Orlando Ballesteros
{{Short description|Colombian footballer (born 1972)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Orlando Ballesteros
| image =
| fullname = Orlando Enrique Ballesteros Santos Maria
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1972|10|24|df=y}}
| birth_place = Colombia
| height =
| position = Forward
| years1 = 1991–1994
| clubs1 = Alianza Llanos
| years2 = 1995–1997
| clubs2 = Deportes Quindío
| years3 = 1997–1999
| clubs3 = Atlético Bucaramanga
| years4 = 1999–2001
| clubs4 = Atlético Junior
| years5 = 2002
| clubs5 = Atlético Bucaramanga
| years6 = 2003–2004
| clubs6 = Atlético Junior
| years7 = 2005
| clubs7 = Envigado FC
| years8 = 2006
| clubs8 = Millonarios FC
| years9 = 2007
| clubs9 = Unión Atlético Maracaibo
| years10 = 2008
| clubs10 = Deportivo Pereira
| years11 = 2008
| clubs11 = Envigado FC
| years12 = 2009
| clubs12 = Deportivo Pasto
| years13 = 2010
| clubs13 = Bogotá FC
| years14 = 2011
| clubs14 = Uniautónoma FC
}}
Orlando Enrique Ballesteros Santos Maria (born 24 October 1972) is a Colombian former footballer who played as a forward.
Life and career
Ballesteros started his career with Colombian side Alianza Llanos. In 1995, he signed for Colombian side Deportes Quindío. In 1997, he signed for Colombian side Atlético Bucaramanga. In 1999, he signed for Colombian side Atlético Junior. In 2002, he returned to Colombian side Atlético Bucaramanga. He was the top scorer of the 2002 Categoría Primera A finals with thirteen goals. In 2003, he returned to Colombian side Atlético Junior. He helped the club win the league.{{Cite web|url=https://lachachara.org/orlando-ballesteros-fue-un-fantasma-en-la-primera-temporada-con-junior/|title=Orlando Ballesteros, fue un ´fantasma´ en la primera temporada con Junior|date=26 February 2021 |publisher=lachachara.org}}
In 2005, he signed for Colombian side Envigado FC. In 2006, he signed for Colombian side Millonarios FC. In 2007, he signed for Colombian side Unión Atlético Maracaibo. In 2008, he signed for Colombian side Deportivo Pereira. After that, he returned to Colombian side Envigado FC. In 2009, he signed for Colombian side Deportivo Pasto. In 2010, he signed for Colombian side Bogotá FC. In 2011, he signed for Colombian side Uniautónoma FC. He scored 184 goals during his career.
Ballesteros was born on 24 October 1972 in Colombia. He is a native of Barranquilla, Colombia. He has been nicknamed "El Fantastico", as well as "El Fantasma" (the Ghost).{{Cite web|url=https://www.pulzo.com/deportes/por-que-orlando-ballesteros-le-dicen-fantasma-fantastico--PP1327807A|title=De 'Fantasma' a 'Fantástico': ¿Quién hizo que le cambiaran el apodo a Orlando Ballesteros?|date=25 April 2022 |publisher=pulzo.com}} He has a brother. After retiring from playing professional football, he worked as a youth manager.
Style of play
Ballesteros mainly operated as a forward. His playing style was described as "fantastic and ghostly".{{Cite web|url=https://www.elheraldo.co/deportes/le-pagaba-50-mil-pesos-macnelly-por-cada-pase-gol-que-me-ponia-orlando-ballesteros-433984|title="Yo también viví lo de Toloza": Ballesteros|date=9 December 2017 |publisher=elheraldo.co}} He was also known for his speed and agility.
References
{{reflist}}
{{Improve categories|date=July 2024}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ballesteros, Orlando}}
Category:Men's association football forwards
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Venezuela
Category:Colombian men's footballers
Category:Atlético Bucaramanga footballers
Category:Uniautónoma F.C. footballers
Category:Deportivo Pereira footballers
Category:Envigado F.C. players