They earned a spot in their squad or their breakthrough brought a major upgrade in transfer benefits. The 11 best are highlighted here.
In a challenging year for Chilean football, marked by the national team’s struggles to reach Qatar 2022 and the clubs competing in Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana, it was the standout players who kept expectations high. Their names sparked pride and gave fans reason to believe in a stronger 2023, as the league faced demanding times for its protagonists and the road to the 2026 World Cup in Canada, the United States, and Mexico began to take shape with a fairly clear plan.
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THE SAGITTARIUS
Colo Colo
Brayan Cortés navigated a season of solid consolidation, overcoming several undefeated hurdles. He helped Colo Colo clinch the Chilean championship, earned a place with the national team, and carried a heavy load after Claudio Bravo’s departure.
THE DEFENDER
Colo Colo
Óscar Opazo and Gabriel Suazo operated at the edges of Colo Colo as fullbacks and key attacking outlets. When one was absent, it was noticeable, yet both brought exceptional form to the fore. Their performances opened doors: Opazo earned a move to Racing as a free agent, while Suazo secured a seamless transition to European football, even without financial windfalls for his club. Yet memories linger of the period that some wished to forget, as a previous injury left its mark, and Suazo’s consistency helped define Colo Colo’s most confident year since 2017, reaching abroad and anchoring Chile’s left flank.
With national team priorities in mind, the defensive backbone also featured Paulo Díaz and Guillermo Maripán in an ideal XI for the qualifiers. Díaz, formed at Palestino, remained a steady presence at River Plate for three seasons, while Memo moved to captain Monaco, his leadership sealing a strong example for the squad. The defense trio sets the stage for the upcoming qualifiers.
THE MIDDLE AREA
The center of the pitch shows no ambiguity. Felipe Méndez, after a transfer to CSKA Moscow, finished the year as a regular starter for Berizzo’s XI, building consistency at both Unión and the Russian club. His versatility to cover multiple roles remains valuable for the national team, and Marcelino Núñez, who shone at Catholic University, logged over 20 appearances for Norwich, after a vigorous first half. His calm smile and simple demeanor belied a steady influence on the league, contributing goals and heavy responsibilities. He even converted a penalty against Birmingham, a moment that underscored his growing impact.
Arturo Vidal, with his wealth of experience, added trophies that marked his late-season arc: a Coppa Italia with Inter, a Copa Libertadores, and a Copa do Brasil on his resume. It was a shift for Inzaghi and also a first for Dorival Júnior at Flamengo, where performance and leadership remained strong. For Chile, Vidal remains a core figure, evolving as both creator and finisher, with no expiry date on his influence.
FRONT SIDES
University of Chile
Darío Osorio helped steady the team as they navigated a decline in form, prompting the club to secure his future on the squad. The young talent drew interest from abroad, though Azul Azul emphasized the club’s longer-term plan and kept him in the fold. Osorio endured the typical ups and downs of youth, racking up 35 appearances and eight goals, including a memorable strike against Colo Colo in a friendly, becoming the team’s heartbeat in a tight relegation battle.
Ben Brereton converted 13 goals in 2022 and established himself as a first-choice forward for Chile and as a scoring engine for Blackburn Rovers, who were fighting to rise in the Premier League. Brereton is a flexible attacker: a center forward who can also operate as a winger or second striker, delivering assists and threading through balls while maintaining a goal threat. The expectation is that he will remain a top-tier presence for years to come.
Alexis Sánchez, the veteran star, would not be missing from any Chilean roster, and his impact would shift the team’s dynamic. Released by Inter but still performing at a high level, he signed for Marseille and instantly underscored his value to the squad, echoing his prime years at Arsenal. His total of 16 goals across competitions this season reinforces his ongoing role with La Roja as a pivotal figure in attack.
The question of who would have been the finest in 2021 remains a topic of debate, but the current lineup honors those who carried Chilean football through growth and challenge.
THE DT
Undoubtedly, Manuel Pellegrini stands out for guiding Real Betis back to continental competition, conquering the Copa del Rey, and competing on multiple fronts. Jaime García deserves recognition in Chile as does Damián Muñoz. Their styles—where relentless work and late-life stamina define success—helped Ñublense and Curicó earn Copa Libertadores spots as runners-up and third-place finishers in the league. From the B side, Nico Núñez’s year was nearly flawless, achieving promotion and lifting the Copa Chile while helping Magallanes grow stronger.
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THE BIG SURPRISE
Quietly, Matías Fernández left Unión La Calera for Independiente del Valle and captured the Copa Sudamericana in a stretch of five finals, followed by the Ecuador Cup. A natural champion, he has won national titles with Wanderers and remains a player whose national team eligibility is still on the horizon as he enters his prime years.
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BELOW, THE IDEAL XI FOR THE CHILEANS IN 2022:
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Source: Goal