Gerardo Torrado


Gerardo Torrado Díez de Bonilla is a former Mexican professional footballer who played as a midfielder and current sporting director of the Mexican Football Federation. He is known as "El Borrego" for his bushy hair. His style of playing is commonly known to be rough in the field but with good recovery of the ball and effective passing abilities.
He was capped for the Mexico national football team 146 times, making him the joint-second highest appearance maker for El Tri after Claudio Suárez. He represented the nation at the 2002, 2006 and 2010 FIFA World Cups and has won three CONCACAF Gold Cup tournaments.
He spent the majority of his club career with Cruz Azul, whom he captained to CONCACAF Champions League success in 2014.

Club career

Born in Mexico City, Torrado began his career with UNAM in 1997. After a few years playing in Spain, he became a Cruz Azul player in 2005, débuting against Monarcas Morelia where he scored the two goals in the 2–0 win for Cruz Azul. He rapidly emerged as one of the most important players in the squad. An aggressive midfielder, Torrado has gotten many red and yellow cards in his career. He has captained the team since 2006, and has led the team to three league finals and a CONCACAF Champions League final in 2009, and on 26 April 2014 he became CONCACAF champion for the first time in his career with Cruz Azul.

Spain

After débuting for UNAM in 1997, Torrado was bought three years later by Spanish club CD Tenerife where he played almost the whole season. The following year he was transferred to Poli Ejido. He caught the eye of Spanish club Sevilla where he had success in his first season but an injury left him out for almost a full season. He was then transferred to Racing de Santander. He did not have much chance to play because of his reported differences with the coach. He was eventually forced to return to Mexico.

Indy Eleven

On 8 June 2016, Torrado signed for NASL side Indy Eleven, extending his contract for the 2017 season on 26 January 2017.
Torrado retired on 30 October 2017 ending a 20-year career span.

International career

Torrado made an impact when he represented Mexico at the 1999 FIFA U-20 World Cup, which put the spotlight on him as a potential national team player. Ever since his début in a friendly match against Argentina, he has become a mainstay in the national team. Torrado scored his first goal for Mexico in the 1999 Copa América against Peru, scoring with a stunning long-range shot in stoppage time which saved the game for Mexico. His goal ensured that the match ended 3–3 and Mexico then went on to win on penalties. Torrado has been in the Mexico squads for the 2002, 2006 and 2010 FIFA World Cup and was vice-captain for the 2010 tournament in South Africa, playing in all four of Mexico's matches as they were eliminated in the Round of 16 after losing 3–1 to Argentina.

After retirement

Following his retirement as a footballer, on 24 August 2017, Guillermo Cantú announced Torrado to become the sporting director for the Mexican Football Federation.

Career statistics

International

Statistics accurate as of match played 6 September 2013

International goals

GoalDateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.10 July 1999Estadio Defensores del Chaco, Asunción, Paraguay3–34–2 1999 Copa América
2.9 June 2002Miyagi Stadium, Rifu, Japan2–12–12002 FIFA World Cup
3.2 June 2007Estadio Alfonso Lastras, San Luis Potosí, Mexico4–04–0Friendly
4.8 July 2007Estadio Monumental de Maturín, Maturín, Venezuela2–06–02007 Copa América
5.12 July 2009University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, United States1–02–02009 CONCACAF Gold Cup
6.26 July 2009Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, United States1–05–02009 CONCACAF Gold Cup

Honours

Club

;Cruz Azul
;Indy Eleven
;Mexico