On this day 92 years ago, one of Guadalajara's greatest legends was born: Crescencio 'Mellone' Gutiérrez. On his birthday, we remember him with the affection and respect that the entire Rojiblanca Nation has for this historic footballer, who was part of the Campeonísimo and a key figure in the beginning of the Rebaño Sagrado's golden age.
With Guadalajara, he wore the number 9 jersey, the same one with which he made history with the Rebaño Sagrado, so here we share with you the 9 best facts you didn't know about 'Mellone':
1. At the age of 19, Crescencio 'Mellone' Gutiérrez received the opportunity that marked his destiny: to wear the Rojiblanca jersey. From then on, he never let it go, becoming one of the great icons of the Rebaño Sagrado.
2. It only took one training session with the club's youth team for him to be called up that same week for the match against León, where he scored his first memorable double against 'Tota' Carbajal.
3. His nickname, 'Mellone', came from his physical resemblance to Paraguayan Atilio Mellone, who played for Club Oro and with whom he also coincided at international level.
4. At Guadalajara, he shared a dressing room with historic figures such as Don 'Chava' Reyes, Sabás Ponce, and 'Cabo' Valdivia, forming a forward line that conquered an era of Mexican soccer.
5. As a mark of his greatness, he left his name immortalized among the top scorers in Guadalajara's two biggest rivalries: the Clásico Tapatío and the Clásico de México, where 'Mellone' scored five times in each in the national championship.
6. He was the top scorer in the 1956-57 season with 19 goals, which were key to Chivas winning their first league title.
7. One of his most memorable moments came in 1958, when Guadalajara faced River Plate in the Pentagonal in Mexico City. That night, 'Mellone' beat the legendary Amadeo Carrizo with a left-footed shot into the corner that still lives on in Rojiblanca memory.
8. Throughout his career with Guadalajara, he won five league titles and was part of the club's first Concacaf championship in history.
9. His performances also led him to defend the Mexican national team jersey, with which he competed in the 1958 World Cup in Sweden, holding high the name of El Rebaño.
