1. Overview
Egidio Raúl Arévalo Ríos (eˈxiðjo aˈɾeβalo ˈri.osSpanish), commonly known as Egidio Arévalo or Arévalo Ríos, and nicknamed El Cacha and occasionally El pequeño gigante (The Little Giant), is a Uruguayan former professional footballer. He primarily played as a defensive midfielder and was known for his tireless work rate. Arévalo Ríos had a distinguished club career spanning multiple countries, including Uruguay, Mexico, Italy, the United States, Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Peru. He is also a prominent figure in the Uruguay national team, having represented his country in two FIFA World Cups (2010 and 2014) and winning the 2011 Copa América.
2. Personal Information
Egidio Raúl Arévalo Ríos, often referred to by his nicknames El Cacha or El pequeño gigante, holds both Uruguayan and Mexican citizenship.
2.1. Birth and Early Life
Arévalo Ríos was born on January 1, 1982, in Paysandú, Uruguay. His early life and football development began in his hometown.
2.2. Youth Career
His initial steps in football were taken within the youth system of Paysandú Bella Vista, where he honed his skills before embarking on his professional journey.
3. Professional Club Career
Arévalo Ríos's professional club career was extensive, taking him across various leagues and continents. He played for numerous clubs, showcasing his defensive midfield prowess.
3.1. Uruguayan Clubs
Arévalo Ríos began his professional career in his native Uruguay. He played for Paysandú Bella Vista from 2000 to 2001, making 35 appearances and scoring 2 goals. Following this, he moved to Bella Vista (Montevideo), where he spent five years from 2002 to 2006, accumulating 108 appearances and 6 goals. His first stint with Peñarol was from 2006 to 2007, during which he played 29 matches and scored 6 goals. He returned to Peñarol for a second spell from 2009 to 2010, contributing 1 goal in 30 appearances, and winning the Primera División Uruguaya in the 2009-10 season. Later in his career, from 2020 to 2021, he also played for Sud América, making 11 appearances without scoring.
3.2. Mexican Clubs
A significant portion of Arévalo Ríos's career was spent in Mexico's Liga MX. He first joined Monterrey from 2007 to 2008, playing 32 games and scoring 3 goals. He then had a brief stint with San Luis in 2009, appearing in 7 matches. From 2011 to 2014, he was with Club Tijuana, where he made 31 appearances and scored 1 goal.
His most notable period in Mexico was with Tigres UANL. In December 2013, Tigres reportedly acquired him, though he was initially loaned to Monarcas Morelia for six months, where he played 13 matches and scored 1 goal. It was later clarified in April 2014 that Tijuana still held his rights, but Tigres successfully negotiated to sign him the following month. Arévalo Ríos officially debuted with Tigres on July 9, 2014, against his former loan club, Monarcas Morelia, in the 2014 Supercopa MX. He became a crucial player for Tigres, helping them reach the finals of the 2015 Copa Libertadores and winning the Apertura 2015 championship. After this success, in December 2015, he was loaned to Atlas for six months, making 14 appearances. In mid-2016, he transferred to Chiapas, playing 4 matches, and then moved to Veracruz in December 2016, where he scored 1 goal in 14 appearances. In 2019, he returned to Mexico to play for Correcaminos UAT, appearing in 11 matches.
3.3. European and Other International Clubs
Beyond Uruguay and Mexico, Arévalo Ríos also played for clubs in Europe, North America, and South America. On July 23, 2012, he signed a three-year contract with Italian Serie A club Palermo, where he made 27 appearances and scored 2 goals during his loan spell from 2012 to 2013.
In August 2013, Arévalo Ríos was loaned to Chicago Fire for the remainder of the MLS season. The loan was made permanent on August 14, 2013, but he was not retained by the club after the season, having played 9 matches.
His international club journey also included a brief period with Brazilian club Botafogo in 2011, where he made 1 appearance. In 2017, he played for Racing Club in Argentina, appearing in 7 matches. In 2018, he moved to Paraguay, joining Club Libertad, where he played 16 matches. The following year, 2019, saw him in Peru with Deportivo Municipal, where he scored 1 goal in 11 appearances. His last known club was CSD Zacatecas in Guatemala, where he played from 2021 to 2022, making 21 appearances.
4. International Career
Arévalo Ríos was a pivotal member of the Uruguay national football team, participating in major international tournaments at both senior and Olympic levels.
4.1. Senior National Team Appearances
Arévalo Ríos made his debut for the Uruguay national team in a friendly match against Venezuela. He was a key player in the squad selected by coach Óscar Tabárez. He played in all of Uruguay's matches at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, where the team achieved a commendable fourth-place finish. He continued to be a central figure, playing all games in the group stage of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. His contributions were instrumental in Uruguay's triumph at the 2011 Copa América in Argentina, where they lifted the trophy. He was also chosen as the captain of the national team during his career.
4.2. Olympic Games Participation
In 2012, Arévalo Ríos was selected by Óscar Tabárez as one of the three over-aged players for the London 2012 Olympic Games Uruguayan squad. He made 5 appearances during the tournament.
5. Career Statistics
This section provides a statistical summary of Egidio Arévalo Ríos's appearances and goals for the Uruguay national team.
5.1. International
| Uruguay | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Apps | Goals |
| 2006 | 1 | 0 |
| 2007 | 3 | 0 |
| 2008 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | 0 | 0 |
| 2010 | 11 | 0 |
| 2011 | 15 | 0 |
| 2012 | 9 | 0 |
| 2013 | 13 | 0 |
| 2014 | 13 | 0 |
| 2015 | 10 | 0 |
| 2016 | 12 | 0 |
| 2017 | 3 | 0 |
| Total | 90 | 0 |
6. Honours
Arévalo Ríos achieved significant individual and team awards throughout his career at both club and international levels.
6.1. Club Honours
- Peñarol
- Primera División Uruguaya Winner: 2009-10
- UANL
- Liga MX: Apertura 2015
6.2. International Honours
- Uruguay
- FIFA World Cup Fourth-place: 2010
- Copa América: 2011
7. Playing Style and Assessment
Egidio Arévalo Ríos was primarily known for his role as a defensive midfielder. Standing at 67 in (170 cm) and weighing 150 lb (68 kg), he earned the nickname El pequeño gigante (The Little Giant) due to his impactful presence despite his relatively modest stature. His other common nickname, El Cacha, also highlighted his tenacious playing style. He was widely recognized for his tireless work rate and commitment on the field. After his participation in the 2014 FIFA World Cup, he immediately joined Tigres UANL for training, a dedication that was highly praised by his coach, Ricardo Ferretti, who stated that Arévalo Ríos was "not an idol, but an example of what a player must be." His ability to consistently perform at a high level and his leadership qualities made him a vital asset to both his clubs and the Uruguay national team.
