Guillermo Barros Schelotto
Encyclopedia
Guillermo Barros Schelotto (born 4 May 1973) is a former Argentine
football forward.
Barros Schelotto, nicknamed "Guille" or "Melli" (short for "mellizo", Spanish word for "twin
"), played 16 years of his professional career in the Argentine Primera División (6 with Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata and 10 with Boca Juniors
). With these two teams, he won a total 17 official titles (one with Gimnasia and 16 with Boca).
In 2007, Barros Schelotto left Boca Juniors for Columbus Crew
in the Major League Soccer
, therefore having his first experience outside his native country. The forward won another 3 titles in the United States
' team, as well as two individual awards.
Barros Schelotto is planning his return to Columbus, Ohio to begin work with his new soccer academy. The Schelotto and Padula Soccer Academy is a partnership with former Columbus Crew teammate and fellow Argentinian Gino Padula
.
, Schelotto was hence nicknamed El Mellizo ("the twin"). He started playing professionally at the end of 1991 with his hometown team Gimnasia y Esgrima de La Plata, where he scored 45 goals in 181 matches in five seasons and in 1993 won the AFA Centenario Cup
. On 14 September 1997 he transferred to Primera División Argentina
powerhouse Boca Juniors
, for whom he played for almost 10 years. He was considered an idol by Boca fans and in his later years at the club showed his experience whenever he stepped on the pitch. Barros Schelotto remains one of Boca's top scorers in international matches with 25 goals, just one goal behind former teammate Martín Palermo
.
In 1996, he was offered to play for River Plate
, but after club icon Enzo Francescoli
was not happy with the potential signing, the deal collapsed. In mid-1997, Boca Juniors showed interest for him and his brother Gustavo
. It was like that that Barros Schelotto twins arrived to Boca teaming up to a former rival: Martín Palermo
, Gimnasia's archrival Estudiantes de La Plata
former player. The three of them were repeatedly recommended to Boca by Diego Maradona
, who was playing his last season for the Buenos Aires team, retiring on October the same year. Once in Boca, he made his debut as a substitute for Claudio Caniggia
, scoring on 14 September 1997 against Newell's Old Boys in a 2-1 victory.
With Carlos Bianchi
as Boca Juniors' coach, Guillermo got his traditional 7 shirt and kept it until 2006–07 season. He and former rival Martin Palermo became a successful attacking duo, who highly contributed in the 1998–99 title-winning season. He missed the 2001 and 2003 clubs international achievements due to injuries. In 2003 he was a key piece in the winning Copa Libertadores side, with his peak performance at the Round of 16 match against Brazilian team Paysandú, where he scored a hat-trick and assisted Marcelo Delgado
's goal. In the second half of 2003 he again suffered from injuires and could only play for 46 minutes in the Copa Intercontinental winning match against AC Milan, when he replaced Carlos Tévez
. With Alfio Basile
as Boca coach, his participation in the first team was gradually lowering. He even was out of some first team matches and had to play for the second team to maintain his performance level. He scored 87 goals in 302 games for Boca Juniors.
's Columbus Crew
.
Barros Schelotto made his debut in the United States on 5 May, as a 75th-minute replacement, as the Crew lost the match against Kansas City Wizards
1-0. On 12 May 2007 he made his home debut in a game against Chivas USA. The game was tied 1-1, and Schelotto had the assist for the Crew goal. Barros Schelotto quickly became a team leader and fan favorite in Columbus, helping to turn their season around. In the 2007 season he led the team with 11 assists, also adding 5 goals, in 22 games.
Barros Schelotto had a strong MLS season in 2008
, being chosen Player of the week four times, Player of the month once, and recording 19 assists and 7 goals during the regular season. He was awarded the Major League Soccer MVP on 20 November 2008. Barros Schelotto capped off his 2008 MLS campaign with an MVP performance in the 2008 MLS Cup which Columbus won 3-1 against New York Red Bulls at the Home Depot Center on 23 November 2008, behind Barros Schelotto's 3 assists. For his performance in the 2008 MLS season, Barros Schelotto was named Sports Illustrated
Latino's Sportsman of the Year He became the Crew's first ever Designated Player on 2 December 2008.
On 16 November 2010, Barros Schelotto's option was not picked up by the team, along with several other veterans of the club, effectively ending his career in Columbus. Barros Schelotto elected to participate in the 2010 MLS Re-Entry Draft
and became a free agent in Major League Soccer
when he was not selected in the Re-Entry draft.
, and won the gold medal
in the under-23 Panamerican Games.
brother, Gustavo
, was a teammate of his at Gimnasia, and also, briefly, at Boca Juniors
. Barros Schelotto and his wife, Matilde, have three young sons, Máximo, Nicolás and Santiago.
In May 2006 his biography, "Guillermo, el terrible. Historia de un ídolo" ("Guillermo the menace. History of an idol") was published; it was written by Pablo Vicente and Sergio Maffei with a prologue by César Luis Menotti
, and it also included comments from figures such as Carlos Bianchi
, Carlos Griguol, Diego Maradona
, Oscar Tabárez
and Daniel Passarella
.
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
football forward.
Barros Schelotto, nicknamed "Guille" or "Melli" (short for "mellizo", Spanish word for "twin
Twin
A twin is one of two offspring produced in the same pregnancy. Twins can either be monozygotic , meaning that they develop from one zygote that splits and forms two embryos, or dizygotic because they develop from two separate eggs that are fertilized by two separate sperm.In contrast, a fetus...
"), played 16 years of his professional career in the Argentine Primera División (6 with Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata and 10 with Boca Juniors
Boca Juniors
Club Atlético Boca Juniors is an Argentine sports club based in La Boca neighborhood of Buenos Aires. It is best known for its professional football team, which currently plays in the Primera División....
). With these two teams, he won a total 17 official titles (one with Gimnasia and 16 with Boca).
In 2007, Barros Schelotto left Boca Juniors for Columbus Crew
Columbus Crew
The Columbus Crew is an American professional soccer club based in Columbus, Ohio which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada...
in the Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
, therefore having his first experience outside his native country. The forward won another 3 titles in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
' team, as well as two individual awards.
Barros Schelotto is planning his return to Columbus, Ohio to begin work with his new soccer academy. The Schelotto and Padula Soccer Academy is a partnership with former Columbus Crew teammate and fellow Argentinian Gino Padula
Gino Padula
Gino Padula is an Argentine footballer.-Career:Padula started his career with Argentine club River Plate in 1996 before moving to Huracán in 1997. In 1998 he moved to Europe to play for Xerez in Spain. His move to Europe was facilitated by the fact that he is the holder of an Italian passport...
.
Argentina
Born with a twin brother, GustavoGustavo Barros Schelotto
Gustavo Barros Schelotto is a former Argentine footballer who played as a midfielder. He is the twin brother of Guillermo Barros Schelotto.-Playing career:...
, Schelotto was hence nicknamed El Mellizo ("the twin"). He started playing professionally at the end of 1991 with his hometown team Gimnasia y Esgrima de La Plata, where he scored 45 goals in 181 matches in five seasons and in 1993 won the AFA Centenario Cup
Copa Centenario de la AFA
The Copa Centenario was an official tournament among Argentina's First Division Football clubs, organized by AFA in 1993/1994 in order to celebrate its 100th anniversary...
. On 14 September 1997 he transferred to Primera División Argentina
Primera División Argentina
The Primera División is a professional football league in Argentina. It is the country's premier football division and is at the top of the Argentine football league system. Contested by twenty clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the Primera B Nacional. The season runs...
powerhouse Boca Juniors
Boca Juniors
Club Atlético Boca Juniors is an Argentine sports club based in La Boca neighborhood of Buenos Aires. It is best known for its professional football team, which currently plays in the Primera División....
, for whom he played for almost 10 years. He was considered an idol by Boca fans and in his later years at the club showed his experience whenever he stepped on the pitch. Barros Schelotto remains one of Boca's top scorers in international matches with 25 goals, just one goal behind former teammate Martín Palermo
Martín Palermo
Martín Palermo is a retired Argentine footballer who formerly played for Boca Juniors of Argentina, and the Argentina national team...
.
In 1996, he was offered to play for River Plate
Club Atlético River Plate
Club Atlético River Plate is an Argentine sports club based in the Nuñez neighborhood of Buenos Aires. It is best known for its professional football team, which currently competes in Nacional B, the second tier of Argentine football....
, but after club icon Enzo Francescoli
Enzo Francescoli
Enzo Francescoli Uriarte is a former uruguayan football player of Italian and Spanish origin, who retired in 1997. An elegant and highly skillful dribbler, passer, and goal-scorer, Francescoli was nicknamed El Príncipe or Le Prince...
was not happy with the potential signing, the deal collapsed. In mid-1997, Boca Juniors showed interest for him and his brother Gustavo
Gustavo Barros Schelotto
Gustavo Barros Schelotto is a former Argentine footballer who played as a midfielder. He is the twin brother of Guillermo Barros Schelotto.-Playing career:...
. It was like that that Barros Schelotto twins arrived to Boca teaming up to a former rival: Martín Palermo
Martín Palermo
Martín Palermo is a retired Argentine footballer who formerly played for Boca Juniors of Argentina, and the Argentina national team...
, Gimnasia's archrival Estudiantes de La Plata
Estudiantes de La Plata
Club Estudiantes de La Plata , simply referred to as Estudiantes, is an Argentine professional sports club based in La Plata. The club's football team currently competes in the Primera División, where it has spent most of its history....
former player. The three of them were repeatedly recommended to Boca by Diego Maradona
Diego Maradona
Diego Armando Maradona is a retired Argentine football player and widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time. Over the course of his professional club career Maradona played for Argentinos Juniors, Boca Juniors, Barcelona, Napoli, Sevilla and Newell's Old Boys, setting...
, who was playing his last season for the Buenos Aires team, retiring on October the same year. Once in Boca, he made his debut as a substitute for Claudio Caniggia
Claudio Caniggia
Claudio Paul Caniggia is a former Argentine football forward, who played 50 times for the Argentine national team. He appeared in three World Cups, and was a member of both rival clubs River Plate and Boca Juniors. Caniggia was known for his speed as a player and competed in Athletics before his...
, scoring on 14 September 1997 against Newell's Old Boys in a 2-1 victory.
With Carlos Bianchi
Carlos Bianchi
Carlos Arcecio Bianchi , popularly known as El Virrey , is a prolific Argentine football forward turned manager...
as Boca Juniors' coach, Guillermo got his traditional 7 shirt and kept it until 2006–07 season. He and former rival Martin Palermo became a successful attacking duo, who highly contributed in the 1998–99 title-winning season. He missed the 2001 and 2003 clubs international achievements due to injuries. In 2003 he was a key piece in the winning Copa Libertadores side, with his peak performance at the Round of 16 match against Brazilian team Paysandú, where he scored a hat-trick and assisted Marcelo Delgado
Marcelo Delgado
Marcelo Alejandro Delgado is an Argentine footballer. He usually plays as a deep-lying forward, and is currently in Defensores de Villa Cassini, Argentina. He is regarded as one of the best Argentinian forwards in the past decade...
's goal. In the second half of 2003 he again suffered from injuires and could only play for 46 minutes in the Copa Intercontinental winning match against AC Milan, when he replaced Carlos Tévez
Carlos Tévez
Carlos Alberto Tévez is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward for English club Manchester City...
. With Alfio Basile
Alfio Basile
Alfio Basile , known as Coco, is an Argentine football coach and former player.-Playing career:Basile started his playing career at the Bella Vista club in his home city. From 1964 to 1970 he played for Racing Club, and then for Huracán, where he was a mainstay of the 1973 Metropolitano champions...
as Boca coach, his participation in the first team was gradually lowering. He even was out of some first team matches and had to play for the second team to maintain his performance level. He scored 87 goals in 302 games for Boca Juniors.
United States
Close to the end of his contract with Boca in 2007, it was rumored that he would leave the club to join a team where he would get more playing time. On 19 April 2007 he announced he would sign a two-year contract with Major League SoccerMajor League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
's Columbus Crew
Columbus Crew
The Columbus Crew is an American professional soccer club based in Columbus, Ohio which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada...
.
Barros Schelotto made his debut in the United States on 5 May, as a 75th-minute replacement, as the Crew lost the match against Kansas City Wizards
Kansas City Wizards
Sporting Kansas City is an American professional soccer club based in Kansas City, Kansas that competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States of America and Canada...
1-0. On 12 May 2007 he made his home debut in a game against Chivas USA. The game was tied 1-1, and Schelotto had the assist for the Crew goal. Barros Schelotto quickly became a team leader and fan favorite in Columbus, helping to turn their season around. In the 2007 season he led the team with 11 assists, also adding 5 goals, in 22 games.
Barros Schelotto had a strong MLS season in 2008
2008 Major League Soccer season
The 2008 Major League Soccer season was the 13th season in league history. The season began on March 29 and ended with MLS Cup 2008, on November 23 at The Home Depot Center in Carson, California.-Changes from the 2007 season:...
, being chosen Player of the week four times, Player of the month once, and recording 19 assists and 7 goals during the regular season. He was awarded the Major League Soccer MVP on 20 November 2008. Barros Schelotto capped off his 2008 MLS campaign with an MVP performance in the 2008 MLS Cup which Columbus won 3-1 against New York Red Bulls at the Home Depot Center on 23 November 2008, behind Barros Schelotto's 3 assists. For his performance in the 2008 MLS season, Barros Schelotto was named Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated is an American sports media company owned by media conglomerate Time Warner. Its self titled magazine has over 3.5 million subscribers and is read by 23 million adults each week, including over 18 million men. It was the first magazine with circulation over one million to win the...
Latino's Sportsman of the Year He became the Crew's first ever Designated Player on 2 December 2008.
On 16 November 2010, Barros Schelotto's option was not picked up by the team, along with several other veterans of the club, effectively ending his career in Columbus. Barros Schelotto elected to participate in the 2010 MLS Re-Entry Draft
2010 MLS Re-Entry Draft
The two-stage 2010 MLS Re-Entry Draft took place on December 8, 2010 and December 15, 2010. The Stage 1 Draft of the Re-Entry Process took place on Wednesday, December 8, at 2 p.m. ET via teleconference. The Stage 2 Draft took place on Wednesday, December 15, at 2 p.m. ET...
and became a free agent in Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
when he was not selected in the Re-Entry draft.
International
Barros Schelotto has ten caps for the Argentina national football teamArgentina national football team
The Argentina national football team represents Argentina in association football and is controlled by the Argentine Football Association , the governing body for football in Argentina. Argentina's home stadium is Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti and their head coach is Alejandro...
, and won the gold medal
Gold medal
A gold medal is typically the medal awarded for highest achievement in a non-military field. Its name derives from the use of at least a fraction of gold in form of plating or alloying in its manufacture...
in the under-23 Panamerican Games.
Boca Juniors
- Copa Libertadores (4): 2000Copa Libertadores 2000The 2000 edition of the Copa Libertadores was the 41st in the tournament's history. It was held between February 15 and June 21. Thirty-two teams participated in this event.-Group 1:-Group 2:-Group 3:-Group 4:-Group 5:-Group 6:...
, 2001Copa Libertadores 2001The 2001 Copa Libertadores de América was the 42nd edition of CONMEBOL's premier club football tournament. The winner was Boca Juniors, lifting its fourth Copa Libertadores trophy.-First round:...
, 2003Copa Libertadores 2003The 2003 Copa Libertadores de América was the 44th edition of the Copa Libertadores, CONMEBOL's premier annual international club tournament....
, 2007Copa Libertadores 2007The 2007 Copa Libertadores de América was the 48th edition of the Copa Libertadores. It started on January 24, 2007 and finished on June 20, 2007... - Copa SudamericanaCopa SudamericanaThe Copa Bridgestone Sudamericana de Clubes , known simply as the Copa Sudamericana , is an annual international club football competition organized by the CONMEBOL since 2002. It is the second most prestigious club competition in South American football. CONCACAF clubs were invited between 2004...
(2): 2004, 2005Copa Sudamericana 2005The 2005 Copa Nissan Sudamericana de Clubes was international football cup competition played annually by clubs of CONMEBOL and, starting with this edition, invited teams from CONCACAF... - Recopa SudamericanaRecopa SudamericanaThe Recopa Sudamericana is an annual football match-up between the reigning champions of the previous year's Copa Libertadores and the Copa Sudamericana, South America's premier club competitions....
(2): 2005Recopa Sudamericana 2005The 2005 Recopa Sudamericana was the 13th Recopa Sudamericana, an annual football match between the winners of the previous season's Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana competitions...
, 2006Recopa Sudamericana 2006The 2006 Recopa Sudamericana was the 14th Recopa Sudamericana, an annual football match between the winners of the previous season's Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana competitions.The match was contested by São Paulo, winners of the 2005 Copa Libertadores, and defending champions Boca... - Primera División ArgentinaPrimera División ArgentinaThe Primera División is a professional football league in Argentina. It is the country's premier football division and is at the top of the Argentine football league system. Contested by twenty clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the Primera B Nacional. The season runs...
(6): Apertura 1998, Clausura 1999, Apertura 2000, Apertura 2003, Apertura 2005, Clausura 2006 - Intercontinental CupIntercontinental Cup (football)The European/South American Cup, commonly referred to as the World Club Championship, Intercontinental Cup or Toyota Cup, was a football competition endorsed by UEFA and CONMEBOL, contested between the winners of the European Cup and the South American Copa Libertadores...
(2): 2000, 2003
Columbus Crew
- Major League SoccerMajor League SoccerMajor League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
MLS Cup (1): 20082008 Major League Soccer seasonThe 2008 Major League Soccer season was the 13th season in league history. The season began on March 29 and ended with MLS Cup 2008, on November 23 at The Home Depot Center in Carson, California.-Changes from the 2007 season:... - Major League SoccerMajor League SoccerMajor League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
Supporters Shield (2): 20082008 Major League Soccer seasonThe 2008 Major League Soccer season was the 13th season in league history. The season began on March 29 and ended with MLS Cup 2008, on November 23 at The Home Depot Center in Carson, California.-Changes from the 2007 season:...
, 20092009 Major League Soccer seasonThe 2009 Major League Soccer season was the 14th season of Major League Soccer. The season began on March 19 and ended with Real Salt Lake winning the MLS Cup 2009, on November 22 at Qwest Field in Seattle, Washington-Changes from the 2008 season:... - Major League SoccerMajor League SoccerMajor League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
Eastern Conference Playoffs (1): 20082008 Major League Soccer seasonThe 2008 Major League Soccer season was the 13th season in league history. The season began on March 29 and ended with MLS Cup 2008, on November 23 at The Home Depot Center in Carson, California.-Changes from the 2007 season:... - Major League SoccerMajor League SoccerMajor League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
Eastern Conference Season (2): 20082008 Major League Soccer seasonThe 2008 Major League Soccer season was the 13th season in league history. The season began on March 29 and ended with MLS Cup 2008, on November 23 at The Home Depot Center in Carson, California.-Changes from the 2007 season:...
, 20092009 Major League Soccer seasonThe 2009 Major League Soccer season was the 14th season of Major League Soccer. The season began on March 19 and ended with Real Salt Lake winning the MLS Cup 2009, on November 22 at Qwest Field in Seattle, Washington-Changes from the 2008 season:...
Individual
- Major League Soccer MVPMajor League Soccer MVP AwardThe Major League Soccer MVP is a soccer award for players in Major League Soccer. The award is given to the player deemed the most valuable player in the league each season. From 1996 to 2007 the award was sponsored by Honda. The award is now sponsored by Volkswagen.Preki is the only player to win...
: 2008 - MLS Best XIMLS Best XIThe MLS Best XI is an acknowledgement of the best eleven players in the league in a given season for Major League Soccer in Canada and the United States.-Winners:*Players in bold text also won the Major League Soccer MVP Award award for that season....
: 2007, 2008 - MLS CupMLS CupThe MLS Cup is the championship match of Major League Soccer, the highest tier of professional soccer in the United States and Canada. As the final match of the MLS Cup playoffs, the winner is crowned the season champion in the same manner as other North American sports leagues...
MVP: 2008
Personal
His twinTwin
A twin is one of two offspring produced in the same pregnancy. Twins can either be monozygotic , meaning that they develop from one zygote that splits and forms two embryos, or dizygotic because they develop from two separate eggs that are fertilized by two separate sperm.In contrast, a fetus...
brother, Gustavo
Gustavo Barros Schelotto
Gustavo Barros Schelotto is a former Argentine footballer who played as a midfielder. He is the twin brother of Guillermo Barros Schelotto.-Playing career:...
, was a teammate of his at Gimnasia, and also, briefly, at Boca Juniors
Boca Juniors
Club Atlético Boca Juniors is an Argentine sports club based in La Boca neighborhood of Buenos Aires. It is best known for its professional football team, which currently plays in the Primera División....
. Barros Schelotto and his wife, Matilde, have three young sons, Máximo, Nicolás and Santiago.
In May 2006 his biography, "Guillermo, el terrible. Historia de un ídolo" ("Guillermo the menace. History of an idol") was published; it was written by Pablo Vicente and Sergio Maffei with a prologue by César Luis Menotti
César Luis Menotti
César Luis Menotti, known as El Flaco is an Argentine football coach and former player, who as coach, won the 1978 FIFA World Cup for Argentina.-Playing career:...
, and it also included comments from figures such as Carlos Bianchi
Carlos Bianchi
Carlos Arcecio Bianchi , popularly known as El Virrey , is a prolific Argentine football forward turned manager...
, Carlos Griguol, Diego Maradona
Diego Maradona
Diego Armando Maradona is a retired Argentine football player and widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time. Over the course of his professional club career Maradona played for Argentinos Juniors, Boca Juniors, Barcelona, Napoli, Sevilla and Newell's Old Boys, setting...
, Oscar Tabárez
Oscar Tabárez
Óscar Wáshington Tabárez Silva, nicknamed El Maestro is a retired Uruguayan footballer who played as a defender, and the current manager of the Uruguayan national team....
and Daniel Passarella
Daniel Passarella
Daniel Alberto Passarella is a former Argentine football centre back and former manager of the Argentine and Uruguayan national football teams. He was captain of the Argentina team that won the 1978 World Cup...
.