Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Alexander Escobar Gañán | ||
Date of birth | 8 February 1965 | ||
Place of birth | Cali, Colombia | ||
Height | 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) | ||
Playing position | Midfielder | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
1983–1996 | América de Cali | 505 | (75) |
1996 | → Atlético Mineiro (loan) | 8 | (0) |
1997–2000 | LDU Quito | 129 | (27) |
2001 | Millonarios | 21 | (0) |
2001 | Deportivo Pereira | 21 | (0) |
2002–2005 | LDU Quito | 111 | (8) |
Total | 795 | (110) | |
National team | |||
1985–1995 | Colombia | 12 | (1) |
Teams managed | |||
2005–2006 | LDU Quito (assistant) | ||
2007 | América de Cali | ||
2007–2009 | América de Cali (assistant) | ||
2010 | Junior (assistant) | ||
2011 | Juan Aurich (assistant) | ||
2013 | América de Cali (assistant) | ||
2016– | Orsomarso | ||
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. |
Alexander Escobar Gañán (born 8 February 1965), also known as Álex Escobar, is a retired Colombian footballer who played as a midfielder. He is currently head coach for Orsomarso S.C.
Escobar is highly regarded in América de Cali and LDU de Quito, as well as in the Colombia national team. With the first he won six Primera A titles, and with the second won four Serie A titles. He is also the player with most appearances in América de Cali.
Escobar was born in Cali on 8 February 1965. His father was Hernán Escobar Echeverry, a retired defender that played in América de Cali, Atlético Nacional and Independiente Medellín. Escobar scored 14 goals in 83 matches in the Copa Libertadores from 1984 to 2004, making him the 9th player with most appearances in the tournament on 27 March 2004.
Escobar was part of the youth team of América de Cali, and played for the national football team of Valle del Cauca on 1982 and 1983. He debuted for América on 1983, and played for the team until 1997, when was transferred to LDU de Quito. Escobar is the player with most appearances for América, with 505 games played, and with 75 goals scored.
Escobar made his international debut on 3 November 1985 (with just 20), while playing for América de Cali, in the match against Paraguay for the 1986 FIFA World Cup qualifying. The match ended with a 2–1 win, but Colombia (who had lost the previous game 4–0) was eliminated.