Juan Francisco Barraza

Juan Francisco Barraza Flores (March 12, 1935 – December 17, 1997) was a Salvadoran football player and manager.

He is widely regarded as one of the best Salvadoran footballers of all time.

Career Born in the district of San Miguel as the son of Maria de la Cruz Barraza and Juan de Dios Flores, he attended Dr Antonio Rosales primary school.

Early years Barraza began playing soccer in grade school and he joined C.D. Corona when he was eight years old.

Professional career He made his professional debut with Dragón on 15 February 1953 against El Palermo de Guatemala. A year later he won the Central American and Caribbean Games with El Salvador. In 1958 he joined Águila, with whom he won several league titles.

On 8 June 1969 he played his final international game against Honduras. He scored 13 goals for the national team in official games between 1959 and 1963. He scored 24 in 64 games including unofficial matches.

While playing for C.D. Corona, Dragón and finally Águila, where he earned them several titles, he was idolized by soccer fans because of his technical brilliance and pure skill.

Barraza was recognized for his excellence on the soccer fields by clubs from Brazil (in particular São Paulo) and Mexico who were so desperate to sign him up.

Retirement and death He officially retired in 1970, and on December 17, 1997 Cariota died due to cardiac problems in Zacamil hospital in El Salvador. The municipal stadium in his native department of San Miguel, is named Estadio Juan Francisco "Cariota" Barraza in his honor.

Nickname The Cariota nickname was inherited through his parent, which is an extremely common custom in El Salvador.

Achievements

Year Finish Team Tournament Role Notes 1950 Champion Dragón 1st Division El Salvador Player 1952 Champion Dragón 1st Division El Salvador Player 1954 Gold Medal El Salvador Central American and Caribbean Games Player 1959 Champion Águila 1st Division El Salvador Player 1960-61 Champion Águila 1st Division El Salvador Player 1963-64 Champion Águila 1st Division El Salvador Player 1964 Champion Águila 1st Division El Salvador Player 1967-68 Champion Águila 1st Division El Salvador Player 1972 Champions Águila 1st Division El Salvador Coach 1981 Champions FAS 1st Division El Salvador Coach 1983 Champions Águila 1st Division El Salvador Coach