Manuel Andrés Araya Ramos (born 30 November 1958) is a Chilean former footballer who played as a defender.
Born in Ovalle, Chile, Araya is a historical player of the local team, Deportes Ovalle. In 1983, he joined Cobresal, winning the Segunda División and getting the promotion to the Chilean Primera División. He was part of the successful stint between 1984 and 1986, becoming the runners-up in the 1984 Primera División and taking part in the 1986 Copa Libertadores.
In the Chilean top level, Araya also played for Everton de Viña del Mar in 1987 and Deportes La Serena in 1988âÂÂ89.
Abroad, Araya played for Primera División de México club Tampico Madero ion 1986âÂÂ87.
Araya represented the Chile national team twice in the 0âÂÂ0 draw against England on 17 June 1984 and the 1âÂÂ1 draw against Brazil on 7 May 1986, playing alongside Manuel Pellegrini.
Previously, he represented Chile at the 1984 CONMEBOL Pre-Olympic Tournament, where they became the runners-up. However, he did not enter in the final squad for the 1984 Summer Olympics.
Araya is better known by his nickname Lechuga (Lettuce) due to the fact that he grew that vegetable while also his hairstyle.
On 12 March 2022, some media reported his death by misunderstanding with the homonym Manuel "Lechuga" Araya, a historical player of Curicó Unido.