Teofilo Cubillas

Early Life

Teofilo Cubillas was born on March 8, 1949, in Lima, Peru. He grew up in a simple family. As a young boy, he loved to play football in the streets of his neighborhood. His friends called him "Nene" (Baby) because he was the youngest player in his group. Even as a child, people could see he was special with a football.

Starting Football

Cubillas started playing football very young. At age 16, he joined Club Alianza Lima's youth team. This is one of Peru's biggest football clubs. The coaches quickly saw his talent. He could score many goals and was very good with both feet. This means he could kick the ball well with his right and left foot. This is a rare skill in football.

Professional Career Begins

In 1966, at just 17 years old, Cubillas played his first professional game for Alianza Lima. He scored a goal in his first match! This was the start of an amazing career. In his first full season, he scored 19 goals. The fans loved him because he played beautiful football and scored wonderful goals.

Playing for Peru

Cubillas first played for Peru's national team in 1968. He was only 19 years old. Playing for your country is a big honor in football. Cubillas went on to play in three World Cups for Peru: 1970, 1978, and 1982. The World Cup is the biggest football tournament in the world.

The 1970 World Cup

The 1970 World Cup in Mexico was very special for Cubillas. He was only 21 years old, but he played amazingly well. He scored five goals in the tournament. Peru reached the quarter-finals (the last eight teams). This was Peru's best-ever performance in a World Cup. FIFA (the organization that runs world football) named Cubillas the best young player of the tournament.

Playing Style

Cubillas was known for his special way of playing football. He was very fast and could control the ball perfectly. He was famous for his powerful shots at goal. Many people say he had "magic feet" because he could do amazing things with the football. He was especially good at free kicks. A free kick is when a player can kick the ball at goal after a foul. Cubillas had a special way of kicking the ball that made it very hard for goalkeepers to save.

Success in Peru

With Alianza Lima, Cubillas won two league titles (in 1975 and 1977). He scored many goals for his team. The fans called him "El Rey del Fútbol Peruano" (The King of Peruvian Football). He became a hero in Peru. Young players wanted to play like him.

Moving to Other Countries

After becoming famous in Peru, Cubillas played football in other countries. He played in Switzerland for FC Basel and in Portugal for Porto. His biggest move was to the United States. He played for Fort Lauderdale Strikers in the North American Soccer League (NASL). Even in these new countries, he showed his great skills and scored many goals.

The 1978 World Cup

In the 1978 World Cup in Argentina, Cubillas was again amazing. He scored five goals, just like in 1970. His most famous game was against Scotland. He scored two wonderful goals in this match. One goal was from a free kick that went around the wall of players and into the goal. People still talk about this goal today.

Records and Awards

Cubillas scored many goals in his career. He scored 26 goals for Peru's national team. This was a record for many years. He scored 513 goals in all the games he played in his career. This is a very high number for any football player. In 2004, Pelé (one of the greatest football players ever) named Cubillas in his list of the 125 greatest living football players.

After Football

When Cubillas stopped playing football, he stayed involved in the sport. He helped train young players and worked to make football better in Peru. He also worked with FIFA to help develop football around the world. Today, many people in Peru still see him as their greatest football player ever.

Impact on Peruvian Football

Cubillas changed football in Peru. He showed that Peruvian players could be as good as players from anywhere in the world. Many young players in Peru wanted to be like him. He gave people hope that they could achieve their dreams through football.

Personal Life

Outside of football, Cubillas is known as a kind and humble person. He always remembers where he came from. He helps poor children in Peru through charity work. He wants to give other children the same chances he had in life.

Playing Style and Skills

Let's look at what made Cubillas special as a player:
- He could use both feet equally well
- He was very fast with the ball
- He could score goals from far away
- He was very good at free kicks
- He could pass the ball well to other players
- He worked hard for his team
- He was good at finding space on the football field

Important Dates in Cubillas's Career
- 1949: Born in Lima, Peru
- 1966: First professional game for Alianza Lima
- 1968: First game for Peru's national team
- 1970: Plays in his first World Cup
- 1975: Wins first league title with Alianza Lima
- 1978: Amazing performance in World Cup in Argentina
- 1982: Plays in his last World Cup
- 1984: Last professional game

Words People Used to Describe Cubillas
- Talented
- Skillful
- Hard-working
- Humble
- Professional
- Creative
- Inspiring

His Legacy

Today, Teofilo Cubillas is remembered as:
- Peru's greatest football player
- A role model for young players
- Someone who made Peru proud
- A player who scored beautiful goals
- A person who helps others
- A true sports hero

Simple Facts About Cubillas
- Height: 1.75 meters
- Position: Attacking midfielder/Forward
- Nickname: Nene (Baby)
- Famous for: Scoring goals
- Best skill: Free kicks
- Teams: Alianza Lima, Basel, Porto, Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- World Cups played: Three (1970, 1978, 1982)
- Total international goals: 26
- Total career goals: 513

Why He Was Special

Cubillas was special because:
1. He started very young
2. He played in three World Cups
3. He scored many beautiful goals
4. He made Peru famous in football
5. He stayed humble despite his success
6. He helped other people
7. He loved his country

Conclusion

Teofilo Cubillas showed that with hard work and talent, you can achieve great things. He came from a simple background but became one of the world's best football players. He made his country proud and helped many people. Even today, people in Peru and around the world remember him as a great player and a great person. His story teaches us that we should follow our dreams and never give up.

Simple Vocabulary List

Here are some important words from the text:
- Football = a sport played with a ball and feet
- Goal = when the ball goes into the net
- Talent = natural ability
- Skills = things you are good at
- World Cup = the biggest football tournament
- Free kick = a special kick after a foul
- Record = the best or highest number
- Legacy = what people remember about you
- Humble = not proud or showing off
- Charity = helping other people

Reading Comprehension Questions: Teofilo Cubillas Biography

Multiple Choice Questions

1. When was Teofilo Cubillas born?
a) March 8, 1959
b) March 8, 1949
c) May 8, 1949
d) March 18, 1949

2. Why did people call him "Nene"?
a) Because he was short
b) Because he was fast
c) Because he was the youngest player in his group
d) Because he looked young

3. How old was Cubillas when he played his first professional game?
a) 15 years old
b) 16 years old
c) 17 years old
d) 18 years old

4. How many World Cups did Cubillas play in?
a) One
b) Two
c) Three
d) Four

5. How many goals did he score in the 1970 World Cup?
a) Three
b) Four
c) Five
d) Six

True or False Questions

6. Cubillas could only play well with his right foot.
- True or False?

7. He played football in Switzerland during his career.
- True or False?

8. Cubillas scored 26 goals for Peru's national team.
- True or False?

9. He never won any league titles with Alianza Lima.
- True or False?

10. Pelé included Cubillas in his list of 125 greatest living football players.
- True or False?

Short Answer Questions

11. What was Cubillas's nickname and why was he given this name?

12. Name three countries where Cubillas played professional football outside of Peru.

13. What special skill was Cubillas famous for in football?

14. What did FIFA give Cubillas after the 1970 World Cup?

15. How does Cubillas help people in Peru today?

Discussion Questions

16. Why do you think Cubillas is considered Peru's greatest football player? Give three reasons.

17. What can we learn from Cubillas's life story?

18. How did Cubillas help change football in Peru?

Fill in the Blanks

19. Cubillas played his first game for Peru's national team in _______.

20. People called him "_______ of Peruvian Football" (The King of Peruvian Football).

21. In total, Cubillas scored _______ goals in his career.

22. His most famous game in the 1978 World Cup was against _______.

Matching

Match the year with the correct event in Cubillas's life:

23. Events:
- ___ Born in Lima
- ___ First professional game
- ___ First game for Peru
- ___ Last World Cup

Years:
a) 1982
b) 1949
c) 1966
d) 1968