Diego Gabriel Rivarola Popón (born July 14, 1976) is an Argentine naturalized Chilean former professional footballer who played as striker.

Career

Rivarola was born in Mendoza, Argentina. As a child, he was with Club Leonardo Murialdo in Mendoza, next he was formed in the lower River Plate, but did not debut with the first team. Later he moved to Platense, where he played eight games. In 1997, he was hired by Santiago Morning, of Chile until 2000 when he would join Universidad de Chile. His first stint with the Santiago-based club would last five years (interrupted by a brief stay at Mexican Atlas in 2002), during which he became one of the most liked players of the team, due in part to his performances at the derbies against Colo-Colo. With Universidad de Chile, Rivarola would win the Chilean National Championship in 2000 and Apertura Tournament in 2004. At the beginning of 2006, and after conflicts with then coach of the Universidad de Chile, Héctor Pinto, Rivarola signed with Argentinos Juniors, but failed to establish himself as part of the team's starting 11 and moved to the Venezuelan club UA Maracaibo few months later. In mid-2007 and for Torneo de Clausura, he signed with Palestino of Chile, led by his former Universidad de Chile teammate, Luis Musrri. After playing for Santiago Morning, Rivarola moved back to Universidad de Chile, eventually appearing in the 2010 Copa Libertadores. On 2011 he won the Apertura Tournament with La "U" after six years from his last championship. On August 28, 2011, he scored his 100th goal with Universidad de Chile in a match against Universidad de Concepción for the Clausura Tournament.

Post retirement

In 2016, Rivarola represented the futsal team of Universidad de Chile in the national championship of the ANFP alongside another former football players such as Nelson Pinto, César Henríquez and Juan González. In June 2024, Rivarola played for club Vicente Pérez Rosales from Puerto Montt at the Copa Chile in the 0–3 loss against Universidad de Concepción. From 2012 to 2022, Rivarola worked as an ambassador of Universidad de Chile, at the same time he was in charge of both the business and marketing areas. In February 2022, he joined ESPN Chile, along with the former footballer Jean Beausejour, as a football commentator and analyst.

Career statistics

Honours

Universidad de Chile