In memory of ‘Tigre’ Sepúlveda, a symbol of red-and-white grit | OneFootball

There are people who become institutions: because of their values, their personality, and the way they live life. The best way to keep them present is through the memory of their feats; for that reason, with great affection on the anniversary of his passing, we offer this small tribute to Don Guillermo ‘Tigre’ Sepúlveda, one of the greatest figures in the history of Club Deportivo Guadalajara.

His nickname was more than just a simple moniker; it was the verbal expression of the way he left every drop of sweat on the field of play. A tough yet elegant defender who helped build the solid foundations of the Campeonísimo and who, in turn, left his name etched in the history of Mexican soccer by playing in two World Cups, in 1958 and 1962.

His origins go back to November 29, 1934, when he was born in a Guadalajara that was already breathing soccer intensely. He grew up surrounded by those who, over the years, would join him in making history with the team he loved: Don Salvador Reyes and Crescencio ‘Mellone’ Gutiérrez were part of the golden generation of SUTAJ alongside him, and years later they would wear the red-and-white jersey.

As a cornerstone of the Rebaño’s back line, he found his best partners in Arturo ‘Cura’ Chaires and José ‘Jamaicón’ Villegas. His legend was built match by match, until he lifted 15 official titles: seven league championships, one Copa México, six Campeón de Campeones titles, and one Concacaf title.

The moment that immortalized him came on April 26, 1964, when in the 1963-1964 Campeón de Campeones Final against América, with victory already in hand, Don Guillermo was sent off after an altercation with Alfonso Portugal. Before leaving the field, he took off his jersey, threw it onto the grass right in front of the azulcremas’ bench, and delivered a message to everyone there: “this should do it for you...”, which sent tensions between both squads soaring.

A living image of character, grit, and love for the red-and-white colors: that was ‘Tigre’ Sepúlveda, a member of the Soccer Hall of Fame since 2017, whom we remember today five years after his passing.

Rest in peace, ‘Tigre’.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.