Rodolfo Zelaya facts for kids
Zelaya training with Alianza in 2014
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Rodolfo Antonio Zelaya García | ||
| Date of birth | 3 July 1988 | ||
| Place of birth | Usulután, El Salvador | ||
| Height | 1.74 m (5 ft 9 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Second striker | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2001 | CD Alacrán | ||
| 2004 | San Rafael | ||
| 2004–2005 | Atlético La Merced | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2005–2007 | Intipucá | 31 | (19) |
| 2008 | Chalatenango | 17 | (8) |
| 2008–2009 | Alianza | 29 | (18) |
| 2009–2010 | León | 10 | (1) |
| 2010–2018 | Alianza | 227 | (112) |
| 2011 | → Alania Vladikavkaz (loan) | 13 | (3) |
| 2013 | → Alania Vladikavkaz (loan) | 3 | (0) |
| 2019 | Los Angeles FC | 4 | (1) |
| 2019 | → Las Vegas Lights (loan) | 2 | (0) |
| 2020 | Celaya | 6 | (2) |
| 2020–2025 | Alianza | 158 | (64) |
| Total | 500 | (228) | |
| International career | |||
| 2008–2019 | El Salvador | 52 | (23) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Rodolfo Antonio Zelaya García (born 3 July 1988), often called Fito Zelaya or Fito, is a former professional footballer from El Salvador. He played as a second striker, which is a forward player who plays just behind the main striker. In October 2013, Zelaya was suspended from playing football for one year because he was involved in breaking rules about how games should be played with the El Salvador national team.
Playing for Clubs
Early Career in El Salvador
Zelaya began his football journey in 2004 with San Rafael, playing there for one year. After that, he moved to Atlético La Merced.
In July 2006, Zelaya and another player, Rúsvel Saravia, had a chance to join Águila, one of El Salvador's biggest clubs. However, they couldn't agree on their salaries, so the deal didn't happen.
Playing for Intipucá
Zelaya then joined Intipucá, a team in the Second Division of El Salvador. He played with them for two years. His skills caught the eye of Chalatenango coach Vladan Vićević.
Time with Chalatenango
After meeting with Coach Vićević, Zelaya signed a contract to play for Chalatenango. This was his first time playing for a club in the Primera División, which is the top football league in El Salvador.
Zelaya played very well in his first season. Fans and reporters saw him as one of El Salvador's most promising young strikers. Chalatenango finished fifth in the league, and Zelaya scored 8 goals during the Clausura 2008 tournament.
Joining Alianza F.C.
In 2008, Zelaya moved to Alianza. This happened after Lisandro Pohl, who used to be the president of Chalatenango, switched to Alianza. Pohl brought several players with him, including Zelaya.
Playing in Mexico
On 15 June 2009, Zelaya was one of three Salvadoran footballers who joined the Mexican club León on a loan. A loan means a player plays for another team for a set time. Later, in December 2009, León permanently signed Zelaya with a three-year contract.
However, on 12 December 2009, it was announced that Zelaya would return to Alianza on another loan. He later played for Alianza without a loan deal. In the Clausura 2011 tournament, he was the top goal scorer with 13 goals. He also helped his team win the tournament by scoring 2 goals in the final match.
Playing in Russia
On 19 July 2011, Zelaya signed a six-month loan deal with Alania Vladikavkaz, a club in the Russian First Division. He made his debut in the Russian league on 9 August 2011. On 4 November, he scored two goals but also got a knee injury that kept him from playing for seven months.
In the summer of 2012, Alania decided not to keep him, and he went back to Alianza. On 26 January 2013, he rejoined Alania Vladikavkaz on another six-month loan. This time, the team had been promoted to the Russian Premier League, which is the top league in Russia. He returned to Alianza in June after his contract ended.
Back to Alianza
In June 2014, Zelaya signed with Alianza again. In December 2018, he scored four goals in a 7–0 win against Chalatenango. This helped Alianza reach the semi-finals of the Apertura 2018 tournament.
Playing in the United States
On 30 January 2019, Zelaya joined Los Angeles FC, a team in Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States. In January 2020, the club and Zelaya decided to part ways.
Loan to Las Vegas Lights
While with Los Angeles FC, Zelaya was loaned to Las Vegas Lights FC on 15 August 2019. This team plays in the USL Championship.
Retirement from Football
On January 24, 2025, Rodolfo Zelaya announced his retirement from professional football. He left Alianza as their all-time leading goal scorer, with 176 goals in 385 games. He also holds the club record for most goals in a final series (32 goals) and the most individual goal-scoring titles (5). During his time with Alianza, he helped the club win 8 titles.
Playing for El Salvador
First Appearances and Goals
Zelaya played his first official match for the El Salvador national team on 23 April 2008, in a friendly game against China.
He scored his first goal for the national team on 6 September 2008, during a 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Haiti. In that same game, he scored his first hat-trick (three goals in one game), helping El Salvador win 5–0.
Gold Cup Success
At the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup, Zelaya was named the best player in matches against Cuba and Panama. He scored 4 goals in the tournament, making him the second-highest goal scorer overall.
Experts at Goal.com even named Zelaya as one of the Best XI players of the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup. CONCACAF also said that one of his goals was the fifth best goal of the tournament.
In 2012, the IFFHS (International Federation of Football History & Statistics) recognized Rodolfo Zelaya as one of the most skilled and popular Central American players.
After being out for almost a year due to injury, Zelaya was chosen to play for El Salvador in the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup. He scored all four goals for his team in that tournament, helping them reach the Quarter-finals. He was also named one of the best players of the tournament.
He scored two goals against Trinidad & Tobago, one against Haiti, and one against the United States. Many people said that Zelaya was the only player who made a big difference on the field because of his amazing dribbling skills and ability to score.
Suspension from International Play
In September 2013, Zelaya was suspended from international football for one year. This was due to his involvement in breaking rules about how games should be played with the El Salvador national football team. This suspension was later made worldwide in October of the same year.
Career Achievements
- Alianza
- Primera División Winner (4): Clausura 2011, Apertura 2015, Apertura 2017, Clausura 2018
Individual Awards
- Alania Vladikavkaz Player of the Year – 2011
- Univision Goal of the Year – 2011
- CONCACAF Gold Cup Best XI – 2011, 2013
See also
In Spanish: Rodolfo Zelaya para niños
