The legend Benjamín Galindo Marentes, a player who always stood out for the elegance and class he showed on the field, will never be forgotten. There was no need to break his head to nickname him the 'Maestro', since in every match he gave an authentic 'masterclass' with the ball.
As part of this Saturday's Cruz Azul vs Chivas match, corresponding to Day 10 of the Clausura 2024, we fondly remember one of the few players who has made history with both jerseys, both on the field and on the bench.
The 'Maestro' was astonishing since his beginnings in Tampico, since every dead ball became a real danger if Galindo could accommodate it, not only because of his privileged shot, but also because it was never known with which profile he was going to kick: he was equally good with his right and left foot.
He wore the Guadalajara jersey for the first time in 1986, a season in which, curiously enough, they beat Cruz Azul in the Grand Final 4-2 on aggregate, which was their first league title and the ninth for the club. It was 8 years in total in which the red and white fans surrendered to him every time the deep voice of the Jalisco Stadium announced "With the number 58, the 'Maestro' Benjamín Galindo!
He went on to La Laguna to conquer one more title and then landed right in La Noria. Dressed in the blue and white jersey, he became an important part of the team that managed to end the 17-year title drought at the institution by lifting the Invierno 97 trophy.
A brief stint at Pachuca preceded his long-awaited return to Guadalajara, where he closed his playing career as it should have been in 2001: surrounded by the affection of each and every one of the ChivaHermanos, who recognized his 296 games and 78 goals with the red and white jersey.
Little time passed before he was again linked to the team where he shone the most, but now from the technical area, as he served as Hans Westerhof's assistant in 2004 and later took over as coach of Chivas. Under his tutelage, Guadalajara reached the Semifinals of the 2005 Libertadores Cup, beating teams such as Boca Juniors and San Lorenzo de Almagro. He had a second stint at Verde Valle, between the Clausura and Apertura 2013.
In the 2008 Apertura he closed his cycle with La Máquina, after serving as assistant coach, he took the reins of the team for two tournaments.
