crack

star player, ace

noun krak Rare

Origin: Borrowed from English 'crack', originally meaning a sudden loud noise, later a champion.

Also means

crash (financial)

Usage Note

Crack (also spelled crac) is a sports loanword used across Latin America and Spain to describe an exceptionally talented player: es un crack del fútbol. Informally it is used as a general compliment (¡Eres un crack! — 'You're amazing!'). In financial contexts, el crack del 29 refers to the Wall Street Crash of 1929. Plural: cracks.

Examples

"Messi es considerado el crack de su generación."

Natural Translation

Messi is considered the star player of his generation.

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