After coming through their youth ranks, Villalobos made his senior debut for Alajuelense on 9 May 1971 against rivals Saprissa and he scored his first goal on 12 April 1972 against Ramonense.
He made his debut for Costa Rica in an August 1972 friendly match against Mexico and collected a total of 9 caps, scoring 1 goal.
Villalobos played for Costa Rica at the 1975 Pan American Games.
[2] Nicknamed el Cadáver,[3] Villalobos has managed the Big Four clubs of Costa Rica as well as the national team on two occasions.
[5] His son Walter Villalobos also is a professional football player.