Oscar Cordoba Colombian footballer, goalkeeper Date of Birth: 03.02.1970 Country: Colombia

1. Oscar Cordoba: Colombian Football Legend
2. Early Career
3. Rise to Prominence
4. European Adventure
5. Return to Colombia and Retirement
6. International Career

Oscar Cordoba: Colombian Football Legend

Oscar Cordoba is a Colombian football player, best known for his performances as a goalkeeper for clubs such as Boca Juniors, Besiktas, America de Cali, Millionarios, and Deportivo Cali, as well as the Colombian national team. He was a winner of the 2001 Copa America and participated in the 1994 and 1998 World Cups. Cordoba also achieved multiple victories in domestic and international club tournaments.

Early Career

Cordoba began his professional career in 1988 with Atletico Nacional. Just a year later, the club won the first-ever Copa Libertadores in Colombian football history. However, it was challenging for the young player to secure a place in the starting lineup alongside stars like Rene Higuita. In 1989, Cordoba joined Deportivo Cali, another prestigious club. Despite fierce competition, he continued to gain experience and was loaned to Deportes Quindio in 1990.

Rise to Prominence

Throughout the 1990s, Cordoba played for several clubs, eventually cementing his place in the starting lineup for America de Cali. In 1996, America reached the Copa Libertadores final for the fourth time but once again fell short, losing to River Plate from Argentina. In 1997, Cordoba transferred to Boca Juniors in Argentina, marking the beginning of a new era for both the club and the goalkeeper. With Boca Juniors, Cordoba won three Argentine championships, two Copa Libertadores titles, and the Intercontinental Cup in 2000. At the turn of the century, he was recognized as one of the best goalkeepers in the world.

European Adventure

In 2002, Cordoba moved to Europe. After a six-month stint with Perugia, he signed a contract with Besiktas in Istanbul, where he enjoyed four successful seasons, competing in the UEFA Champions League and winning the Turkish Cup.

Return to Colombia and Retirement

In 2007, Cordoba returned to Colombia, initially joining Deportivo Cali and later moving to Millionarios in 2008, the clubs where he began his career. In 2008, he was nominated for the Fox Sports Hall of Fame for his outstanding career. In November 2009, Cordoba, who suffered from chronic back pain, announced his retirement from professional football after the Clausura 2010 season.

International Career

Oscar Cordoba made his debut for the Colombian national team on March 31, 1993, in a friendly match against Costa Rica, which ended in a 4-1 victory for Colombia. Within a year, he became the team's main goalkeeper at the 1994 World Cup in the USA. However, Colombia failed to advance beyond the group stage. In 1998, Cordoba also participated in the World Cup, but the role of the starting goalkeeper was held by another Colombian football legend, Farid Mondragon. By 2003, Cordoba had amassed 68 appearances for the Colombian national team, becoming the record holder for most matches played by a goalkeeper. In the same year, Colombia played a home match against Argentina, in which Cordoba made a severe mistake, essentially gifting a goal to Argentine forward Hernan Crespo. Despite not being called up for the national team for the next three years, Cordoba made three final appearances for Colombia in 2006.