Salvador Reyes will always be fondly remembered by all Chivas fans, because in addition to being the Rebaño's top scorer for a long time, he earned his place in the club's history thanks to his many glories and his unforgettable love for the Red and White. That is why this December 29, 11 years after his death, we will remember the greatest legend of Club Deportivo Guadalajara.
Chava' Reyes was born on September 20, 1936 and the blood which ran through his veins was thoroughly Red and White inherited from his father, Luis Reyes, who was one of the main strikers of the Guadalajara team in the early days of professional soccer in Mexico.
He went from being Guadalajara's mascot and 'ball boy' in his childhood, to being part of the first Chivas team at the age of 16 and in 1953, he became the youngest player to make his debut with the Rebaño, when coach José María Casullo gave him the opportunity in a match against León and from then on he began to write his history.
The famous 'Melón' scored his first goal with the Red and White jersey on Sunday, November 29, 1953, in a match against El Oro. From that moment on, Reyes scored goals in bunches to become el Chiverío's top scorer for more than 40 years with 122 goals.
One of the most special nights that Don Chava Reyes experienced with the Rebaño was on Thursday, January 3, 1957, on the penultimate matchday of the 1956-1957 season, when he scored the goal with which Chivas defeated Irapuato 1-0 to win its first league title and unleash euphoria at Parque Oro, where someone even took his shoe to treasure it as a priceless piece of Guadalajara's history.
Salvador Reyes was vital to the team's transformation into the 'Campeonísimo', winning another six league trophies up to 1965, as he was the top scorer for six consecutive seasons, including 1961-62, when he scored 21 goals to become the Goleo Champion.
The legendary Chivas striker also left his mark on the National Team, as he scored the goal that gave Mexico the pass to the 1962 World Cup in a play-off against Paraguay. He played in 3 World Cups: Sweden 58, Chile 62 and England 66. He was also vital in Guadalajara's first international title, as he scored a hat-trick in the 5-0 victory over Comunicaciones of Guatemala.
Other unforgettable moments of Chava Reyes:
- He scored a brace against Barcelona at Camp Nou.
- He is the Red and White player with the most goals against América with 14.
- On Saturday, January 19, 2008, when, at the age of 71, he became the oldest player to participate in an official Liga MX match, when he did so in the first minute of the match against Pumas on Day One of the Clausura Tournament, in an unprecedented tribute by the board of directors.
- His legacy us so great that the institution has paid him a number of tributes, the Press Box at the Akron Stadium bears his name and the number 8 was also retired in the 2013 Clausura.
Before colon cancer unexpectedly affected his health until his death on December 29, 2012, Salvador Reyes collaborated with Club Deportivo Guadalajara as a scout and Forwards coach in the Youth Forces.
His talent, love for the colors and his admirable human qualities will make Salvador Reyes be remembered forever by the entire Rojiblanco Nation.
