Adolfo Bautista Herrera (born 15 May 1979), also known as "Bofo", is a Mexican former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder and centre-forward.

Adolfo Bautista
Bautista with Guadalajara
Personal information
Full name Adolfo Bautista Herrera
Date of birth (1979-05-15) 15 May 1979 (age 45)
Place of birth Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato, Mexico
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s) Attacking midfielder, centre-forward
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1998–2002 Tecos UAG 61 (15)
2002–2003 Morelia 45 (19)
2003 Pachuca 20 (2)
2004–2007 Guadalajara 131 (42)
2007–2009 Chiapas 69 (22)
2010–2011 Guadalajara 37 (3)
2011–2012 Querétaro 10 (1)
2013 Atlético San Luis 12 (0)
2014 Chivas USA 7 (0)
2014–2015 Coras 22 (4)
2015–2016 Chicago Mustangs (indoor) 11 (18)
Total 425 (126)
International career
2002–2010 Mexico 38 (11)
Medal record
Representing  Mexico
Runner-up CONCACAF Gold Cup 2007
Third place Copa América 2007
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Bautista is remembered for his powerful shot, creative ball control, and acrobatic moves, as well as for his extravagant style; especially his colorful hairstyles and unusual squad numbers. He played for a variety of teams, most notably for Guadalajara, as well as the Mexico national team. He also appeared in the 2010 FIFA World Cup representing Mexico.

Bautista oftentimes threw his cleats into the crowd as part of his goal celebration.

Club career

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Beginnings

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Bautista played in amateur leagues in Dolores Hidalgo, San Diego de la Unión Guanajuato and San Miguel de Allende. Bautista made his professional debut on March 7, 1998, at the age of 18. He played with Tecos UAG from 1998 to 2002 where he scored 15 goals for the team in those four years. Bautista's first goal in the Mexican Championship against Necaxa on September 17, 2000, with Tecos losing 3–1.

In late 2002, Bautista was transferred to Monarcas Morelia where he scored 8 goals in 21 games and was one of the team's important players. He made a deadly frontline with Chilean footballer Reinaldo Navia where together they packed over 15 goals for the team. He played for Morelia for two seasons, appearing in the Apertura 2002, Clausura 2003 tournaments where the team came second place and reached the championship finals in two consecutive seasons.

In mid-2003, he was transferred to Pachuca where the expectations did not materialize, as he spent most of his time on the bench. In 19 games, he scored one goal against Chiapas and he struggled to find his form. Despite his poor performances, Pachuca still managed to reach the finals against Tigres of Monterrey. Tigres won the first leg 1–0 at home. Tigres began winning the match in the second leg, but Pachuca launched a great turnaround, and Pachuca won the match 3–1, with Bautista scoring the last goal of the match to secure his first title as a professional.

Guadalajara

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Bautista playing for Guadalajara

Bautista joined Guadalajara in 2004. In his first season, he scored nine goals in 19 games and was the team's top scorer.

In 2005, he participated in the Copa Libertadores and scored the last goal of the match with a long-range strike in their notorious 4–0 victory over Boca Juniors. In the second leg at La Bombonera, which ended in a 0–0 draw, Bautista was elbowed by Raúl Alfredo Cascini. After that, Bautista got up and showed four fingers to the Boca crowd, making a reference to Boca's loss in the first leg. Moments later, Martín Palermo ran up to him and headbutted him. Both Palermo and Bautista were red carded for the incident. However, as Bautista was walking off the pitch, a Boca fan attempted to punch him, and Boca coach Jorge José Benítez was caught on tape spitting in his face. The ref attempted to restart the match, but ultimately decided to end it early due to the serious incidents on the pitch, which resulted in Boca's elimination.[1][2] Chivas went on to the semi-finals and lost to Atletico Paranaense 5–2 on aggregate.

During the 2006 Apertura, Bautista scored seven goals to go along with his five assists. He also led Guadalajara to win the final against Deportivo Toluca, after scoring the championship winning goal. On June 11, 2007, Bautista was put on the Transfer list along with Diego Martínez (who fell out of favor with Vergara), after coach José Manuel de la Torre was not happy with his performance in the loss against rivals América in the 2007 Clausura semi-finals.

Chiapas

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'Bofo' was sold to Chiapas on August 4, 2007, and played his first game with them in a 1–1 tie against Atlante. Bautista was given the number 1 (which is mostly used by goalkeepers). On October 31, 2007 'Bofo' scored his second goal with the team against Veracruz. Bofo helped the team get to the playoffs but they were eliminated by Cruz Azul in the quarter-finals.

One of Bofo's best seasons was in the 2008 Apertura where he finished as the 3rd top goal scorer with 9 goals, and was the only Mexican in the top 10 goal scorers. He could not play the beginning of the 2008 Clausura because of an injury. His first goal of the tournament came on March 7 in a match against his former team Chivas de Guadalajara. In the 2009 Apertura he played only 8 of 17 matches and scored one goal.

Return to Guadalajara

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On December 15, 2009, Bautista rejoined Guadalajara after signing a three-year contract. Bautista played in both legs of the 2010 Copa Libertadores finals, and scored the opening goal in the first leg, but Chivas eventually lost to Internacional on aggregate. In 2011, he was placed on the transfer list.

Querétaro

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Bautista with Queretaro in 2011

Bautista was loaned to Querétaro, the reason being that he could have more playing time since Guadalajara debuted many new youngsters from their youth squad. He scored his first goal in a 3–0 win against Estudiantes Tecos. Bautista left the club after the season.

Atlético San Luis

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Bautista joined newly founded club Atlético San Luis during the summer of 2013.[3] In his short stay at the club Bautista made twelve appearances and did not score.

Chivas USA

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On January 14, 2014, Bautista signed with Chivas USA in Major League Soccer.[4][5]

Coras Tepic

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In June 2014, Bautista signed with Deportivo Tepic F.C.

Chicago Mustangs

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On December 4, 2015, Bautista signed with the professional indoor club, Chicago Mustangs.[6] Bautista left the club in 2016 after Chicago Mustangs failed to pay his wages.

In June 2017, Bautista announced his official retirement from football. In his press conference he confirmed he was having a match of farewell on July 1, 2017, in the Estadio Jalisco, the former stadium of his boyhood club C.D. Guadalajara. He will team up with former teammates against current and former Liga MX players, and Guadalajara gave him permission to use the official home kits from the 2017 season.

International career

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Bautista (#21 jersey) playing against Argentina at the 2010 FIFA World Cup

Bautista made his debut with the senior national team in 2002. He also was part of the 23-man squad at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Career statistics

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International

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As of match played 27 June 2010
National team Year Apps Goals
Mexico 2002 5 3
2003 4 0
2004 7 5
2005 1 0
2006 1 0
2007 11 1
2008 2 0
2010 7 2
Total 38 11

International goals

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Scores and results list Mexico's goal tally first.[7]
Goal Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 21 January 2002 Rose Bowl, Pasadena, United States   Guatemala 1–0 3–1 2002 CONCACAF Gold Cup
2. 13 March 2002 Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, United States   Albania 3–0 4–0 Friendly
3. 4–0
4. 19 June 2004 Alamodome, San Antonio, United States   Dominica 1–0 10–0 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
5. 5–0
6. 27 June 2004 Estadio Victoria, Aguascalientes City, Mexico   Dominica 1–0 8–0 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
7. 4–0
8. 13 July 2004 Estadio Miguel Grau, Piura, Peru   Ecuador 2–0 2–1 2004 Copa América
9. 28 March 2007 McAfee Coliseum, Oakland, United States   Ecuador 4–2 4–2 Friendly
10. 30 May 2010 Hans-Walter-Wild-Stadion, Bayreuth, Germany   Gambia 3–0 5–1 Friendly
11. 4–1

Honours

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Pachuca

Guadalajara

References

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  1. ^ "Boca-Chivas: la noche que el Chino Benítez escupió al Bofo Bautista". Goal.com (in Spanish). February 2, 2017. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
  2. ^ "Boca determinó el despido de Benítez". La Nueva (in Spanish). June 16, 2005. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
  3. ^ "'Bofo' Bautista sale del retiro y jugará con Atlético San Luis en el Ascenso MX". Futbol.univision.com. Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
  4. ^ "Chivas USA signs Bofo Bautista". Goal.com. January 14, 2014. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
  5. ^ "Adolfo 'Bofo' Bautista joins Chivas USA". Cdchivasusa.com. Archived from the original on January 16, 2014. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
  6. ^ "Press Release: Chicago Mustangs Sign Adolfo "Bofo" Bautista". chicagomustangspro.com. December 4, 2015. Archived from the original on November 30, 2017. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
  7. ^ "Bautista, Adolfo". National Football Teams. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
  8. ^ "Tigres 1 – 0 Pachuca – Futbol – México". mediotiempo.com. December 20, 2003. Archived from the original on January 2, 2014. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
  9. ^ "Toluca 1 – 2 Chivas – Futbol – México". mediotiempo.com. December 10, 2006. Archived from the original on March 22, 2016. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
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