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Carlos ValderramaFormer Colombian football player
Date of Birth: 02.09.1961
Country:  Colombia |
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Biography of Carlos Valderrama
Carlos Valderrama, a former Colombian footballer, is a record holder for the most number of appearances for the Colombian national team with 111 matches. He was twice named South American Footballer of the Year. In addition to his playing and leadership qualities, Valderrama was also known for his unique hairstyle. He is the only Colombian footballer to be included in FIFA's list of the 125 greatest footballers.
Early Life and Career
Carlos Valderrama was born into a family of professional footballers. His father, Carlos Valderrama Sr., played for Union Magdalena. His uncle, Toto Valderrama, played for Cyclone Bananero. His cousin, Alex Valderrama, also played football and even became the top scorer of the Colombian championship at one point. In his hometown, a monument has been erected near the entrance of the stadium in his honor.
Football Career
Valderrama's exceptional vision of the field set him apart on the pitch. In the 93rd minute of a match against the German national team at the 1990 World Cup, Valderrama provided an assist to Freddy Rincon, who scored against Bodo Illgner, resulting in a draw for the Colombian national team. This goal allowed them to advance to the second round of the tournament for the first time in history.
Retirement and Coaching Career
Carlos Valderrama retired from football on February 1, 2004, after his farewell match that featured Diego Maradona, Enzo Francescoli, and Jose Luis Chilavert. After retiring as a player, Valderrama pursued a coaching career. Currently, he has not yet taken charge of a team independently but works as an assistant coach for Junior FC. On November 1, 2007, his intense reaction to the referee's decision led to disorder during a match between Junior FC and America de Cali.
