FRANCE 98 – Marcelo SALAS (11) the mainstay in CHILE's (Group B) match against BRAZIL on 27 June in PARIS

Marcelo SALAS (11) will be the mainstay for CHILE (Group B) in their second-round match against BRAZIL on 27 June in PARIS. Spearheading the South American attack with his partner, Ivan ZAMARANO (9), SALAS has been one of the most exciting players so far in this World Cup. Scorer of three vitally important goals (two against ITALY and one against AUSTRIA) he has proved that he can be dangerous at any moment, even if some critics believe he doesn’t work hard enough during games.

But if we are beginning to get to know Marcelo SALAS as a player, we barely know SALAS the man. Very little information on his behaviour within the Chilean team is forthcoming. Manuel NEIRA (21), the fourth striker in the squad, speaks of SALAS with admiration and respect. “He and I are great friends. We sit next to one another on the team bus. I am very proud to be playing with him. His skill and competitiveness on the pitch have made him one of the best players in the world.” Miguel RAMIREZ (14) sees SALAS as “a very good colleague”. The Chilean defender admits however, “it’s true that he has a very strong character, which is certainly essential to get to such a high level. Saying that, from the moment he becomes your friend, he’ll always support you on the pitch.”

On the field, the man has his vanities. He’s constantly adjusting his hair when it flops over the cord he uses for a headband. He fiddles with the ‘short’ shorts he wears for each training session along with his tee shirt with rolled-up sleeves. During training, the Chilean striker has also been becoming more and more focused. Two days after the last match, a draw against AUSTRIA (1-1 on Wednesday 17 June in SAINT-ETIENNE), Marcelo SALAS (11) was present for a press conference, given in very relaxed mood, with the team coach Nelson ACOSTA and fellow striker Ivan ZAMORANO (9). However, he left straight afterwards and refused to answer questions from insistent journalists – his way of maintaining a distance between himself and the press and remaining discreet about his personal life.

In their second-round match against BRAZIL (Group A), Marcelo SALAS (11) will once more partner Ivan ZAMARANO (9) up front. Despite the great things that have been written about the complementary partnership and intimacy between the two players on the field, it should equally be remembered that against AUSTRIA this goal-hunter ran up to the referee to ask who would be credited with the Chilean goal, a goal firstly credited to ZAMORANO but later awarded to SALAS by FIFA. A trait which casts an odd light on a decidedly mysterious character.