Teofilo Cubillas

Teofilo Cubillas is a former professional football player from Peru. He is best known for playing for Alianza Lima. He also played for the Peru National Team from 1968 to 1982. In 2004, he was named by Pele as one of FIFA’s 100 Best Living Players.

Player Profile

Teófilo Juan Cubillas Arizaga was born on March 8, 1949, in Lima, Peru. He stands 173 cm tall. Early in his career, he received the nickname ‘Nene’ for his boyish looks.

Professional Career

He started his professional career playing for Alianza Lima when he was 16 years old in 1966. In 1973, he signed with Basel but only played 10 matches with them before he signed with Porto and ended up playing with them from 1974 to 1977.

In 1977, he returned to playing for Lima and helped them win the Peruvian Primera Division title. After that stint, he went to the United States and signed with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers. From 1984 to 1988, he would return to play for Lima while also playing for US clubs.

In 1988, he appeared 12 times for the Strikers, and in 1989, he signed with the Miami Sharks, playing with them for 8 matches. He retired shortly after.

Arizaga is widely considered a football legend in Peru and was named by Pele as one of the top 100 living players in FIFA in 2004.

Career Highlights:

Porto

• 1976–77 - Taça de Portugal

Alianza Lima

• 1977-1978 - Peruvian Primera

División

Fort Lauderdale Sun

• 1984, 1985 - United Soccer League:

Peru

• 1975 - Copa América

Individual

• 1966, 1970 - Peruvian Primera

División top scorer

• 19701970 - FIFA World Cup Best Young

Player

• 1970 - FIFA World Cup Bronze Boot
• 1972 - Copa Libertadores top scorer
• 1972 - South American Footballer of

the Year

• 1973 - CONMEBOL All-Star Team
• 1975 - Copa America Best Player
• 1978 - FIFA World Cup Silver Boot
• 1978 - FIFA World Cup All-Star Team
• 1980, 1981 - NASL All-Star teams,

all-time

• 1981 - NASL Best Midfield
• 1984 - Fort Lauderdale Strikers top

scorer, all time

• 2000 - France Football: World Cup

top 100 1930–1990

• 2000 - World Soccer The 100 Greatest

Footballers of All Time

• 2000 - Placar The 100 Players of the

Century

• 2000 - Placar The 100 Players FIFA

World Cup

• 2004 - FIFA 100
• 2006 - IFFHS' Best Players of the

Century for Peru

• 2006 - World – Player of the Century

Nº 48

• 2006 - South American – Player of

the Century Nº 17

• 2007 - The Best of The Best – Player

of the Century Top 50

• 2008 - CONMEBOL All-Star first team

1958–2008

• 2008 - Peru national team all-time

scoring leader

Team History:

National Team

• 1968–1982 - Peru

Teams Managed

• 1988 - Alianza Lima