Santiago Cordero has announced his retirement from Los Pumas. Saturday’s test match in Salta, Argentina against Uruguay will be his last. Cordero hangs-up his boots 12 years after making his test debut for Los Pumas against England as a teenager.
| RETIREMENT CALL – SANTIAGO CORDERO |
“After many incredible years with Los Pumas, the time has come to close this era. I decided to take a step away from the test team. The distance from my wife and children has become increasingly more difficult, and today they are my priority.”
“From my heart I say thank you to my teammates, trainers, staff and everyone who has always encouraged me. And with some special gratitude to my parents and my friends, who have stuck with me throughout every step of the journey. I leave with a heart full of joy and gratitude.”
| HISTORY MAKING MATCH WINNER FOR ARGENTINA |
Cordero recently had the opportunity of scoring a match-winner for Argentina. It was no ordinary game; rather, it was the one in a generation fixture against the British & Irish Lions. Cordero scored a second-half try. The try ultimately was the difference between winning and losing.
| CAREER – SANTIAGO CORDERO |
Santiago Cordero played in every elite professional league. The product of Club Regatas Bella Vista in Buenos Aires played Super Rugby, English Premiership, Top 14 and United Rugby Championship (URC). Yet, before he played in any of them hie left a lasting impression at Rugby World Cup 2015.
Cordero’s pathway to the top was no surprise to those who saw him play as a junior. He played for Argentina at the World Rugby u20 Championship in 2012 and did so again in 2013. He was also playing for Los Pumas 7’s back in 2012.
2013 saw Cordero making his test debut on the November tour. Cordero earned his first cap as a teenager against England in London. He debuted under Daniel Hourcade who had recently replaced Santiago Phelan as Head Coach.
Hourcade went on to make Cordero his first-choice right winger. Cordero and Juan Imhoff formed a combination in 2015 that was far different to wingers who had played for Los Pumas ago previous Rugby World Cups.
Cordero scored a double against Georgia and one against Tonga. He was Man of the Match in the victory over Georgia at Gloucester. He went from scorer to provider in the Quarter Final against Ireland. Cordero had two assist tries in the opening quarter. He set-up Matías Moroni with a pass and Juan Imhoff scored after chasing his kick.
Like many Pumas from Rugby World Cup 2015, Cordero signed a Super Rugby contract with Los Jaguares. He played two seasons for the Argentine franchise before continuing his career in Europe. From 2017-2025 he played for the Exeter Chiefs in England, Bordeaux in France and Connacht in Ireland. He was named in the official European Champions Cup Team of the Season in 2021.
Cordero’s final cap will be his 56th. The match in Salta against Uruguay gives the winger an opportunity to conclude on home soil on his own terms. He hangs up his boots with a Rugby World Cup Semi Final to his name and with test match victories over the likes of France, Ireland, New Zealand and South Africa.
| HIGHLIGHTS – SANTIAGO CORDERO |
