Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez is the hottest property in Chilean football and it’s only a matter of time before he overtakes this legend as the country’s top-scorer.

Salas, who turns on Christmas eve, was one of the deadly strikers at his prime. A powerful and tenacious forward, who had good technique with his deft touch and aerial ability, had a prolific scoring record scoring 157 goals in 341 games.

Having won titles in Chile and Argentina, he moved to Lazio in 1998 and enjoyed his most successful stint, scoring 34 goals in 71 appearances. He claimed the Serie A title, UEFA Super Cup and Coppa Italia, before winning two more league crowns with Juventus in an injury-hit spell.

He rediscovered his form with Universidad de Chile before retiring in 2008. He still remains Chile’s top-scorer with 37 goals.

Other sport stars born this day

1973: Eddie Pope, retired American footballer, who spent most of his career with DC United (43).

1980: Stephen Appiah, former Ghana footballer, who played for Juventus and Fenerbache (36).

1984: Wallace Spearmon, American athlete, who won world gold in the 4x100m relay (32).

1990: Ryo Miyake, Japanese fencer, who won team silver in the 2012 Olympic Games (26).