Cristóbal Ortega

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Cristóbal Ortega Martínez (born July 25, 1956 in Mexico City, Mexico) is a former football midfielder who played for Club América in the Mexican First Division from 1974 to 1992. A talented player who played in every possible position in the midfield, Ortega is best remembered for anchoring Club América's attack for almost two decades. An integral part of his country's national team as well, Ortega played in the 1978 and 1986 World Cups for Mexico and amassed more than 50 caps in his international career.

[edit] Club career

On October 5, 1974 - Cristóbal Ortega lived every football fan's dream: He debuted for the club he had rooted for since childhood. In that Cup game against Ciudad Madero, then manager José Antonio Roca sent Ortega out for all 90 minutes of the first leg of the series. Soon after, Ortega debuted in the League for América - scoring his first goal in a game against Veracruz on June 8, 1975 - and so began an 18 year career in which he starred in Club América's midfield. Part of a golden generation for the club which included such stars as Carlos Reinoso, Mario Pérez, Enrique Borja, Rafael Puente and others, Ortega won league titles in the 75-76, 83-84, 84-85, Prode 85, 87-88 and 88-89 seasons. Ortega also won three Supercups at América, in 1976, and then two consecutive titles in 1988 and 1989. In international play, Ortega helped América conquer three CONCACAF Cup titles in 1978, 1987 and 1991 as well as an Interamerican Cup in 1991.

In arguably his most memorable game, Ortega proved invaluable to the club's league title in the Prode 85 tournament. In a contest that was otherwise forgetful for América fans, a 4-1 first leg thrashing at the hands of Tampico Madero at Tamaulipas stadium on October 3, 1985. Ortega scored the lone goal for his team that day, a goal that would prove to be vital as América won the second leg at home in Azteca Stadium by a score of 4-0, making the final aggregate score 5-4 in América's favor.

Ortega retired in 1991, in the middle of the 1991-92 season. In his final game for América, on December 15, 1991; Ortega started and was substituted for at the beginning of the second half by Isaac Terrazas, in a contest between Santos Laguna and América at Corona Stadium in Torreón. His last goal came almost four years prior, in a game against fierce rivals Cruz Azul on January 3, 1988.

A great deal of Ortega's success stemmed from his ability to stay healthy. In his stay at the club, Ortega played in 711 games, including a team-record 75 playoff games.

[edit] National Team Career

Aside from the distinguished yellow jersey of Club América, Cristóbal Ortega only wore one other jersey during his career as a footballer, the green Mexican National Team shirt he proudly donned for more than 50 occasions. He was chosen to represent his country at the highest competition: The FIFA World Cups of 1978, held in Argentina, and 1986, held in his home country.

	Mexico squad - 1978 World Cup
1 Reyes | 2 Nájera | 3 Tena | 4 Ramos | 5 Vasquez | 6 Mendizabal | 7 De La Torre | 8 López | 9 Rangel | 10 Ortega | 11 Sánchez | 12 Martínez | 13 Cisneros | 14 Gómez | 15 Flores | 16 Cárdenas | 17 Cuellar | 18 Lugo | 19 Rodríguez | 20 Medina | 21 Isiordia | 22 Soto | Coach: Roca

	Mexico squad - 1986 World Cup Quarter Finalists
1 Larios | 2 Trejo | 3 Quirarte | 4 Ponce | 5 Cruz | 6 De Los Cobos | 7 España | 8 Dominguez | 9 Sánchez | 10 Boy | 11 Hermosillo | 12 Rodriguez | 13 Aguirre | 14 Barbosa | 15 Flores | 16 Muñoz | 17 Servin | 18 Amador | 19 Hernández | 20 Orozco | 21 Ortega | 22 Negrete | Coach: Milutinović