Quick Facts
Biography
Luis Ernesto Tapia Pérez (born October 21, 1944 in Panama) is a retired football forward, who is regarded as the best player ever in Panama. He was active on the Panama national football team.
Club career
A native of Barrio El Granillo, in Panama City (Between Chorrillo and Barraza (lanes 17 and 21 West)), debuted very young with Panama national football team, during a tour on El Salvador, was signed by the Alianza of that country.
Known as the "Central-american Pele", Luis Ernesto "Cascarita" Tapia lived its golden age in El Salvador during the 1960s and 1970s, especially with the Alianza and still remembered by his fans, facing dozens of famous Brazilian players.
On March 19, 1971, in the then Estadio Revolución, about 25,000 fans witnessed the match between Brazil's Santos and Atlético Marte of El Salvador. In the Brazilian team was the King Pele, while on the side Atlético Marte "Cascarita" Tapia.
International career
Was part of the team that participated for the first time in a World Cup qualifier, for Argentina 1978 World Cup and had the honor of scoring the first goal for Panama in these competitions, he also toured with the Panama on Asia, facing famous Hector Chumpitaz´s Peru team. He scored 20 goals in 77 games for Panama.
Legacy
In his honor, the Training Court next to Estadio Rommel Fernandez also known as mini-Rommel bears his name.
International goals
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 31 March 1963 | Estadio Jorge "Mágico" González, San Salvador, El Salvador |  Nicaragua | 5–0 | 5–0 | 1963 CONCACAF Championship |
| 2 | 3 November 1969 | Independence Park (Jamaica), Kingston, Jamaica, Jamaica |  Jamaica | 1–0 | 1–1 | 1969 CONCACAF Championship qualification |
| 3 | 4 April 1976 | Estadio Rommel Fernández, Panama City, Panama |  Costa Rica | 1–1 | 3–2 | 1977 CONCACAF Championship qualification |
Honours and awards
Club
- CONCACAF Champions League (1): 1967
- Salvadoran Primera División (2): 1965-66, 1966–67