Claudio Bravo life and biography

Claudio Andrés Bravo Muñoz (born April 13, 1983 in Viluco, Greater Santiago) is a Chilean footballer who plays for Spanish second division club Real Sociedad, as a goalkeeper. He is also a Chilean international.

Colo-Colo

Bravo's father recognized his son's emerging talent and took him to Colo-Colo's youth academy, and he eventually made his professional debut in 2002. There, he was given the nickname Condor Chico, after former club goalkeeper Roberto Rojas.

After an injury to Eduardo Lobos, manager Jaime Pizarro gave Bravo his first chance, which would be however short-lived, as he too was injured, which prompted the subsequent signing of Jonny Walker.

Bravo recovered from injury in mid-2003 and with Lobos still injured, he took over the starting role, which he would never lose again, with his competitor eventually being sold. In the 2003 Apertura and Clausura tournaments, Colo-Colo made the final in both seasons, falling to Cobreloa both times. In 2006, Bravo won his first title with Colo-Colo, in the Apertura. In the final, against arch-rival C.F. Universidad de Chile, he made an acrobatic save to give Colo-Colo the title in penalties.

Real Sociedad

For 2006–07, Bravo signed a five-year contract with Real Sociedad, in a reported €1.2 million deal. He and Asier Riesgo formed the youngest pair of goalkeepers in that Spanish topflight season. The Chilean started on the bench, but eventually gained the battle for first-choice (29 matches to nine), as the Basque side was relegated for the first time ever (despite this, Bravo finished in fifth place for the Ricardo Zamora Trophy that season, with a goal-against average of 1.00). His debut came on October 22, 2006, in a 0–0 draw at RCD Mallorca.

The following season, Riesgo reclaimed his spot as first-choice. For 2008–09, after a loan to the former, to Recreativo de Huelva, Bravo was again the starter, but Real remained in level two.

On February 14, 2010, Bravo scored the first goal of his career, from a direct free kick against Gimnàstic de Tarragona, the game's only in a home triumph. However, shortly after, he suffered a severe knee injury during Real Sociedad's 0–2 loss at Córdoba CF, which rendered him unavailable for the remainder of the season.

International career

Bravo represented Chile at U-17, U-20 and U-23 levels. He made his debut with the main side on July 11, 2004 against Paraguay, in the 2004 Copa América, and retained his place for the rest of the 2006 World Cup qualifiers.

Bravo was again called for duty in the 2007 Copa América, held in Venezuela, where he started all four games. He became national side captain after Marcelo Salas announced his international retirement.

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