Marco Estrada life and biography

Marco Andrés Estrada Quinteros, usually known as Marco Estrada (born May 28, 1983 in Viña del Mar) is a Chilean football defender currently playing for Montpellier of the Ligue 1. He was called up for the Chile national football team's friendlies against the two hosting nations of the 2008 Euro Cup. Against Switzerland, Chile lost 2-1 but had a legitimate goal called off and Austria, where Chile comfortably won 2-0. Both of these encounters were played on September 7, 2007 and September 11, 2007 in Austria. After two great performances Estrada was called up for two friendlies in Asia against Japan, where Chile held the hosts to a 0-0 draw and South Korea, where Chile won 1-0.

It was then where Estrada's aerial ability, marking, tenacity, powerful shots, long pass accuracy and technique continued to impress prestigious Chile's coach, Marcelo Bielsa who nominated him for the Bolivia and Venezuela games. Both matches were played in tough scenarios in the 3600 meter altitude Hernando Siles Stadium in La Paz and the Copa America 2007 Puerto Ordaz Stadium in Venezuela. Chile surprisingly won both games 2-0 and 3-2. Estrada proved to be extremely consistent in both matches, playing as a left wing back and a centre back. He is now a regular in the Chilean national team. Estrada scored his first International goal on Wednesday June 10. when his curling free kick beat Bolivian goalkeeper Carlo Arias after midfielder Ignacio Garcia of Bolivia was sent off in the 71st minute.

Many were surprised when Marcelo Bielsa called Estrada up for the World Cup qualifying duty, but the Universidad utility man has proved the critics totally wrong, showing up well in a number of positions: left-back, in central defence and as a midfield holder.

A speciality is his long-range shooting, hence his nickname of 'El Canonero azul' (The Blue Gunner), a reference to the blue shirts of his club Universidad de Chile. He notched his first international goal with a beautiful curling free-kick against Bolivia last year.

He first made his name at Everton - not the Goodison Park outfit but the Chilean side from Vina del Mar - and he is one of the unsung heroes of this Chile side.

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