This January 17 marks another anniversary of a debut that forever shaped the identity of Club Deportivo Guadalajara. It was in 1954, during a Clásico de México in the 1953–54 season, when Guillermo Sepúlveda wore the red-and-white jersey for the first time. That afternoon, El Rebaño claimed a narrow victory, and the story of one of the most emblematic defenders in club history began to be written.
Born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, on November 29, 1934, the ‘Tigre’ was one of the greatest embodiments of what it means to represent Chivas. A product of Sutaj, a renowned amateur football talent factory, he stood out from his early years for his physical strength, tough marking, unquestionable commitment, and a fearless character in every challenge for the ball.
After his debut, Sepúlveda gradually earned his place until becoming a regular starter in the second half of the following season, playing 10 matches. His development was immediate and decisive, to the point that he became a key figure in the club’s first league title in the 1956–57 season, a campaign in which he missed only two matches.
Alongside Arturo ‘Cura’ Chaires and José ‘Jamaicón’ Villegas, he formed a legendary defensive line that sustained the dominance of the Campeonísimo, a golden era during which he lifted 15 official titles with the red-and-white shirt: 7 League championships, 1 Copa México, 6 Campeón de Campeones trophies, and 1 CONCACAF title.
His legacy also extended to the international stage, as he made his debut with the Mexican National Team in 1957 and took part in the World Cups of Sweden 1958 and Chile 1962.
Today, 72 years after that historic debut, Chivas proudly remembers the ‘Tigre’ Sepúlveda—a footballer who defended these colors with character, identity, and a passion that made him an eternal legend of Guadalajara.
