| Luis Ernesto Tapia | |
| Fullname: | Luis Ernesto Tapia Pérez |
| Birth Date: | 21 October 1944 |
| Birth 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 (born October 21, 1944, in Panama) is a retired football forward, who is regarded as the best player ever in Panama.[1] [2]
He was a member of the Panama national football 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 football 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 March 19, 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]
He 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]
In his honor, the Training Court next to Estadio Rommel Fernandez also known as mini-Rommel bears his name.[8]
Scores and results list Panama's goal tally first.
| Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 31 March 1963 | 5–0 | 5–0 | 1963 CONCACAF Championship | |||
| 2 | 3 November 1969 | 1–0 | 1–1 | 1969 CONCACAF Championship qualification | |||
| 3 | 4 April 1976 | 1–1 | 3–2 | 1977 CONCACAF Championship qualification |