José María Rivas (12 May 1958 – 9 January 2016) was a Salvadoran footballer who spent his playing career with several clubs in El Salvador and represented the national team internationally. Born in the capital city, San Salvador, Rivas developed into a recognized figure in Salvadoran football during the 1970s and 1980s. Basic career records and summaries are available in contemporary player listings and archives (player profile).
Club career
At club level Rivas played for a number of teams, moving between established domestic sides. His club affiliations included Independiente, Atlético Marte, San Pedro, Huracán and Cojutepeque. These teams reflect a career spent largely within the Salvadoran league system, where he competed in national championships and cup competitions. A concise list of the clubs associated with him is often cited in historical rosters and local sports sources (career statistics).
International career
Rivas appeared for the El Salvador national team 22 times. Those appearances, commonly called "caps," indicate his role as a recurring selection for national duty during his playing years. Official national team records and tournament archives contain details on the matches and competitions in which he took part (national team archive).
Contemporary accounts describe him as a committed professional who contributed to both club and country during a period of competitive domestic football. While not every match or goal is widely documented in popular summaries, Rivas is part of a generation of players who maintained the national game and helped sustain local club traditions. His name appears in club histories and in matchday programs from the era.
After retiring from active play, former players like Rivas are often remembered for their presence in local football communities and for mentoring younger athletes. The exact details of his post-playing involvement are limited in public sources, but his passing prompted remembrances from clubs and supporters who recalled his time on the field.
Death and legacy: José María Rivas died on 9 January 2016 from leukemia at the age of 57. Reports of his illness and death were noted in local press and football bulletins (health report), and tributes highlighted his contributions to Salvadoran football. For more on the context of his life and career, see retrospective articles and memorials maintained by clubs and sports historians (San Salvador tributes, player profile).
- Full name and dates: José María Rivas, 12 May 1958 – 9 January 2016.
- Club teams: Independiente; Atlético Marte; San Pedro; Huracán; Cojutepeque.
- International: 22 caps for El Salvador (national records).
Rivas is remembered as part of El Salvador's football fabric: a domestic club player who also carried his country's colours on the international stage. For primary documentation, consult archived match reports, club histories and national team records referenced above (career statistics, obituary notice).