games with the Salvadoran U-23 team. Pacheco's talent and dedication to the sport made him a beloved figure in the soccer world.
Despite his success on the field, Alfredo Pacheco's career was marred by controversy. In 2013, he and 14 other members of the El Salvador national team were banned for life by the country's football federation for match-fixing. They were accused of accepting bribes in games against Mexico and Paraguay, tarnishing Pacheco's reputation.
These allegations shocked fans and fellow players alike, and Pacheco's career took a dark turn. The ban effectively ended his professional soccer career and cast a shadow over his accomplishments on the field.
Off the field, Alfredo Pacheco was a devoted husband to his wife, Elizabeth de Pacheco, and a loving father to their two children, Alexia and Marco. Despite the challenges he faced in his career, Pacheco found strength and solace in his family.
On December 27, 2015, tragedy struck when Alfredo Pacheco was murdered at a gas station in his hometown of Santa Ana, El Salvador. His untimely death shocked the soccer community and left a void in the hearts of fans around the world.
Alfredo Pacheco's legacy as a talented soccer player and a beloved figure in El Salvador's sporting history lives on, despite the controversies that marked his career. He will be remembered for his skill, passion, and the lasting impact he made on the sport he loved.