Chilean footballers, first supporters of protesters

If Garry Medel earned his nickname "pitbull" on the field because of his fierce commitment, the Chilean defender does not hesitate to intervene muscled in the public sphere. The player, who plays in the Italian club FC Bologna, was one of the first to react to the statements of the Chilean President Sebastian Pinera when he explained that his country was in the grip of a real "war", after the first days of protest against social inequalities.

"A war involves two camps and we are just one people who demand more equity We do not want more violence We ask the authorities to say what they will do to solve social problems", tweeted Gary Medel on October 21st.

1 guerra necesita 2 bandos and acos somos 1 solo pueblo quiere igualdad 🇨🇱. No queremos + violencia. Nesitanos q autoridades digan q van a cambiar para resolver los social problems. hablan delitos y no soluciones al problema de fondo 🤷♂️🤷♂️ # chiledesperto #nomasabusos pic.twitter.com/miQ2yhRFqo

The player, who had seen red against Argentina at the last Copa America, has since returned to the charge, asking the Chilean political representatives "to stop their circus" after a suspension of sitting in the Chamber of Deputies, reminding them of the need to find agreements "for the good of the country".

Goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, a Manchester City player, is also closely following developments in Chile. And if his words are more measured, he is clearly on the side of the demonstrators who are trying to achieve social progress. "They have sold to the private sector our water, our light, our gas, our education, our health, our retreats, our roads, our forests, the Atacama salar, the glaciers, the means of transport ... What more?" wondered this experienced player in a tweet published October 19.

The example of Carlos Caszely

He and Gary Medel have logically welcomed the huge event that took place Friday, October 25 in the streets of the capital: more than a million people have participated in this historic mobilization marked by rare incidents. They were joined by Roja star striker Alexis Sanchez, who commented from Milan where he played Inter: "Chile woke up, listen to the people!"

Coming from a very modest background, Arturo Vidal also wanted to show his support to all those who suffer in his native country and fight for "a better Chile". The FC Barcelona midfielder has launched a "Viva Chile" calling on the population to demonstrate in peace.

Buscando a mejor Chile para todos !!! 🇨🇱🇨🇱🇨🇱🇨🇱 a manifestarse con tranquilidad y sin violencia !!! 😉🙏🏼🇨🇱❤️🇨🇱❤️
¡¡¡VIVA CHILE !!! 🇨🇱🇨🇱🇨🇱 pic.twitter.com/R5KTRgBBQ2

Now out of the national team, side Jean Beausejour has agreed to speak directly about the situation in his country, where he plays under the colors of the club Universidad de Chile. In the past, he has shown his support for the indigenous people, the Mapuches, who are trying to defend their rights against major mining or forestry companies in the south of the country. "Politicians have not generally been up to par, nobody can be the mouthpiece of this discontent, but I think this is a unique opportunity to recognize the mobilization of people, I do not know. if, as a country, we will have another opportunity to do it, "said the player on the radio.

An interview in which Beausejour is aware that his stated political views are not shared by all his teammates in the national team. But he insists on the importance of "taking sides for something". Remarks that echo the commitment of one of his illustrious predecessors under the shirt of Roja, striker Carlos Caszely. At the end of 1973, when the Chilean team was received at the Moneda presidential palace after obtaining their qualification for the 1974 World Cup, this communist militant refused to shake the hand of the strongman of the country, Augusto Pinochet, who had taken power by arms a few weeks ago.