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| Luis Tejada | |
|---|---|
| Name | Luis Tejada |
| Fullname | Luis Enrique Tejada del Río |
| Birth date | 28 September 1982 |
| Birth place | Panama City, Panama |
| Height | 1.83 m |
| Position | Forward |
| Youthclubs | Atlético Nacional (Panama) |
| Seniorclubs | Plaza Amador; Tauro; Nacional; Once Caldas; Sporting Cristal; Club León; Sporting Cristal; Universitario; América de Cali; Deportivo Cali; Millonarios; Deportivo Pasto; Alianza Lima; Municipal; Unión Comercio; San Francisco; Atlético Bucaramanga; Atlético Nacional (Panama); The Strongest; etc. |
| Nationalteam | Panama |
| Nationalcaps | 122 |
| Nationalgoals | 43 |
Luis Tejada is a Panamanian professional footballer who played as a forward and became one of Panama's most prolific scorers at club and international level. Known for his instinctive finishing, aerial ability, and longevity, he built a career spanning top clubs across Panama, Colombia, Peru, Mexico, Bolivia, and Guatemala. Tejada played a central role in Panama's rise in CONCACAF, featuring in multiple CONCACAF Gold Cups and Panama's first FIFA World Cup appearance.
Tejada was born in Panama City and developed in Panamanian youth setups associated with clubs like Atlético Nacional (Panama), coming through local academies and school competitions. As a youth he was scouted in Panama City tournaments and moved into the senior structures of prominent Panamanian clubs such as Plaza Amador and Tauro F.C.. Early exposures included matches against visiting foreign youth teams and domestic rivals like San Francisco F.C. and Chorrillo F.C., which accelerated interest from Colombian and Peruvian scouts.
Tejada's professional breakthrough came after spells in Panama and a move to Once Caldas in Colombia, where performances attracted attention across South America. He signed for Sporting Cristal in Peru and became a key figure in the Peruvian Primera División, competing against rivals Universitario de Deportes and Alianza Lima. His goalscoring record led to a loan and transfer circuit that included Club León in Mexico and multiple returns to Sporting Cristal and América de Cali in Colombia. Tejada also featured for Deportivo Cali, Millonarios F.C., and Deportivo Pasto, where he faced continental opponents such as Boca Juniors, River Plate, Atlético Nacional (Colombia), and Sao Paulo FC in regional competitions.
Later career moves saw Tejada join Club The Strongest in Bolivia, C.S.D. Municipal in Guatemala, and other Peruvian teams like Unión Comercio, appearing in the Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana campaigns. Throughout his club career he played in the Categoría Primera A, Liga MX, Peruvian Primera División, and Bolivian Primera División, earning top scorer accolades and playing alongside notable teammates who had links to clubs such as Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Manchester United, and AC Milan through regional transfer networks.
Tejada made his debut for the Panama national football team and amassed over 100 caps, becoming one of Panama's all-time leading scorers. He represented Panama in multiple editions of the CONCACAF Gold Cup and contributed in World Cup qualifying campaigns for FIFA World Cup tournaments, including Panama's historic qualification for the 2018 tournament in Russia. Tejada scored crucial goals in CONCACAF Nations League and World Cup qualifiers facing national teams such as Mexico national football team, United States men's national soccer team, Costa Rica national football team, Honduras national football team, and Jamaica national football team. He also played in friendlies versus teams like Brazil national football team and Argentina national football team.
Tejada was regarded as a classic centre-forward with strengths in penalty-area movement, aerial duels, and direct finishing. Observers compared aspects of his game to traditional strikers who starred in La Liga, Serie A, and Premier League, noting his effectiveness in systems used by coaches from clubs such as Once Caldas, Sporting Cristal, Millonarios F.C., and América de Cali. Analysts and commentators from CONCACAF, CONMEBOL, and South American sports media outlets highlighted his work-rate, positional sense, and leadership, while opponents from teams like Alianza Lima and Universitario de Deportes emphasized his physical presence. Critics pointed to periods of inconsistency, injuries, and adaptation challenges during moves to Liga MX and higher-paced continental competition.
Off the pitch, Tejada has been involved in community and youth initiatives in Panama City and has maintained links with former clubs such as Plaza Amador and Tauro F.C.. His family life and personal foundations attracted attention from Panamanian media and sports institutions like the Panama Football Federation and local civic organizations. Tejada's public profile brought endorsements and appearances connected to sporting brands and regional broadcasters that cover tournaments like the CONCACAF Gold Cup and Copa Libertadores.
Club - Appearances and goals across Panama, Colombia, Peru, Mexico, Bolivia, and Guatemala competitions including domestic leagues Peruvian Primera División, Liga MX, Categoría Primera A, and international cups Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana.
International - Over 100 caps and 40+ goals for the Panama national football team, featuring in tournaments such as the CONCACAF Gold Cup and World Cup qualifying matches for FIFA World Cup editions.
- Domestic league titles and top scorer awards in leagues including the Peruvian Primera División and recognition in Categoría Primera A seasonal statistics. - Key contributor to Panama's competitive campaigns in CONCACAF Gold Cup and World Cup qualifying phases. - Personal milestones: 100+ international caps, 40+ international goals, and multiple club-level scoring titles and team championships across South American and Central American competitions.
Category:1982 births Category:Living people Category:Panamanian footballers Category:Panama international footballers Category:Association football forwards