The striped striker has been vocal about the ambitions of the First Division, Copa Libertadores, Sudamericana, Copa Chile and the Super Cup tournaments.
Fernando Zampedri’s pass to Universidad Católica happened over the Christmas period in 2019, and soon a marathon of titles and recognitions began.
The midfielder finished as the top scorer in the 2020 and 2021 campaigns, in addition to winning those two national tournaments and two Super Cups. Yet his personal bests did not stop there. In May 2022, he surpassed Roberto Gutiérrez as the highest scoring active Crusader thanks to a brace against Unión La Calera at San Carlos de Apoquindo, and the climb continued. That evening the tally reached 78, with further doubles against San Felipe, Coquimbo, Audax Italiano and La Serena as victims.
At 34 years old and with a contract running through the final day of 2023, the dream of finishing among the top scorers for the Strip remains alive. He sits just three goals away from entering the top ten and 40 behind Rodrigo Barrera for the all-time club record, a mark that remains formidable.
The coaching staff led by Ariel Holan offered insight into Zampedri’s mindset. They described a regime of pressure, demand, and occasional provocation as tools to foster growth in the game, while emphasizing that Zampedri’s exceptional character and unwavering persistence are what stand out. This perspective came through in a GOAL interview conducted the week after goal 77 against the University of Chile at the reopened National Stadium.
Like every player, there are aspects to improve and adjust. The day their roles become redundant or burnout creeps in, they would sign off and move on. Yet this group possesses a lasting fire, a desire to push a little further, to score another goal, to defend a ball as if it were the last, to combine and enjoy football. These players have won four championships with four different coaches, and their merit lies in remaining curious, embracing challenges, and continually aiming higher. This is what motivates the team as Universidad Católica continues its ascent to more trophies.
The club’s trajectory added another chapter as Zampedri, who joined from Rosario Central, became part of a squad celebrated as living legends in the modern era of Universidad Católica, fueling a culture of triumph that keeps expanding.
The 78th goal, a strike of immense class, came against La Serena, a goal that tied him with longstanding stardoms and set up the subsequent sequence. He followed with a noteworthy 80th, produced during a postponed match in the Copa Chile against Huachipato after a clash over the ball with Parot. He added his 81st in a win against Ñublense by exploiting a false start by the Devils, and the 82nd in a pending tournament against Unión, marking it as one of his last celebrations of 2022. That year finished with him earning the top scorer title for both the league and Copa Chile, a rare double that underscored his importance to the team.
The official trophy tally for Universidad Católica reflects a period where the club benefited from Zampedri’s contributions. Was the club the Catholic champion or did the other sides claim more glory?
In 2023, Zampedri sparked further excitement by scoring a decisive goal for Everton in a 3-0 victory from a difficult angle. It was his 83rd tally for the club. He added goals in a 3-3 draw with Cobresal and a 5-2 win over Palestino, while contributing in the 1-2 win against Ñublense and the 2-2 draw with Unión Española. His 91st goal placed him just one behind a famed scorer as the team advanced to the North Central Zone quarterfinals of Copa Chile against Deportes Colina, with the 1-1 scoreline eventually decided by penalties.
*Statistics updated afterward Hill 1(2)-1(4) Catholic University
HOW MANY GOALS DID FERNANDO ZAMPEDRI SCORE FOR THE STRIP?
WHAT ARE THE HISTORICAL RESULTS OF UNIVERSIDAD CATÓLICA?
- Stats initially sourced from @JeanPaul_UC
Attribution: Goal