Luis Ernesto Tapia

Luis Ernesto Tapia Pérez (21 October 1944 – 13 November 2024) was a Panamanian football forward, who is regarded as the best player ever in Panama.

Tapia was a member of the Panama national team between 1963 and 1979.

Club career Tapia was raised in Barrio El Granillo, in Panama City and debuted at a young age with Panama national team. During a tour of El Salvador, he was signed by Alianza.

Known as the "Central American Pele", and "Cascarita", Tapia played primarily in El Salvador during the 1960s and 1970s, especially with the Alianza. He won the 1967 CONCACAF Champions' Cup with Alianza, scoring in the second leg and twice in the playoff against Jong Colombia, the latter in a 5-3 victory.

On 19 March 1971, in the then Estadio Revolución, about 25,000 fans witnessed the match between Brazil's Santos and Primera División side Atlético Marte. The Brazilian team featured Pelé, while Tapia played for Marte.

International career Tapia was part of the Panama team that participated for the first time in a World Cup qualifier. Tapia scored the first goal for Panama in a World Cup qualifier. He also toured with the Panama in Asia and scored 20 goals in 77 games for Panama.

Death Tapia died from a heart attack in Panama City, on 13 November 2024, at the age of 80.

Legacy In his honor, the Training Court next to Estadio Rommel Fernandez also known as mini-Rommel bears his name.

Career statistics Scores and results list Panama's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Tapia goal.

Honours Alianza CONCACAF Champions Cup: 1967 La Liga Mayor: 1965–66, 1966–67

Aletico Marte La Liga Mayor: 1970

Juventud Olímpica La Liga Mayor: 1973