Humberto Suazo
A stocky, cold-blooded goal poacher whose lethal left foot and celebratory thumb-suck made him a folk hero in Chilean football.
Born 1981 (age 45)·Chilean footballer·Birthday: May 10·Millennials
Biography
Humberto 'Chupete' Suazo was not a prototypical striker. He lacked blazing speed or towering height, but what he possessed was an almost psychic sense of positioning and a left foot that could punish any defensive lapse. His career was a story of prolific scoring across the Americas, from tearing up the Chilean league with Colo-Colo to becoming a fan favorite at Monterrey in Mexico, where he led the team to multiple titles. Suazo's defining trait was his clutch mentality; he thrived in big moments, carrying the scoring load for the Chilean national team during a resurgent era. His playful 'Chupete' (lollipop) nickname and signature goal celebration—sucking his thumb—belied a fierce competitor who understood the geometry of the penalty area better than almost anyone of his generation.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Humberto was born in 1981, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Humberto Was Born
The biggest hits of 1981
#1 Movie
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Best Picture
Chariots of Fire
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Humberto's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1981Born
MTV launches; first Space Shuttle flight; AIDS identified
Gas: $1.31/galHome: $52,300Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Bette Davis Eyes" — Kim CarnesBest Picture: Chariots of Fire
1986Started school
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1994Became a teenager
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
1997Could drive
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
1999Could vote
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2002Turned 21
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2011Turned 30
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2021Turned 40
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 45 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the Copa Sudamericana in 2006 with Colo-Colo, scoring in the second leg of the final.
- Led the Mexican Primera División in scoring in the 2007 Apertura and 2010 Bicentenario tournaments while with Monterrey.
- Was the top scorer in South American qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup with 10 goals for Chile.
- Helped CF Monterrey win three consecutive CONCACAF Champions League titles from 2011 to 2013.
Did You Know?
His nickname 'Chupete' (meaning pacifier or lollipop) originated from his childhood habit of sucking his thumb.
He began his professional career at the relatively late age of 20 with Magallanes in the Chilean second division.
He scored four goals in a single match for Monterrey against Puebla in 2010.
“The goal is always there; you just have to be in the right place to meet it.”
