Alejandro Enrique Cíchero Konarek (Latin American Spanish: [aleˈxandɾo ˈsitʃeɾo]; born April 20, 1977) is a former Venezuelan footballer who played as a defender.

Alejandro Cíchero
Personal information
Full name Alejandro Enrique Cíchero Konarek
Date of birth (1977-04-20) April 20, 1977 (age 47)
Place of birth Caracas, Venezuela
Height 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in)
Position(s) Defender
Youth career
1988–1995 Trujillanos
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1996–1998 Trujillanos 48 (0)
1998–2001 Benfica 0 (0)
1998–1999Cagliari (loan) 13 (0)
1999–2000Oliveira do Bairro (loan) 26 (0)
2000–2001 Benfica B 10 (1)
2001–2002 Deportivo Italchacao 26 (5)
2002 Central Español 5 (0)
2003 Atlético Cerro 20 (2)
2004 Nacional Montevideo 12 (1)
2004–2008 Litex Lovech 62 (5)
2008–2009 Shandong Luneng 58 (5)
2009–2010 Caracas 7 (0)
2010–2011 Millonarios 46 (5)
2013–2014 Deportivo Anzoátegui 24 (1)
Total 357 (25)
International career
2002–2007 Venezuela 47 (2)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Career

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Born in Caracas, Cichero joined the youth system of Trujillanos Fútbol Club in 1988, being promoted to the first team in 1996 and helping them reach the Copa CONMEBOL Playoff in his second season.

In 1998, he moved to Europe, joining Benfica, who immediately loaned him to Cagliari Calcio in the Serie A, playing thirteen matches over the course of the 1998–99 season. He then spent two seasons in the Portuguese Second Division — the third tier of Portuguese football. First in 1999–2000 at Oliveira do Bairro S.C. and then at Benfica's reserve team, where he made one bench appearance on the first team in a 2–1 win against Porto.[1][2]

In 2002, he returned home, playing the 2001–02 season at Deportivo Italchacao, before spending an 18-month span in the Uruguayan Primera División, in three clubs. In 2004, he returned to Europe, joining PFC Litex Lovech in the Bulgarian league, where he would stay until 2008, helping the team finish third in 2005–06, as well progressing to the Round of 32 in the UEFA Cup.

The 31-year-old then joined Chinese team, Shandong Luneng Taishan F.C., immediately conquering his first title, the 2008 Chinese Super League. After two seasons, he returned to his native hometown, to play for Caracas FC. In July 2010, the Venezuelan international, moved to Colombia, reuniting with former national team manager, Richard Páez at Millonarios.[3]

In 2013, the 36-year-old, came out of retirement to play one more season, joining Deportivo Anzoátegui.[4]

International career

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He played in the 2004 and 2007 editions of Copa America.[5] He has made over 40 appearances for the Venezuela national team since 2002.[6]

International goals

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No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition Ref.
1. June 1, 2007 José Pachencho Romero, Maracaibo,Venezuela   Canada 1–1 2–2 Friendly
2. June 30, 2007 Pueblo Nuevo, San Cristóbal, Venezuela   Peru 1–0 2–0 2007 Copa América

Personal life

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He is the son of Mauro Cichero who was a professional football player and represented Venezuela in the 1980 Olympics. His brothers, Gabriel and Mauro, are also professional football players.[7] Born in Venezuela, Cichero is of Italian and Polish descent.[8]

Honors

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Shandong Luneng Taishan

Caracas

  • Venezuelan 1st Division: 2009–10

References

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  1. ^ "Benfica-FC Porto, 2–1: A ironia de ser Van Hooijdonk a reabilitar o 4x5x1 de Toni" [Benfica-Porto, 2–1: The irony of being Van Hooijdonk to reabilitate the 4x5x1 of Toni]. Record (in Portuguese). 22 January 2001. Archived from the original on 15 June 2015. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
  2. ^ "Cichero: "Em Portugal havia sempre churrasco"" [Chichero: "In Portugal there was always barbecue"]. Record (in Portuguese). 9 March 2010. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
  3. ^ "Cichero sueña con ser campeón" [Cichero dreams of being Champion]. ESPN. 27 July 2010. Retrieved 16 June 2015.
  4. ^ "Alejandro Cíchero nuevo jugador del Deportivo Anzoátegui". visionnoventa.com/. 18 July 2013. Archived from the original on 22 June 2015. Retrieved 16 June 2015.
  5. ^ rsssf: Venezuela record international footballers Archived 2009-03-30 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ International career statistics at rsssf
  7. ^ De Simone, Fioravante (15 March 2018). "Mauro Cichero, uno dei pilastri della vinotinto olimpionica" [Mauro Cichero, one of the pillars of the olympic vinotinto]. La Voce d'Italia (in Italian). Retrieved 16 June 2020.
  8. ^ 🖉S.A, Telewizja Polska (26 April 2021). "Od potomka "Witkacego" po Dybalę. Egzotycznymi śladami Polaków". sport.tvp.pl.
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