Jorge Campos

Jorge Campos Navarrete (born 15 October 1966) is a Mexican professional football coach and player who plays as a goalkeeper for Tercera Federación – Group 7 club México FC.

A notable player of Mexico in the 1990s and early 2000s, Campos was an eccentric player, known for his constant play outside the penalty area – often functioning as a sweeper-keeper, as well as his acrobatic, risky, and flamboyant style of goalkeeping, and his colourful playing attire. His main strengths as a goalkeeper were his leaping ability, athleticism, and speed when rushing off his line, as well as his ability to organize his defense, which enabled him to overcome his short stature. He is regarded as one of the best goalkeepers of his generation.

Campos also made for an effective striker, an example of versatility that is rarely seen in football. At times, he would start a game in goal, and transfer upfield later in the match, mostly at the club level. In total, he scored 38 goals throughout his career, scoring all but four while playing for Pumas UNAM. His trademark, self-designed bright kits contributed to his popularity.

International career On the international stage, Campos started as goalkeeper for Mexico in two FIFA World Cup tournaments: 1994 and 1998. He was also called up to the 2002 FIFA World Cup but he did not play in the tournament. He would eventually collect 129 caps.

At the 1999 New Year's Cup in Hong Kong, in which Mexico was invited as well as Egypt and Bulgaria, Campos' father was kidnapped in Mexico and Campos returned to Mexico to attend to the matter. Campos was invited several times to play with the Rest of the World Team against clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelona, and AC Milan. His last game with Mexico was in 2004 in a friendly against Tecos.

He was selected as one of 3 overage players on the Mexico Olympic team at the 1996 Summer Olympics.

Managerial career Campos served as the assistant manager to Ricardo La Volpe during his tenure with Mexico.

Legacy

Campos has appeared in commercials for the American sportswear company Nike. In 1996, wearing a black jersey (in contrast to the colorful jerseys he wore in games), Campos starred in a Nike commercial titled "Good vs Evil" in a gladiatorial game set in a Roman amphitheatre. Appearing alongside football players from around the world, including Ronaldo, Paolo Maldini, Eric Cantona, Luís Figo and Patrick Kluivert, they defend "the beautiful game" against a team of demonic warriors, before it culminates with Cantona striking the ball and destroying evil.

Campos has appeared in EA Sports' FIFA video game series, featuring in the Classic XI for 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa, FIFA 11, FIFA 12, FIFA 13, FIFA 15 and FIFA 16. He also appeared in FIFA 23, FC 24 and FC 25's Ultimate Team section, as a FUT Heroes Card.

Campos is also a commentator for TV Azteca.

On 26 July 2024, Campos was the honorary captain for a match in Toronto between York United FC and Atlético Ottawa.

Career statistics

Honours Pumas UNAM Mexican Primera División: 1990–91 Copa Pachuca: 1994 CONCACAF Champions' Cup: 1989 Copa Interamericana runner-up: 1989 Selectivo Pre Pre Libertadores: 2002 Copa Pre Libertadores: 2002 MLS Cup runner-up: 1996 Supporters' Shield runner-up: 1996 Western Conference Playoffs: 1996 Western Conference Regular Season: 1996 CONCACAF Champions Cup runner-up: 1997

Cruz Azul Mexican Primera División: Invierno 1997 Copa México: 1996–97 Copa Pachuca: 1997 CONCACAF Champions Cup: 1997

Chicago Fire MLS Cup: 1998 Western Conference Playoffs: 1998 U.S. Open Cup: 1998

Atlante Selectivo Pre Pre Libertadores: 2000

Mexico FIFA Confederations Cup: 1999; third place: 1995 Copa América runner-up: 1993; third place: 1999

CONCACAF Gold Cup: 1993, 1996

Individual CONCACAF Champions' Cup Top Scorer: 1989 1996 FIFA World Stars: 1993 MLS All-Star: 1996, 1997, 1998 LA Galaxy Defender of the Year: 1996 IFFHS World's 10th Best Goalkeeper: 1996 FIFA World XI: 1995, 1996, 1999, LA Galaxy All-time Roster Chicago Fire All-time roster IFFHS 4th Best North American Goalkeeper of the Century IFFHS Best Goalkeepers of the Century FIFA Century Club FIFA International Football Hall of Fame: 2011 FIFA World Cup Greatest Goalkeepers Best XI Liga MX Career Achievement Award: 2015–16 MLS ESPN Mexican Players All Time XI IFFHS 28th Best Goalkeeper of the 20th Century IFFHS 34th Best Goalkeeper of All Time: 1987–2022 IFFHS The Best Latin American Goalkeepers of the Last 35 Years: 2023 Thompson Rivers University Honorary Doctorate: 2023 Musée des Arts Décoratifs Paris: 2023 York United FC Honorary Captain: 26 July 2024 FIFA Museum: 2025 FIFA World Cup The Athletic’s all-time best XI

Records Third Highest Scoring Goalkeeper In History Highest Scoring Mexican and North American Goalkeeper Pumas UNAM Highest Scoring Goalkeeper