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Mauricio Pinilla
Mauricio Pinilla
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Mauricio Ricardo Pinilla Ferrera (born 4 February 1984) is a Chilean former professional footballer who played as a striker.

Key Information

After beginning his career at Universidad de Chile, he signed for Inter Milan at the age of 19, but never appeared for the club in four years. He went on to play in five countries, mainly Italy.

A Chile international since 2003, Pinilla represented the country at the 2014 World Cup and two Copa América, winning the 2015 and 2016 editions of the latter tournament.

Club career

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Early career

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Born in Santiago, Pinilla started his career with Club Universidad de Chile, leaving for European football and Italian giants Inter Milan in 2003 after signing a five-year contract.[3]

However, he was immediately sold to fellow Serie A club AC ChievoVerona (which acquired 50% of the player's rights),[4] and finished the 2003–04 season on loan again, to La Liga side RC Celta de Vigo,[5] not managing to score in a total of 12 league appearances.

Journeyman

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In July 2004, Sporting CP bought 50% of his playing rights[6] and Pinilla, having spent much of the season on a low note, finished it with five goals, notably a hat-trick in a 3–0 away win against S.C. Braga on 1 May 2005.[7]

However, he was also unable to settle at Sporting[8] and, in January 2006, would move on loan, finishing the campaign at Racing de Santander.[9] On 26 February 2006 he netted his only goal for the Cantabria team, a penalty kick in a 2–2 draw at Deportivo Alavés.[10]

In 2006–07, Pinilla was once again loaned, now to Heart of Midlothian.[11] His time in Edinburgh was beset by injuries, resulting in him only playing a handful of times for the first team; in February 2007, he returned to Universidad de Chile.[12]

Pinilla returned to Hearts for pre-season training ahead of the 2007–08 season, with the club buying out Sporting's half of his rights.[13] However, his return suffered a major setback when it was revealed the player had a fractured scaphoid wrist bone, a hidden injury sustained while still in Chile;[14] this put him out of action for a six further weeks.

On 9 January 2008, Pinilla sustained another injury in training that sidelined him for the rest of the campaign.[15] On 6 May, his agent stated that he had signed a deal which would keep him at Tynecastle Park until 2011,[16] after his contract with Inter expired the following month. However, on 1 July, Hearts announced that they had released the forward.[17][18]

Pinilla joined Brazil's CR Vasco da Gama in early September 2008, signing a contract until the end of the season.[19] He played his first match with his new club in a 1–0 home defeat to CR Flamengo, in a derby.[20]

After Vasco was relegated to the Série B, Pinilla left and moved to Cyprus' Apollon Limassol FC as a free agent.[21]

Back to Italy and Serie A

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Pinilla returned to Italy in August 2009, joining Serie B's US Grosseto 1912 on a free transfer. At the Tuscan club, his once promising career got back on track, as he scored 24 goals in 24 games – including a series of 12 consecutive matches netting, a competition record[22]– and finished the campaign as the second best scorer despite missing more than a third of the fixtures through different injuries.

In June 2010, US Città di Palermo announced the signing of Pinilla.[23] He scored five league goals in his first 12 appearances, being an important attacking unit in a side that also included Abel Hernández, Massimo Maccarone and Fabrizio Miccoli.[24]

On 11 September 2011, in the season's opener, Pinilla was brought from the bench to score the 4–2 for Palermo against his former team Inter, in an eventual 4–3 home win.[25] On 25 January of the following year he was loaned to Cagliari Calcio in the same league, with the Sardinians having the option of making the move permanent in June.[26]

Pinilla joined Cagliari on a permanent basis on 2 July 2012.[27] Two years later, after an average of seven league goals per season, he moved to Genoa CFC on a 2+1 years deal.[28]

Whilst at the service of Atalanta BC, on loan, Pinilla scored arguably one of the best goals of the season in Italy on 4 April 2015, after netting through a bicycle kick in a 1–2 home loss to Torino FC.[29] He added a further five during his five-month tenure, being crucial as his team narrowly avoided relegation as 17th.

On 5 January 2017, Pinilla returned to Genoa on a loan with an obligation to buy, replacing Leonardo Pavoletti who left for SSC Napoli.[30]

Return to Universidad

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On 21 July 2017, aged 33 and ten years after last leaving the club, Pinilla terminated his contract with Genoa and returned to Universidad de Chile.[31] He retired in February 2021, following a two-year spell at Coquimbo Unido who were relegated from the Chilean Primera División at the end of the 2020 season.[32]

International career

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Pinilla earned the first of his 45 caps for Chile on 30 March 2003 in a friendly against Peru, closing a 2–0 win through a header,[33] and later led his country's scoring in the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifiers with three goals.[34] However, on 27 February 2007, whilst on loan to Universidad de Chile, he was caught in a hotel with María José López, the model wife of national team captain Luis Antonio Jiménez.[35]

Subsequently, Pinilla announced his decision to retire from the international scene.[36] In August 2010 he returned to the team, being recalled by manager Marcelo Bielsa for an exhibition game with Ukraine.[37] He was also picked for a match against Uruguay later in November of the following year, only to be called off due to injury.[38]

Pinilla was selected for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.[39] He made his debut in the tournament on 14 June, playing two minutes in a 3–1 group stage victory over Australia and being involved in Jean Beausejour's goal.[40] Again from the bench, he appeared in the round-of-16 against the hosts: his 119th minute shot hit the bar with the score at 1–1, and he later missed his penalty shootout attempt in an eventual elimination.[41]

Pinilla was a member of the squad which won the 2015 Copa América on home soil for their first continental honour, contributing two late substitute appearances.[42][43] On 29 March 2016, he and Arturo Vidal scored twice each in a 4–1 away defeat of Venezuela in qualification for the 2018 World Cup.[44]

Post-retirement

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In March 2021, Pinilla joined ESPN Chile as a commentator and analyst along with fellow former footballer Marcelo Espina.[45] That same year, he moved to Televisión Nacional de Chile as host of non-football shows.[46]

Personal life

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Pinilla's nephew, Felipe Miranda, played youth football with Colo-Colo, being at that point followed by Palermo.[47]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of 3 December 2017[48][49]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup League cup Continental Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Universidad de Chile 2002[a] 25 10 25 10
2003[b] 14 10 14 10
Total 39 20 39 20
Inter Milan 2003–04 0 0 0 0
Chievo (loan) 2003–04 6 0 2 0 8 0
Celta (loan) 2003–04 6 0 2 2 2 0 10 2
Sporting CP 2004–05 16 5 1 0 4 1 21 6
2005–06 4 0 0 0 3 1 7 1
Total 20 5 1 0 7 2 28 7
Racing Santander (loan) 2005–06 13 1 13 1
Hearts (loan) 2006–07 3 2 0 0 0 0 3 0 6 2
Universidad de Chile (loan) 2007 Apertura 4 2 4 2
Hearts 2007–08 2 0 0 0 2 0
Vasco da Gama 2008 3 0 3 0
Apollon Limassol 2008–09 5 2 5 2
Grosseto 2009–10 24 24 1 0 25 24
Palermo 2010–11 22 8 3 0 6 1 31 9
2011–12 13 2 0 0 1 0 14 2
Total 35 10 3 0 7 1 45 11
Cagliari (loan) 2011–12 14 8 14 8
Cagliari 2012–13 23 7 3 2 26 9
2013–14 26 7 1 1 27 8
Total 49 14 4 3 54 17
Genoa 2014–15 12 3 2 1 14 4
Atalanta (loan) 2014–15 14 6 14 6
Atalanta 2015–16 20 5 1 1 21 6
2016–17 4 1 0 0 4 1
Total 24 6 1 1 25 6
Genoa 2016–17 12 0 1 1 13 1
Universidad de Chile 2017 11 7 4 2 15 9
Career total 296 110 22 10 0 0 19 3 337 123
  1. ^ Includes Apertura and Clausura
  2. ^ Includes Apertura and Clausura

International

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Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Chile 2003 7 2
2004 6 1
2005 5 2
2006 3 0
2011 1 0
2012 1 0
2013 1 0
2014 9 1
2015 4 0
2016 8 2
Total 45 8
Scores and results list Chile's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Pinilla goal.
List of international goals scored by Mauricio Pinilla
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 30 March 2003 Estadio Nacional, Santiago, Chile  Peru 2–0 2–0 Friendly
2 9 September 2003 Estadio Nacional, Santiago, Chile  Peru 1–0 2–1 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
3 1 June 2004 Polideportivo Pueblo Nuevo, San Cristóbal, Venezuela  Venezuela 1–0 1–0 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
4 9 February 2005 Sausalito, Viña del Mar, Chile  Ecuador 3–0 3–0 Friendly
5 30 March 2005 Defensores del Chaco, Asunción, Paraguay  Paraguay 1–2 1–2 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
6 4 June 2014 Elías Figueroa Brander, Valparaíso, Chile  Northern Ireland 2–0 2–0 Friendly
7 29 March 2016 Agustín Tovar, Barinas, Venezuela  Venezuela 1–1 4–1 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
8 2–1

Honours

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Mauricio Ricardo Pinilla Ferrera (born 4 February 1984) is a Chilean former professional footballer who played as a striker, known for his powerful shooting and career across multiple continents. Pinilla began his professional career with Universidad de Chile in 2002, where he made his senior debut before moving to at age 19 to join in 2003, though he never appeared for the first team during his brief stint there. Over the next several years, he was loaned to various clubs in , including Chievo Verona and Celta de Vigo in 2003–2004, Sporting CP from 2004 to 2005, Racing Santander in 2006, and Heart of Midlothian in from 2006 to 2008, before joining in in 2008 and Apollon Limassol in in 2009, experiencing inconsistent playing time and spells in lower divisions. He found more stability upon returning to Italy's with in 2010, followed by stints at (2012–2014), (2014–2015 and 2017), and (2015–2017), where he scored over 50 goals across these clubs and established himself as a reliable forward despite frequent transfers. Later in his career, Pinilla returned to , rejoining Universidad de Chile from 2017 to 2018 before signing with in 2019, where he played until his retirement in February 2021 following the club's relegation from the . Internationally, Pinilla earned 45 caps for the national team between 2003 and 2016, scoring 8 goals, with his debut coming in a 2–0 friendly win over in March 2003. He represented Chile at the , where he featured in three matches including a notable near-miss against in the round of 16, and was part of the squads that won the in 2015 and 2016, contributing to Chile's back-to-back continental triumphs. Since retiring, Pinilla has transitioned into media work, joining ESPN Chile as a commentator and analyst in March 2021.

Club career

Early career in Chile and move to Europe

Mauricio Ricardo Pinilla Ferrera began his professional football career with , the club where he developed through the youth ranks in his hometown of Santiago. Born on 4 February 1984, he made his senior debut for the team during the 2002 season at the age of 18, emerging as a promising striker known for his physical presence and goal-scoring instinct. In the 2002/03 season, Pinilla featured in 13 league matches, netting 10 goals and establishing himself as a key attacking option for the side. His performances that year contributed to a broader tally of 20 goals across 2002 and 2003 in the , drawing attention from European scouts and highlighting his rapid rise in Chilean football. Pinilla's breakout form at Universidad de Chile solidified his reputation as one of the league's top young talents. By mid-2003, his prolific output and international debut for earlier that year—scoring on his first cap against in March—propelled him toward a high-profile transfer abroad. Universidad de Chile, recognizing the opportunity, allowed the 19-year-old to pursue opportunities in , marking the end of his initial stint with the club after limited but impactful appearances totaling around 28 across all competitions in his early years. In July 2003, Pinilla secured a lucrative move to Italian giants Inter Milan, signing for a reported €2.5 million fee, which reflected the high expectations for his potential in Serie A. However, he did not make a single competitive appearance for Inter's first team during the 2003/04 season, instead being loaned out immediately to fellow Serie A club Chievo Verona for the first half of the campaign to gain experience, followed by a loan to Celta de Vigo in La Liga for the second half. This transition to Europe initiated a period of adaptation challenges, as Pinilla adjusted to the higher tactical demands and physicality of Italian and Spanish football, setting the stage for further loans and his development abroad.

Journeyman period

During his tenure with Sporting CP, which extended until 2007, Pinilla embarked on a series of loan moves and short stints across and , marking a transitional phase characterized by limited playing time, injuries, and inconsistent performances. In July 2006, he joined Racing Santander on a season-long loan in , where he featured in 13 matches and scored one goal, contributing modestly to the team's mid-table finish but struggling to secure a regular starting role. Pinilla's next move came in August 2007, when he signed a permanent three-year contract with club Hearts for a reported £800,000, following an initial loan spell the previous season. However, his time in was plagued by knee injuries and adaptation challenges, limiting him to just eight appearances and two goals across the 2006-07 and 2007-08 seasons. Amid these difficulties, he returned to Universidad de Chile on loan from to June 2007, where he played four games and scored twice, providing a brief homecoming before focusing on recovery. To regain form, Pinilla was loaned to Brazilian club in mid-2008, but the spell yielded only three goalless appearances amid the team's relegation battle. Later that year, from August 2008 to January 2009, he moved to Cypriot side Apollon Limassol on another loan, showing improvement with 5 goals in 5 matches during the First Division campaign. His most productive outing in this period came in January 2010, when he joined outfit on loan until the end of the season, exploding for 24 goals in 25 appearances and helping the club avoid relegation while earning the top scorer honors in the league.

Serie A revival

After a prolific spell at Serie B club Grosseto, where he scored 24 goals in 24 appearances during the 2009–10 season, Pinilla earned a move to Serie A side Palermo on a free transfer in January 2010. However, limited opportunities at Palermo led to a six-month loan to Cagliari in January 2012, with an option to buy. This move marked the beginning of his Serie A revival, as the Chilean striker quickly adapted to the top flight, scoring 8 goals and providing 1 assist in 14 appearances (1,165 minutes) during the second half of the 2011–12 season. His contributions were instrumental in helping Cagliari achieve their highest-ever points total in Serie A that year, finishing 15th with 43 points. Pinilla's form prompted Cagliari to make the transfer permanent in July 2012 for an undisclosed fee. Over the next two full seasons, he established himself as a reliable forward, netting 7 goals in 23 appearances (1,296 minutes) during 2012–13 and another 7 goals with 3 assists in 26 appearances (1,600 minutes) in 2013–14. Notable performances included a brace against in April 2013, comprising a controversial penalty and a powerful strike, securing a 2–0 victory that highlighted his physical presence and finishing ability despite his lifelong fandom of the Nerazzurri. These consistent outputs, totaling 22 goals across his tenure, revitalized his career after earlier inconsistencies in and positioned him as a key attacking threat for the Sardinian club. In August 2014, Pinilla transferred to rivals Genoa on a permanent deal for €1.2 million, seeking a new challenge at age 30. He contributed 3 goals in 12 appearances (618 minutes) during the first half of the 2014–15 season, aiding Genoa's mid-table stability. In January 2015, he joined Atalanta on loan, scoring 6 goals in 14 appearances, which led to a permanent transfer in the summer. At Atalanta from 2015 to 2017, he added 6 goals in 24 appearances during the 2015–16 and 2016–17 seasons. In July 2017, Pinilla returned to Genoa on a free transfer but managed only 12 goalless appearances (553 minutes) and 1 assist in 2016–17 before terminating his contract later that month. Overall, Pinilla's Serie A revival spanned appearances with Palermo, Cagliari, Atalanta, and Genoa, where he scored over 40 goals, demonstrating renewed consistency as a journeyman striker in Italy's elite division.

Return to Chile and retirement

In July 2017, Pinilla terminated his contract with Genoa and returned to his boyhood club, Universidad de Chile, at the age of 33, marking his first appearance for the team in a decade. During the 2017–2018 seasons, he featured in 20 league matches for Universidad de Chile, scoring 13 goals and providing 2 assists while accumulating 1,421 minutes on the pitch. His contributions included strong aerial presence and key goals that helped stabilize the team's attack, earning him recognition as the Best Striker in the 2017 El Gráfico Awards, shared with Esteban Paredes of Colo-Colo. After departing Universidad de Chile following the 2018 season, Pinilla joined on a free transfer in January 2019. Over two seasons with the club, he made 28 appearances across all competitions, netting 7 goals, including notable strikes in the . Coquimbo Unido's relegation from the at the conclusion of the 2020 season, combined with a prolonged injury that limited his play, prompted Pinilla to retire in February 2021 at age 37. He mutually terminated his contract with the club, reflecting on the two years as among the most fulfilling of his career despite the downturn.

International career

Senior debut and domestic competitions

Pinilla made his senior debut for the on 30 March 2003, during a friendly match against at the Estadio Nacional in Santiago. Entering as a substitute, he scored the second goal of the game with a header three minutes after coming on, securing a 2–0 victory and marking an impactful start to his international career. Throughout his tenure with La Roja, Pinilla earned 45 caps and netted 8 goals, with most of his contributions coming in friendlies and qualifiers between 2003 and 2016. His goals included strikes against (twice in 2003), (2004), (2005), (2005), (2014), and (twice in 2016), often proving decisive in maintaining momentum during qualification campaigns. These performances underscored his role as a reliable forward option, particularly in high-stakes South American matches. Pinilla's international experience extended to the , South America's premier continental tournament, where he featured in the 2015 and 2016 editions as part of Chile's successful squads.

Major tournaments

Pinilla was named to Chile's squad for the in but did not appear in any matches. He made his major tournament debut at the in , appearing as a substitute in two group stage matches against and the , helping top their group despite not featuring in the 2–0 win over . In the round of 16 against hosts on 28 June, he entered in the 57th minute and nearly forced extra time with a powerful volley that struck the crossbar in the 120th minute, but were eliminated 3–2 on penalties after a 1–1 draw. An altercation in the tunnel at halftime, where Pinilla claimed he was punched by a Brazilian official, led to a investigation. Pinilla was part of Chile's squad for the on home soil, contributing to their first-ever title win. He made substitute appearances in the group stage against , the quarter-final against (a 1–0 win sealed by Mauricio Isla's 81st-minute strike), and the final against , which Chile claimed 4–1 on penalties following a 0–0 draw. In the 2016 Copa América Centenario in the United States, Pinilla again helped Chile secure back-to-back triumphs, appearing in four matches with no goals. He started the group-stage victory over (2–1), where he assisted Arturo Vidal's opener, and came on as a substitute in the matches against and (4–2), as well as the quarter-final against and the final win over (4–2 after 0–0).

Later life

Post-retirement career

Following his from professional football in February 2021 due to a knee injury and the relegation of , Mauricio Pinilla transitioned into a media career as a sports commentator and analyst. In March 2021, Pinilla joined , where he began contributing to the flagship program ESPN FC alongside fellow former player Marcelo Espina, providing analysis on domestic and international football matches. His role expanded to include appearances on other programs, such as F90, focusing on tactical breakdowns and player evaluations drawn from his playing experience. He debuted on air on March 15, 2021, emphasizing a direct and opinionated style in his commentary. That same year, Pinilla also became a panelist at (TVN), serving as a commentator for major events including the in Santiago, where he covered athletics and team sports. He hosted and contributed to various sports segments over three years, until his contract was not renewed at the end of 2023, reportedly influenced by personal controversies earlier that year. Pinilla has continued his broadcasting work into 2025, remaining a regular on ESPN Chile's F360 program, where he analyzes matches and international competitions. He also hosts and participates in Fuera de Área on Radio Agricultura, offering insights on transfer news and team strategies, as evidenced by his commentary on the 2025 Supercopa de Chile. These roles have established him as a prominent voice in Chilean sports media, leveraging his career highlights like his contributions.

Personal life

Pinilla has been married to Chilean Gissella Gallardo since July 17, 2009, after a relationship spanning over two decades. The couple has three children: Agustina (born December 2005), Matilda (born c. 2010), and Mauricio (born c. 2012). Their daughter Matilda was diagnosed with , a causing loss of pigmentation, at the age of three. The family faced challenges, including a separation in 2022 following the leak of videos alleging Pinilla's with an escort, which he later acknowledged as his fault in a 2024 interview. In March 2025, Pinilla and Gallardo reconciled, with public confirmation including a kiss video on March 31, 2025, and Pinilla celebrating her on in October 2025 while emphasizing family unity. Pinilla has been candid about his mental health struggles. During his 2006–2007 loan at Hearts FC, he experienced severe depression exacerbated by injuries and personal pressures, leading him to seek treatment at a psychiatric clinic in , funded by the club. Post-retirement in 2021, he has discussed difficulties transitioning to civilian life, including battles with addictions and moments of , particularly amid family strains and his daughter's health issues. As of June 2025, Pinilla reports ongoing recovery, prioritizing his role as a father and acknowledging past distance from his children.

Career statistics and honours

Club statistics

Mauricio Pinilla's club career spanned multiple leagues in Europe and South America, with a total of over 370 appearances and more than 130 goals across various competitions. The following table summarizes his performance data aggregated by club, including appearances, goals, and assists where available.
ClubSeasonsAppearancesGoalsAssists
Cagliari Calcio2012–201467256
Club Universidad de Chile2002–2003, 2017–201865365
Palermo FC2010–201245118
Atalanta Bergamo2015–201739135
Genoa CFC2014–2015, 20172751
Coquimbo Unido2019–20212872
Sporting Lissabon2004–20062770
US Grosseto 19122009–201025240
Racing Santander20061310
Celta Vigo2003–20041020
Heart of Midlothian FC2006–2008821
Chievo Verona2003–2004800
Apollon Limassol2009520
Vasco da Gama2008300
These figures encompass all senior-level matches in domestic leagues, cups, and other competitions during his professional tenure from 2001 to 2021.

International statistics

Pinilla represented the national team from 2003 to 2016, accumulating 45 caps and scoring 8 goals during his international career. His debut came on 30 March 2003 in a friendly against , where he scored the second goal in a 2–0 victory. His final appearance was on 7 September 2016 in a World Cup qualifier against . The following table summarizes his appearances and goals by competition:
CompetitionAppearancesGoals
FIFA World Cup qualification205
International friendlies183
40
30
Total458
All statistics are for senior international matches only.

Honours

Pinilla achieved significant success at the international level with the Chile national team, earning two titles during his career. He was part of the squad that won the held in , Chile's first major international trophy, where he made two substitute appearances in the group stage matches against and . In 2016, Pinilla contributed to Chile's victory in the Copa América Centenario in the United States, securing back-to-back continental championships; he featured as a substitute in the quarter-final against Mexico. These accomplishments represent the primary honours of his career, with no major club-level titles recorded.

References

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