Mauricio Saucedo

Mauricio Saucedo Guardia (born August 14, 1985, in Santa Cruz de la Sierra) is a retired Bolivian football midfielder. He was also a member of the Bolivia national team.

Club career
Saucedo developed his skills at Tahuichi Academy. In 2003, at age 18 he reached professional football when he signed for Bolívar, although he made his official debut in the Bolivian league with Iberoamericana later that year. In 2004, he joined La Paz F.C. but his appearances were sporadic, mainly coming off the bench.

The following year he transferred to San José, and his career finally began to sprout. In short time, Saucedo became one of the most valuable young prospects in the country and helped the club in obtaining the 2007 Clausura title.

In January 2009, he was signed by Universitario de Sucre along with other important players to fortify the squad before facing Copa Libertadores.

In February 2010, he travelled to Ukraine and signed for first division club FC Chornomorets Odesa. By August of that year, Saucedo returned to Bolivia and joined hometown club Oriente Petrolero. During his spell at the club he won the 2010 Clausura.

In July 2011, he was signed by Portuguese club Vitória S.C. After making only one appearance since the beginning of the season, he criticized manager Rui Vitória for not giving him enough playing time which led to the club releasing the player on the December 16, 2011.

He was signed by Brazilian club Bragantino on January 5, 2012. Following an unsuccessful stint Saucedo found himself signing for The Strongest in May of that year. After a season with the atigrados, Saucedo moved to Universitario de Sucre for the second time in his career and helped the club obtain the 2014 Clausura. On June 18, 2015, Saucedo returned to Oriente Petrolero with the illusion of winning another championship for the refineros.

Retirement and later career
In January 2020, Saucedo signed for Real Santa Cruz. However, an injury forced him to retire from football.

In May 2021, Saucedo switched from football to politics when he was appointed Minister of Sports of the municipality of Santa Cruz de la Sierra.