Adolfo Bautista

Adolfo "Bofo" Bautista Herrera (born May 15, 1979 in Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato) is a Mexico footballer (soccer) currently playing as an attacking midfielder for Jaguares de Chiapas. He is better known for his nickname of "Bofo", as well as for his shaved "bald head", triple digit jersey number, "100", and his tremendous passes. After his mother's death, he wore on his jersey "Bofo My Angel" as his mother would call him, he is also called this on FIFA 07. After Chivas de Guadalajara won the Apertura 2006 season, Bautista changed the back of his jersey to show a tiny set of angel wings.

Beginnings

Bautista made his debut with UAG Tecos on March 7, 1998 at the age of 18. He played with UAG Tecos from 1998–2002 where he scored 15 goals for the team in those four years. Bautista's first goal in the Primera División de México was in the Invierno 2000 tournament against Necaxa on September 17, 2000, where Tecos lost 3-1.

In late 2002, Bautista was transferred to Monarcas Morelia where he scored 8 goals in 21 games and was an important player on the squad. He made a deadly frontline with Chilean footballer Reinaldo Navia where together they packed over 15 goals for the team. He played for Morelia for two seasons, appearing in the Apertura 2002, Clausura 2003 tournaments where the team came second place and reached the championship finals in two consecutive seasons. It was believed that Monarcas Morelia was the club that launched Bautista's career.

In mid 2003, Bautista was transferred to CF Pachuca where much was expected from him, and very little was showed in the field, he spent most of his time on the bench. In 19 games, he scored only one goal against Jaguares de Chiapas and he struggled to find his form. Despite his poor performances, Pachuca still managed to reach the finals against UANL Tigres of Monterrey. UANL Tigres won the first of two games 1-0 at home and scored another goal in the return game in Pachuca's home stadium. Bautista scored a goal for Pachuca in the 77th minute and gave Pachuca a 3-1 victory over their opponent and took hold of the Championship title. Bautista's stay at Pachuca was marred with disputes with the coach Victor Manuel Vucetich, and he soon desired to leave the club.

Chivas de Guadalajara

After a long transfer period, Bautista was transferred to the "All-Mexican Team" in 2004, Chivas de Guadalajara. The Apertura 2004 season was one of Bautista's worst performance in his career, scoring three goals in 19 games. However, in the following season, he re-gained his form and had a successful tournament. In 2005, he participated in the Copa Libertadores cup in which their most noticeable win was over Boca Juniors in their home game 4-0. The away game was tied 0-0, and during a small turmoil after the game showed on tape where Boca coach Jorge José Benítez is caught on tape spitting in Bautista's face. Chivas went on and lost to Atletico Paranaense in a global score of 5-2. During the 2006 Apertura, Bautista led Chivas de Guadalajara to win the final against Club Toluca. Bautista is known for his creative "ball control", he takes pride in giving passes to his teammates and prefers to play as a Forward (soccer) and Midfielder. Bautista and his teammates Omar Bravo and Alberto Medina make a deadly offense to beat. On June 11, 2007 was transferred to Jaguares de Chiapas after Chivas' coach Jose Manuel de la Torre was not happy with Bautista after losing against rivals Club América in the Semi-Finals of the Clausura 2007 in which Bautista clearly did not do anything. He was put on the Transfer list along with Diego Martinez(who fell out of favor with Vergara).

Despite getting off to a slow start with Guadalajara, by the end of his time with the Chivas Bautista had become the man. Although he was never captain of the team, everyone knew who ran the show. A combination of incredible passes, and scoring prowess helped "El Bofo" in establishing a cult-like following amongst his fans. On June 11 2007 Bautista was transferred to Jaguares de Chiapas in what many think was the most important signing for any team. However, before being transferred he pleaded for another chance to stay. The decision came to Jorge Vergara who tried his best to make peace with Jose Manuel de la Torre and 'Bofo', but failed.

Jaguares de Chiapas

Bofo was sold to Jaguares de Chiapas for $5 million dollars and on August 4, 2007 Adolfo 'Bofo' Bautista played his first game with Chiapas who tied 1-1 against Atlante. Bautista was given the number 1 (which is mostly used by goalkeepers). On October 31, 2007 'Bofo' scored his second goal with the team against Veracruz. Bofo gave a good game to the fans. On the Primera División de México Clausura 2008 he seemed to gain back the form and skills he displayed when he played for Chivas de Guadalajara. Bofo helped the team get to the playoffs but they were eliminated by Cruz Azul in the quarter finals.

International career

Nevertheless his results in his International career have been seen as somewhat of a letdown. He has been criticized in the international arena for being a showman and inconsistent. Bautista was left out of Mexico's 23 man squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup tournament by former coach Ricardo Lavolpe; he has never played a FIFA World Cup tournament.

Bautista has been called up by coach Hugo Sanchez, to play in the Mexico national football team and has been capped 24 times (as of May 2007. He has scored eight goals with the Mexico national football team. Bofo was called to play with the Mexico national football team in a friendly game against Paraguay national football team on March 25, 2007. On that game Bofo helped Mexico national football team score a goal with a pass to Jared Borgetti. His ninth goal in the National Team came on March 28, 2007 on an international friendly match against Ecuador national football team. This late goal assisted by fellow Chivas de Guadalajara team mate Omar Bravo gave Mexico national football team a 4-2 win over Ecuador national football team. On June 17, 2007 in a quarter final match against Costa Rica national football team of the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup once again Bofo gave a pass to his teammate Jared Borgetti to scored the final 1-0 scored in Extra-Time. Bautista was called since 2007 Copa America to play a friendly match against the USA on February 6 2008 where Mexico tied 2-2 in the Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas. Bautista played 71 minutes and then was substituted for Zinha.

Trivia

- Bautista has used the number 1 kit number before. He used it in Chivas' CONCACAF Champions' Cup because a player may not have a number that has three digits or more.
- His nickname, "Bofo," came from when he was three years old; when people asked him his name he used to pronounce Adolfo as Bofo, because he couldn't say his name clearly.
- Many people compare him with Cuauhtémoc Blanco for his tremendous passes.
- One of Bofo's most famous goals was scored in the Estadio Jalisco against Boca Juniors, when Chivas won 4-0 in the Copa Libertadores 2005.

Honors

CF Pachuca
- Primera División de México - Apertura 2003

Chivas de Guadalajara
- Primera División de México - Primera División de México Apertura 2006