Marcelo Jesús Torrez Contreras (born 8 July 2006) is a Bolivian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for the under-20 team of Brazilian club Santos and the Bolivia national team.[1]
Born in Villamontes, Tarija,[2] Torrez began his career with local side Club Atlético Pilcomayo before joining Proyecto Bolivia 2022, a project created to encourage the development of young Bolivian men's footballers, in 2020.[3] In 2021, he went on a trial at Santos, subsequently joining the club in the following year but being unable to sign a contract due to the FIFA rules over underage players.[4][5]
Torrez signed his first professional contract with Santos on 17 July 2024, shortly after his 18th birthday.[6]
Torrez represented the Bolivia national under-17 team at the 2023 South American U-17 Championship, making four appearances and scoring once in a 3–1 loss to Paraguay; he was also team captain of the side in the tournament.[2] On 19 August 2024, he was called up to the Bolivia national under-19 team for a period of trainings.[7]
On 23 August 2024, Torrez was included in Óscar Villegas' first call-up to the full side for two 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela and Chile.[8][9]
