The question of how the Chile national football team, La Roja, can reclaim its South American dominance is one that haunts every Chilean football fan, myself included. Having witnessed the golden generation’s back-to-back Copa América triumphs in 2015 and 2016, a period where we genuinely feared no one, the subsequent decline has been painful to watch. It’s not just about losing; it’s about the palpable loss of that fearsome identity, that relentless competitive fire. The path back to the summit isn’t about finding a magic tactical formula overnight. It’s a deeper, more fundamental rebuild, and interestingly, the core of the solution might be found in a simple, powerful quote from a different sport. I recall a veteran athlete once saying, “At the end of the day, just coming out and competing, giving it all that I can. That usually takes over anything else. Just playing to compete and playing to win.” That ethos, stripped of all pretense, is precisely what Chile needs to recapture above all else.
Let’s be brutally honest: the transition from our golden generation was always going to be rocky. Players like Alexis Sánchez, Arturo Vidal, Gary Medel, and Claudio Bravo defined an era with their unparalleled intensity. They weren’t just technically gifted; they were warriors who imposed their will. The problem we’re seeing now, in my view, isn’t solely a lack of comparable individual talent in the next cohort—though that’s a factor—but a dilution of that foundational mentality. We’ve seen matches where the team looks tactically confused, sure, but more damningly, they sometimes look physically and mentally out-fought. The stats from our recent World Cup qualifying campaigns are telling. In the 2022 cycle, we finished a dismal 7th, winning only 5 of 18 matches and scoring a paltry 19 goals. The current 2026 campaign hasn’t started much brighter, with a worrying trend of conceding early goals and struggling to control midfield battles. The numbers don’t lie; they show a team that has lost its competitive edge. You can have all the tactical plans in the world, but if you’re not winning individual duels, not pressing as a pack of hungry wolves, not playing every minute as if it’s your last, those plans are worthless. That’s where the quote resonates. We need players who, first and foremost, “come out and compete.”
So, how do we institutionalize this? It starts with leadership, both on and off the pitch. The new manager, whoever that may be long-term, must be a cultural architect as much as a tactician. He needs to be ruthless in selecting players based on their competitive character, perhaps even prioritizing that over pure technical skill in some positions. We need to see a return to the high-octane, high-press system that suits the Chilean footballing soul, a style that forces the issue and makes opponents uncomfortable. But this requires supreme fitness and commitment. The federation must invest in a world-class physical conditioning program, maybe even bringing back some of the old guard in mentoring roles to instill that standard. I’d love to see a structured program where emerging talents train with Vidal or Medel, not just to learn technique, but to feel the intensity required at the highest level. Player development is another critical pillar. We’re not producing enough complete midfield engines or clinical strikers. Our youth academies must focus on developing athletes with technical prowess and that characteristic Chilean garra—that claw. It’s a cultural export we’ve neglected.
Furthermore, we have to be smart. While rebuilding that core mentality, we must also make pragmatic decisions. The over-reliance on our aging legends, while understandable for their leadership, can sometimes stifle the growth of newcomers and slow down play. A phased, respectful transition is key. Integrating younger, hungry players like Marcelino Núñez, Víctor Dávila, or the emerging talent from the U-20s alongside a few seasoned leaders could create a potent mix of energy and wisdom. Tactically, we might need to be more flexible. While our heart is in the 4-3-3 press, maybe a more compact 4-4-2 or a 3-5-2 could provide defensive solidity while we develop the fitness for our classic style. But again, any system is built on the non-negotiable foundation of effort. I have a personal preference for seeing local league players who show insane week-in, week-out commitment get more chances, rather than those playing sparingly in Europe. That domestic fire can be contagious.
In conclusion, reclaiming South American dominance is a multi-year project for Chile, not a quick fix. It requires a strategic alignment from the federation down to the youth pitches, focusing on forging a new generation with the old heart. The blueprint isn’t complicated, even if the execution is hard. It’s about returning to that fundamental principle so eloquently put: “just playing to compete and playing to win.” When Chile played with that pure, unadulterated desire, they were giants. The tactics, the moments of individual brilliance, the historic victories—they all flowed from that source. My belief is that if we can reignite that collective spirit, that identity of being the hardest-working team on the continent, the results and the dominance will follow. The talent will emerge and grow within that culture of extreme competition. The journey back begins not with a dream of trophies, but with a simple, fierce promise to compete every single minute. That’s the Chilean way, and it’s the only way back to the top.
