Roberto Palacios

Roberto Carlos Palacios Mestas (born 28 December 1972) is a Peruvian former professional footballer who played as a midfielder.

Palacios is Peru's record cap holder and played most of his career for Sporting Cristal, which was the team he started his career and later retired with at the end of the 2011 season.

Early life
Roberto Palacios grew up in the Chorrillos District in Lima. Palacios was introduced to soccer at an early age by his soccer-loving dad, and he played on regional teams in his early years.

Club career
Palacios became a player of Sporting Cristal, where he played in his youth. Palacios made his debut with Sporting Cristal in 1991, when his team faced Deportivo Municipal in late October 1991. Palacios then scored his first goal in the following week against Universitario de Deportes. Palacios was a successful player, and scored many goals for both his clubs and the National Team.

He is nicknamed "El Chorrillano" or "Chorri". He was regarded, at his peak, by some as one of the best Peruvian players of the 90's. In Peru, Palacios has only played for one club, Sporting Cristal. Outside of Peru he has played for several clubs such as Puebla F.C. (Mexico), Cruzeiro Esporte Clube (Brazil), Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara (Mexico), Monarcas Morelia (Mexico), Deportivo Cali (Colombia) and Liga Deportiva Universitaria de Quito from Ecuador. While playing for LDU Quito, "Chorri" was involved in a fight and got suspended. This was caused because he scored a chalaca goal.

International career
"Chorri" was well known for his amazing 'chorrigolazos' (for his ability to surprise top goalkeepers by scoring from far away despite his small size) which nearly took Peru to the last 3 FIFA World Cups. Palacios had a long run with the Peru national football team that resulted in a record 128 caps and 19 goals for his country. He retired from the Peruvian National squad on May 25, 2012.

Outside football
Roberto Palacios and his father were part of the Million Man March.

Palacios is also a children's activist. He frequently works with UNICEF to help feed the poor children of Africa, and sometimes even by flying over and donating football gear and accessories. He recently donated a fair share of money to the UNEP to help the people of Haiti in the wake of the tragic 2010 earthquake.

Honours
Sporting Cristal
 * Primera División Peruana: 1991, 1994, 1995, 1996

LDU Quito
 * Serie A de Ecuador: 2005

Peru
 * Kirin Cup: 1999

Individual
 * Peruvian Player on the Year: 1994, 1995, 1996