Nelson Bustamante

Early life Bustamante was born in San Bernardo, Chile, and developed a passion for football from his father, who played for a local team. As a child, he would tell his father that he was going to mow lawns for money, but would instead go to dribble a football on the local streets, earning money from passers-by.

Club career Early career Curiaz and Lobos offered him to top-flight Chilean sides Colo-Colo and Universidad Católica, and he spent some time with the latter, but as they were unable to provide growth hormone treatment for his growth hormone deficiency, the same condition that afflicted his idol, Lionel Messi, he opted to move to Italy, joining the academy of Brescia. He made his professional debut shortly after joining, playing in Lecce's 1–0 Coppa Italia Lega Pro win over Nocerina on 18 October. The following month, he scored his first goal for the club in Lecce's 5–1 Coppa Italia Lega Pro win against Aprilia.

Matera and Serie D By May 2013, Bustamante found himself training separately from the Lecce first team. He was released by the club, and went on to join fellow Lega Pro side Matera the following summer. In December 2015, having been released by Matera, he returned to his native Chile, with the hope of finding a club to join. Four months later, in December 2016, he moved to fellow Serie D side Virtus Bolzano.

Return to Chile In July 2017, after fifteen league appearances and one goal with Virtus Bolzano, Bustamante returned to Chile, signing with Primera B de Chile side Santiago Morning. He scored his first goal for the club on 7 August of the same year, the only goal in a 1–0 win against Unión La Calera. The following season he moved to fellow Primera B side Barnechea. At the conclusion of the 2018 season, Bustamante decided to retire from football and spend time playing football for his neighbourhood's teams.

He briefly came out of retirement in 2024, joining amateur side Glorias Navales, and featured in their 2–0 loss to former club Universidad Católica in the Copa Chile.

Style of play During his playing career, Bustamante was nicknamed the "Chilean Messi" after Argentine footballing legend Lionel Messi, due to the two sharing a similar stature.

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