Bernardo Araya

Bernardo Jesús Araya Ponce (born 5 June 1993) is a Chilean futsal player who plays as a defender for Brazilian side AFSU Umuarama. Besides Chile, he has played in Argentine, France and Brazil.

Career
As a youth footballer, Araya was with both Colo-Colo and Universidad de Chile at under-17 and under-18 level, respectively. Next he spent a season with Deportes Tocopilla.

In 2013 he switched to futsal after a trial to join Chile national futsal team alongside his best friend. Having played for both Palestino and Deportes Concepción in his homeland, in 2018 he moved to Argentine side Newell's Old Boys.

As a member of Newell's Old Boys, he got three consecutive promotions and played at all categories of the Argentine futsal.

In 2021, he moved to French side Nantes Métropole Futsal, becoming the first Chilean to play in Europe.

Due to a serious knee injury, he returned to Argentina in 2022 and joined San Lorenzo de Almagro (futsal), winning the league title and the Copa Argentina.

In 2023, he joined Brazilian club Yeesco Sercesa in the Liga Gaúcha, becoming the first Chilean to play in the Brazilian futsal and winning the Série Ouro of the Federação Gaúcha. The next season, he switched to AFSU Umuarama.

International career
Araya has taken part of the Chile national futsal team since under-23 level, becoming the team captain at senior level.

Personal life
Araya is the younger brother of Karen Araya, a Chilean professional footballer.

Honours
Yeesco Sercesa
 * Copa dos Campeões: 2023
 * Taça Farroupilha: 2023
 * Série Ouro - Federação Gaúcha: 2023