| Luis Ernesto Tapia | |
| Full Name: | Luis Ernesto Tapia Pérez |
| Birth Date: | 21 October 1944 |
| Birth Place: | Panama City, Panama |
| Death Place: | Panama City, Panama |
| Position: | Forward |
| Youthyears1: | 1961–1962 |
| Youthclubs1: | Politécnica FC |
| Years1: | 1962–1963 |
| Clubs1: | Deportivo El Granillo |
| Years2: | 1963–1970 |
| Clubs2: | Alianza |
| Years3: | 1969–1970 |
| Clubs3: | Deportiva Galcasa |
| Years4: | 1970–1971 |
| Clubs4: | Atlético Marte |
| Years5: | 1971–1972 |
| Clubs5: | UES |
| Years6: | 1972–1974 |
| Years7: | 1974–1979 |
| Clubs7: | Provincia de Panama Metro |
| Years8: | 1979–1981 |
| Clubs8: | Atlético Ciudad de Panama |
| Nationalyears1: | 1963–1979 |
| Nationalcaps1: | 77 |
| Nationalgoals1: | 20 |
Luis Ernesto Tapia Pérez (21 October 1944 – 13 November 2024) was a Panamanian football forward, who is regarded as the best player ever in Panama.[1] [2]
Tapia was a member of the Panama national team between 1963 and 1979.
Tapia was raised in Barrio El Granillo, in Panama City[3] and debuted at a young age with Panama national team. During a tour of El Salvador, he was signed by Alianza.
Known as the "Central American Pele",[4] and "Cascarita", Tapia played primarily in El Salvador during the 1960s and 1970s, especially with the Alianza.[5]
On 19 March 1971, in the then Estadio Revolución, about 25,000 fans witnessed the match between Brazil's Santos and Primera División side Atlético Marte. The Brazilian team featured Pelé, while Tapia played for Marte.[6]
Tapia was part of the Panama team that participated for the first time in a World Cup qualifier. Tapia scored the first goal for Panama in a World Cup qualifier. He also toured with the Panama in Asia and scored 20 goals in 77 games for Panama.[7]
Tapia died from a heart attack in Panama City, on 13 November 2024, at the age of 80.[8]
In his honor, the Training Court next to Estadio Rommel Fernandez also known as mini-Rommel bears his name.
Scores and results list Panama's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Tapia goal.
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 31 March 1963 | Estadio Nacional Flor Blanca, San Salvador, El Salvador | 5–0 | 5–0 | 1963 CONCACAF Championship | ||
| 2 | 3 November 1969 | Independence Park (Jamaica), Kingston, Jamaica, Jamaica | 1–0 | 1–1 | 1969 CONCACAF Championship qualification | ||
| 3 | 4 April 1976 | Estadio Revolución, Panama City, Panama | 1–1 | 3–2 | 1977 CONCACAF Championship qualification |
Alianza
Aletico Marte
Juventud Olímpica