26 Facts About Pablo Contreras

Pablo Contreras earned his first senior honours in 1997, winning the Chilean Primera Division title.

Pablo Contreras won an Olympic bronze medal with Chile in the Sydney Games.

Pablo Contreras was immediately loaned to Osasuna and then to Sporting CP, playing in the UEFA Champions League, before returning after to Celta.

Pablo Contreras signed a six-month contract with Braga in January 2008 before moving in June of that year to Superleague Greece side PAOK.

Pablo Contreras made his professional debuts in 1997, helping the club to two first division titles and appearing in 37 first-team matches in the next two seasons.

Pablo Contreras appeared for the club in both the UEFA Cup and UEFA Champions League.

In January 2001 it was discovered that Pablo Contreras was using a fake Italian passport in order to gain European Union status.

Pablo Contreras did not join Celta immediately, being loaned to fellow La Liga side Osasuna.

Pablo Contreras appeared rarely in his debut season, as the Galicians were participating for the first time ever in the Champions League.

Pablo Contreras appeared in seven games as Celta eventually lost in the round of 16 to Arsenal, but saw his team relegate to Segunda Division, after a 19th-place finish in the league.

Pablo Contreras returned to Portugal after four years, joining Braga on a six-month contract, and was regularly used during his spell, helping his team finish seventh.

Pablo Contreras was promoted to team captain in his second season, alongside Sergio Conceicao, who retired shortly after.

On 2 January 2012, Pablo Contreras mutually terminated his contract with PAOK.

On 7 January 2012, it was confirmed that Pablo Contreras was returning to Chilean club Colo-Colo, after several rumours of a possible move to Argentina's Colon and other European and American clubs.

Pablo Contreras instantly became an irreplaceable player for coach Ivo Basay, helping the team win important games during his tenure, for example against Cobreloa at Calama and O'Higgins in the capital, thus becoming a mainstay centre back for Basay's team.

On 16 August 2012, Pablo Contreras returned to Greece, signing a contract with Olympiacos.

On 22 September 2013, it was confirmed Pablo Contreras signed for Australian club Melbourne Victory.

Pablo Contreras made his debut in Round 1 against Melbourne Heart, playing the full 90 minutes.

Pablo Contreras was suspended after the match for two games due to an off-the-ball incident where he blocked an opponent in the derby match.

In January 2014, Pablo Contreras announced on Chilean radio that he would retire at the end of the season.

Pablo Contreras made his debut for Chile team on 17 February 1999 against Guatemala.

Pablo Contreras was then picked for that year's Copa America in Paraguay, helping the national side finish in fourth position.

In 2000, Pablo Contreras participated at the 2000 Summer Olympics, where Chile won the bronze medal, and the player was named one of the best defenders in the tournament.

Pablo Contreras featured prominently in qualification for the 2002 and 2006 FIFA World Cup, with Chile failing to make the final stages on both occasions.

One of the darkest moments in Pablo Contreras' career happened during the 2007 Copa America.

Pablo Contreras became the second-captain, after goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, when the team was managed by Claudio Borghi.