carlos Valderrama 9781422226612, 1422226611

Citation preview

SUPERSTARS

OF

SOCCER

CARLOS

VALDERRAMA TO THE TOP! 2004: 1998: 1996: 1995: 1993: 1990: 1988: 1987: 1981: 1961:

Retired from soccer on February 1 Last match for Colombia’s national team, June 26 Named Best Player in the MLS Joined the MLS (Tampa Bay Mutiny) Junior Champion in Barranquilla Champion in Junior of Barranquilla Voted the best player in America Athlete of the Year in Colombia Debut in the World Cup on June 9 in Bologna, Italy Hired by Montpellier of France Voted the best player in America Debut as a professional soccer player March 15 Carlos Valderrama born on September 2

© 2013 by Mason Crest, an imprint of National Highlights, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission from the publisher. ISBN-13: 978-1-4222-2661-2 (hc) — 978-1-4222-9202-0 (ebook) Printing (last digit) 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Printed and bound in the United States of America. CPSIA Compliance Information: Batch #S2013. For further information, contact Mason Crest at 1-866-MCP-Book. About the Author: Juan Domingo Chacoff is a Chilean journalist and television producer who has lived for over 25 years in the USA. He has worked for various publications such as the weekly The World in Los Angeles and the sports magazine Don Balón of Spain. He has worked on radio for the BBC and ESPN and in television on Telemundo, CBS Telenoticias, Univision, and Fox Sports. Photo credits: EFE: 4; EFE/Bevilacqua/yv: 22; EFE/Víctor Lerena: 24; EFE/Nestor Ponce: 18; EFE/Rafa Salafranca: 1; Getty Images: 21; Bob Thomas/Getty Images: 12; Bongarts/Getty Images: 15; Shutterstock.com: 2, 8, 14; Wikimedia: 10, 28.

TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1. The Architect of Achievement

5

CHAPTER 2. A Star is Born

9

CHAPTER 3. Idol of the Crowds

13

CHAPTER 4. The Rite

19

CHAPTER 5. His Last Adventure

25

CARLOS VALDERRAMA BY THE NUMBERS

29

GLOSSARY

30

FURTHER READING / INTERNET RESOURCES

31

INDEX

32

Carlos Valderrama defending the colors of his country.

CHAPTER 1

The Architect of Achievement Place: Monumental Stadium, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Date: September 5, 1993. The Colombian national team led by coach Francisco Maturana, was playing their last cards to attend the 1994 World Cup USA. The Colombian National Team, affectionately known as “Cafeteros” (coffee growers), had to win to earn a ticket to the greatest festival of the soccer world. The task would not be easy. The 41st minute of the first half, a precise Argentinian National team was a pass from Carlos “El Pibe” (“The formidable rival. They had home field Kid”) Valderrama to Freddy Rincón advantage and would be supported by led to the first Colombian goal. The over 75,000 frenzied fans. As if that score announced that this would be were not enough, Argentina needed to one of the darkest nights in the history win

in

order

to

ensure

their of Argentina soccer.

participation in the World Cup.

In the second half, El Pibe began to

From the referee’s starting whistle, operate at his full capacity in midfield, the Argentines came out giving it all with passes to his teammates. they had. The team repeated one attack after another, but the coffee growers put up a firm defense. In the

5

6

Carlos Valderrama

After 20 minutes into the second half, Argentina was much better. Colombia had already taken a 4-0 lead

El Pibe raised his arms skyward in

over the Albiceleste. The skillful Faustino thanks. The crowd still stood and Asprilla made a goal at the 49th minute. applauded while the other Colombian Then it was Freddy Rincón’s turn again at players arrived where El Pibe was the 62nd. Two minutes later Asprilla gave standing and imitated the gesture. After the

Argentinian

goalkeeper

Sergio the

applause,

the

stands

of

the

Goycochea a second dose. Just to put the Monumental Stadium became silent icing on the cake, the “Tren” (train) again. The Argentinian players left the Adolfo Valencia made Colombia’s final field if they had witnessed the death of a goal at 84th minute, 5-0.

relative. Colombia qualified for the World Cup

What a humiliation!

while Argentina was left licking its

Even the most pessimistic Argentine fans wounds. The Albiceleste was forced to could not have imagined such a tough play a playoff match with Australia, after loss. Argentina had never lost with home experiencing the worst beating it had ever field advantage in a world qualifier game received. for the World Cup. The symbol of this great deed was a

Remembering the Win

blond afro hair man with the number 10, Some time ago, El Pibe recalled the great whom they called El Pibe. Argentinian achievement in an interview conducted fans stood and began to applaud the by the Argentinian Sports Magazine El daring handful of Colombians. Among Grafico. “That was an unforgettable day, those applauding was the great Diego for the players who experienced it, for the Maradona, who on the day before the people of Colombia, for everyone. It was game had declared on television that a game, in which the Colombian National Argentina would beat Colombia, because Team took advantage of the moment,” in

soccer,

according

to

Maradona, said Carlos Valderrama.

During his career Valderrama played a total of 111 games for the Colombian National team. These can be broken down as follows: 10 games in the World Cup, 30 World Cup qualifying games, 27 games in the Copa América (American Cup) tournament, and 44 friendly matches.

The Architect of Achievement

7

Defeated coach Alfio Basile also had Valderrama made 12 goals while weaing the jersey of the Colombian national team.

something to say. “I would like to never remember that game again. It was a failure. It was the day I wanted to dig a hole and bury myself,” recalled Basile. It goes far beyond the game, the

Another of the great protagonists of qualification for the world cup, the goals, the epic was the Colombian coach the best player—the national team won Francisco Maturana, who will always the most beautiful miracle of all: to remember this unique day. “It was a very bestow happiness to a people who are important game, I will not deny. It meant tired of suffering and mourning. Many our passport to the World Cup. We won people felt like this victory was the party with authority. In that game Colombia that life owed to the Colombians. graduated,” claimed the coach.

The beaches of Taganga, located in Santa Marta, are visited by thousands of tourists throughout the year. El Pibe has said that one of his favorite games as a small lad was to go to the beach with a group of his friends and collect coins. The tourists threw coins into the sea from a little bridge and made a wish. The Colombian boys would wait till nightfall to seize the coins.

CHAPTER 2

A Star is Born WITH HIS STRIKING BLEACHED BLOND HAIR, which is his trademark, Carlos Valderrama is the best Colombian player of all time. A man who laughs very easily but prefers to speak few words, El Pibe is without a doubt a worldwide star of soccer. Carlos

Alberto

Valderrama

“We were a family of the lower

Palacios was born on September 2, middle class. My father was a soccer 1961, in the sunny city of Santa Marta player and then, when he retired, he on the Caribbean coast of Colombia. began teaching mathematics,” recalled Santa Marta is the cradle of great El Pibe in an interview with the players. In Valderrama’s family, soccer magazine El Grafico. “My mother was was a mandatory sport. And why not! a housewife. We always had food. His

father

Charles

“Jaricho” Sometimes we ate once a day, because

Valderrama played for the Unión there wasn’t anything left.” Magdalena club. His uncle Paul “El

His father was the one who gave

Toto” Valderrama was a left winger of him his first ball and his first soccer great qualities. His mother’s brothers, shoes, when Carlos just began to learn Justo and Aurelio Palacios, played on how to walk. the very same team.

In the popular neighborhood “El

During those years life was not easy, especially for a large poor family. There were ten children in the Valderrama family, six girls and four boys.

9

10

Carlos Valderrama

have enough money to feed his large family so during the week he went around selling ice cream on the street. That helped him a lot in life, because he learned how to be independent. Due to soccer El Pibe never opened his notebooks and books at night. He definitely was not a good student. His strength was on the soccer field. Carlos quickly became famous thanks to his exquisite style of play. At the age of 14 he was chosen to play for the Outside the stadium Eduardo Santos of the city of Santa Marta this gigantic statue was built portraying the best Colombian footballer of all time. This is the work of the artist Amilkar Ariza.

Unión Magdalena club. Where did the nickname “The Kid” come from? Carlos has answered this question many times. He explained, “When my father played for the Unión

Pescaíto” (the little fish) Valderrama Magdalena team, the coach, an began to experience his first touches of Argentine named Rubén Deibe, would good soccer. At the beginning, kids from ask my father every time he would bring one street would play against from me to the field ‘where’s the kid?’ Hence another street, then kids from one the nickname.” neighborhood

against

another

neighborhood. These were games where

His Stay in Prison

fighting was not needed.

In 1980, Carlos experienced one of the

From these games on the dusty streets worst episodes of his life. He was playing also emerged his two brothers Roland in his first season with Unión Magdalena and Alan, two former professional soccer at the age of 19. El Pibe lived through players, as well as his cousin Didi, a difficult times, with Colombia under famous football player who also wore the terrorist attacks from guerrilla group Mshirt of the Colombian national team.

19. Police and Colombian Army troops

Carlos was about 14 or 15 years old, tightened security measures throughout when he realized that his father did not the country.

A Star is Born

11

It was in those difficult times that was not the worst episode of his life. Valderrama and a group of his friends According to him, the worst happened on were arrested while consuming cinnamon July 2, 1994, the day a hired assassin shot buns and soft drinks a neighborhood his teammate Andrés Escobar twelve shop.

times outside a nightclub in the city of

Law enforcement officials took the Medellin. boys to the police station, where they were asked to identify themselves. One of

Soccer Start

the staff believed that El Pibe was making Carlos Valderrama graduated from high fun of him and as a result he attempted school in the Lyceum of Celedon in 1979. kick him in between the legs, Carlos After this, his great story of soccer began. On March 15, 1981, El Pibe debuted

struck back and the officer fell to the ground. Carlos managed to flee, but was in

the

first

division

with

Unión

detained again a few blocks later and Magdalena, the team he loved, in a game taken to a prison.

against Santa Fe in Bogotá. His first

Upon learning of his son’s arrest, coach was Perfecto Rodriguez, a former Jaricho Valderrama went to his aid. He player of the Independent Medellin. That hired a lawyer friend who told him that same year he was summoned to join the due to the delicate situation of the youth team of Colombia, which was led country and with Prevailing Security Act, by Julian Retat. Carlos could be sentenced for several

In 1984, when El Pibe was 23 years

years in prison because he had assaulted old, he was offered a contract with Bogota a police officer.

Millonarios, one of the top teams of

At the end, the problem was worked Colombian soccer. Not much happened out, and El Pibe only had to spend a little with him, though, so Millonarios sold him more than three weeks behind bars.

a year later to Deportive Cali for

However, Valderrama says that this approximately $25,000.

Carlos Valderrama in his debut at the 1990 World Cup at the Emirates Stadium.

CHAPTER 3

Idol of the Crowds IT WAS AT DEPORTIVE CALI that El Pibe began writing his extraordinary story. Under the command of Yugoslavian coach Vladimir Popovic, Valderrama received international attention. “I blew up and I was known as a soccer player outside of Colombia. We formed a terrible duo with Bernardo Redín. We played with eyes closed,” recalled the player. With his big blond hair and his not move much, but was always in the socks pulled down, El Pibe dazzled right place to receive or pass the ball. everyone with his soccer skills, full of This was his greatest strength as a touches,

dribbling,

and

accurate player. His one weakness was that he

passing. Cali had become a real did not head (pitch) the ball well at all. steamroller, winning two consecutive El Pibe was also not a great defender. sub-championships.

In

1987,

Francisco

“Pacho”

El Pibe’s hair is a story in itself. He Maturana asked El Pibe to play for the started to let it grow when he was a national team in the 1987 Copa teenager, something his mother did América (American Cup) tournament, not like at all. And eventually he began which took place in Argentina. to dye his hair blond. Today, he says

El Pibe scored a goal in the 2-0 win

he never goes to the barber. Instead, against Bolivia in the first round and his wife is in charge of keeping his hair in good condition. Valderrama understood how to position himself on the field. He did

13

14

Carlos Valderrama

led his team’s 3-0 victory over Paraguay. affect the psyche of its rivals and they Colombia reached the semifinals, where certainly can feel it.” the Cafeteros were defeated, 2-1, by Chile.

Carlos Valderrama belongs to a very rare breed of soccer players—those who

In the match for third place, Colombia use their head instead of their feet. He defeated the reigning world champion, had a great view of the entire playing Argentina, in their own backyard by a 2- field, and always played with the ball as 1 score. The Argentine team included close to his feet as possible. He was such greats as Diego Maradona and his known for short passes, in-wall moves, friend Claudio Caniggia.

forwards and serving teammates to finish

Valderrama did not go unnoticed. In the attacks. Each time he sent a pass, his fact, he was voted best player of the Copa partner always received the ball with América tournament. At the end of 1987 space, to reduce the risk of losing the he was named “best player in America” ball. by the newspaper Uruguayan El Pais. In an interview with the newspaper El Tiempo, coach Maturana explained that

Playing French Soccer In 1988 European football came to his

Valderrama was the mastermind of the door. Montpellier HSC in France offered Colombian national team. “Just having El Pibe a contract for $2.5 million, and he him on the field, allows Colombia to took it. His teammates for Montpellier

At Montpellier, Valderrama was a teammate of Laurent Blanc, the great French defender.

Idol of the Crowds

15

El Pibe wrestles for a ball with West Germany’s Thomas Haessler during the 1990 World Cup tournament in Italy.

included the French star Laurent Blanc because club president had given me a and Cameroon’s legendary striker Roger contract without consulting him.” Milla.

But as time went on El Pibe began to

Valderrama, at age 27, was the first demonstrate his worth and was able to Colombian soccer player to be hired by a gain more playing time. French team. However, his time in France was not all rosy.

A Great Moment

“The first six months I spent learning El Pibe has told interviewers about one of the language,” El Pibe recalled. “Besides, the happiest days of his life. “As a soccer the coach, Pierre Mosca, had already player, to qualify for World Cup with formed the team and I was not in his Colombia. Especially the 1990 World plans. He said that I would not play Cup. It was the very first after so many

16

Carlos Valderrama

prevent his accurate passes. The gigantic El Pibe played professionally for 10 clubs: 5 at home in Colombia, one from France, one from Spain, and three from the United States.

German star Klaus Augenthaler even had to give Valderrama several kicks in order to stop his talent. Neither team scored until there were just two minutes left in the game. At that

years. It was our opportunity to return to time West Germany’s Pierre Littbarski the world championship of futbol with a defeated Colombian goalkeeper René talented group of players,” Valderrama Higuita with a well-placed shot. Things said. After

looked bleak for Colombia. an

absence

of

28

years,

Colombia qualified to play in the 1990 World Cup in Italy. The Cafeteros were dealt a very difficult hand by being placed in a tough group that included West Germany, Yugoslavia, and the United Arab Emirates.

Leonel Alvarez recovered the ball. He passed the ball to Luis Fajardo, who sent it over to Valderrama. The ball was in the middle of the field at San Siro stadium in Milan. The time of the game was past 90 minutes. El Pibe saw Andrés Estrada on his left

A game of dreams

side. He looked at him, but passed to his

Colombia defeated the United Arab right side, where Freddy Rincón was Emirates team 2-0, thanks to goals from standing alone. Without waiting a Bernardo Redín and Carlos Valderrama. moment, Rincón entered the area and The team then lost, 0-1, to Yugoslavia and scored with a soft shot through the legs of then played a memorable game against the West German goalkeeper. The game ended in a 1-1 tie. The World Cup game

West Germany. The

West

Germans

resorted

to was one of the greatest moments in

violations in order to slow El Pibe and Colombian soccer history.

Valderrama does not compare himself to any player, although he has spoken about some of the great players that he admires, such as the Frenchman Zinedine Zidane, the Brazilian Ronaldo, and the Argentines Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi, Juan Sebastian Veron, and Juan Roman Riquelme. His favorite Colombian player of today is the attacking midfielder Giovanni Hernandez.

Idol of the Crowds

17

Thanks to the tie, the coffee growers advanced to the second round of the World Cup. Now they faced in the second round the fearsome Cameroon squad, which

had

defeated

On June 26, 1998, Valderrama put on the shirt of the Colombian national team for the last time. He was 36 years old.

Maradona's

Argentina team as well as Romania in Group B.

favor of the Africans. Colombia was

The match was very even. After 90 eliminated from the 1990 World Cup. minutes ended the score was still 0-0. The

Nonetheless, for Valderrama the best

game went into overtime, during which game would always be the 1-1 tie with Roger

Milla

scored

two

goals

for West Germany in the 1990 World Cup.

Cameroon. Although Redín scored one West Germany went on to win the Cup for the Cafeteros, the game ended 2-1 in that year.

CHAPTER 4

The Rite AFTER ATTENDING THE WORLD CUP OF ITALY, VALDERRAMA RETURNED to Montpellier in France. The club had hired a new coach, the Polish Henri Kasperczak, who did not hesitate to give El Pibe a starring role on the team. The squad won the French Cup and Valderrama became the team’s leading player. Kasperczak

spoke

well

of national team. Maturana was awaiting

Valderrama. “He is the patron of the his arrival. team,” the coach said. “He is the boss.”

A new European adventure began

“Valderrama gave life to the ball, for the Colombian midfielder. At Real playing mostly in short passes, the Valladolid, both his Colombian teamfirst touch,” commented Stephane mates, goalkeeper Rene Higuita and Paille, a former Montpellier striker. midfielder Leonel Alvarez, were active “Carlos always made the appropriate on the team. They did not have a good pass at the right time.”

season,

due

After completing his contract in organizational

to

economic

problems

on

and the

France, El Pibe packed his bags and Spanish team. After the season Real moved to Spain. He joined the Real Valladolid was relegated to the second Valladolid club for the 1991-92 divison. season. The Real Valladolid coach was his countryman Francisco Maturana, who also coached the Colombian

19

20

Carlos Valderrama

While he was in Spain, Valderrama transferred

to

Atlético

Junior

of

gained international fame for an incident Barranquilla for $1 million. that

occurred

in

a

game

between

Valladolid and Real Madrid. It was not a

The Homecoming

particularly good game.

Wearing the colors of Junior, Valderrama

The game did not go down in history, had one of his best years as a player in but the Spanish midfielder Míchel of Real 1993. His team won the local tournament Madrid became so frustrated with Carlos and he was named Athlete of the Year in Valderrama’s play that he decided on an Colombia. unusual way to throw El Pibe off his

The night that the Junior won the

game. As he walked past El Pibe to give a championship in 1993, several players corner kick for Real Madrid, Míchel celebrated at a nightclub with a few sqeezed Valderrama’s balls. Television drinks. The table where Valderrama sat, cameras and photographers captured was filled with friends and journalists. everything. Míchel was sanctioned by One was Estéwil Quesada, the sports editor of the regional newspaper El UEFA for this unsportsmanlike act. Years later, Míchel admitted that Tiempo. He asked Valderrama, “Pibe, Valderrama had bothered him the whole doesn’t it bother you that [striker Ivan game, so he decided to squeeze his balls. Rene] Valenciano earns more money than El Pibe, on the other hand, laughed off you, even though you are the team’s star Míchel’s attempt to provoke him as just and captain?” Valderrama then gave a lesson in humility with his answer.

part of the game.

When Valderrama’s adventure in Spain “Valenciano has to charge more than came to an end, El Pibe returned home in everyone because it is he who scores the early 1992. He signed a contract with goals,” he said. “I just make passes.” Independiente Medellin, which paid about

$500,000.

After

a

year

The legendary Argentine coach Cesar

he Luis Menotti once described El Pibe as a

Carlos had a terrifying experience in 1989, when he was traveling with his Colombian teammates to Israel. Due to bad weather, the plane began to move in the air. The turbulence was so bad that all occupants of the plane began to scream. Fortunately the airplane arrived safely.

The Rite

21

Carlos Valderrama fights for the ball during a 1995 game with the Tampa Bay Mutiny.

22

Carlos Valderrama

The Colombian national team poses at the River Plate stadium before its World Cup qualifying game against Argentina in April 1993.

“wizard of intelligence. He is able to know

the

location

of

his

As the 1994 World Cup approached,

fellow El Pibe returned to play for Colombia.

teammates without having to look at Colombia was playing at a very high level, them and he is able to pass them the ball to the extent that the soccer world noted as if he were throwing it with his hand.”

the team as one of the favorites to obtain

In the 1993 Copa América, which the title. took place in Ecuador, the coffee growers

The team qualified for the world cup

came in third place. El Pibe led the team, after humiliating Argentina, 5-0, in and he was voted the best midfielder in Buenos Aires. the tournament. Just as in 1987, the newspaper newspaper Uruguayan El Pais

An Unfortunate Stumble

named Valderrama “Best Player in But the 1994 World Cup turned into a America.”

nightmare for Valderrama and millions of

The Rite

23

Colombians. The Cafeteros arrived in the United States as favorites. They left in disgrace after being eliminated in the first

In his honor, a musical duo was formed in Argentina called “Illia Kuryaki and the Valderramas.”

round. Colombia lost 1-3 to Romania and 1-2 to the United States in their group. They

were

only

able

win

against

Switzerland, 2-0.

But in soccer there is always another game to play. El Pibe focused on his

One of the victims of this debacle was team, Junior de Barranquilla. He helped the defender Andrés Escobar, who during the club win another title in 1995. the game against the United States,

A few years ago the great Argentine

unfortunately, scored an own goal. The player Diego Armando Maradona mistake cost Escobar his life. On his referred to El Pibe on the radio program return to Colombia, he was murdered in Caracol. “The Kid and I offer joy to cold blood.

people and we both love the game, we’re

When asked why Colombia failed at very similar,” Maradona said. “Carlos was the 1994 World Cup, Valderrama told the a very brainy player. Always reacting one magazine El Grafico, “We were surprised or two second earlier than other players, to lose to Romania, they made two goals he always knew what had to be done even in the first half of the game. We tried to before receiving the ball and delivered it attack back, but we could not do perfectly. I will always admire him.” anything.”

CHAPTER 5

His Last Adventure AS PART OF ITS BID TO HOST THE 1994 WORLD CUP, a league called Major League Soccer was formed in the United States. In 1995 El Pibe joined one of the new MLS teams, the Tampa Bay Mutiny, and played 43 games with the club. The sale of Valderrama was made

Colombia was ranked third in the

for $600,000 and a two-year contract, enormous South American qualifying with an option for it to be increased to pool, behind Paraguay and Argentina, three years. El

Pibe’s

who also won entrance to the 1998 talent

did

not

go World

Cup.

As

captain

of

the

unnoticed in the United States. In Cafeteros, Carlos Valderrama was 1996, Tampa Bay won the MLS East again one of the bulwarks of his team. Conference. Valderrama was named the Most Valuable Player of MLS.

Colombia began the World Cup tournament in Group G, along with

In the middle of his American England, Romania, and Tunisia. The adventure, Colombian coach Hernan coffee growers lost their debut game Dario Gomez called again on El Pibe against

Romania,

0-1,

defeated

to join the Colombian national team, Tunisia 1-0, and lost to England, 0-2. which was preparing for the 1998 World Cup in France.

25

26

Carlos Valderrama

With such a small harvest of points,

“The shirt not tucked in, socks half

Colombia was eliminated in the first down, long hair that falls almost to his round of the tournament.

shoulders

in

curls,

crooked

legs,

After this, El Pibe rejoined MLS for neglected mustache. And a parsimonious several more seasons with Tampa Bay walk that seem carelessness, a face that is Mutiny and Miami Fusion. He played almost always serious. All this together until the 2000 season in the MLS Dream suggests that this character could not Team.

The Last Station

possible be a soccer player. He appeared be more like a modern singer. Or either a bum either, an idle or a ‘wealthy man.’

In 2001 he joined the Colorado Rapids, And in some extreme cases, a soccer the last team in his brilliant soccer career. player who is messy, vulgar and rude. There he played his last professional “Unlike those who kick the ball match at 41 years of age in 2002.

anywhere on the field, Carlos Valderrama

“In December 2002 I ended my has been known since childhood as ‘El contract with the Colorado Rapids and I Pibe’: an exquisite player, placed on the thought that it was time to say goodbye,” court to impose order, to guide his peers Valderrama recalled. “It was rather an and to delight the audience with his art, easy decision because I took my time to which is a compendium of geometric decide. figures, with pinpoint passes and great “I was recruited for the sole purpose fake outs. And that is how soccer art is to help popularize soccer in the U.S. and done, conceived and developed by Carlos I think I’ve succeeded,” Valderrama also Valderama.” said on more than one occasion.

The legendary captain of Colombia

During his MLS career, Valderrama officially retired from the field on Sunday set a league record with 114 assists February 1, 2004, at a farewell game that (passes that led to a goal). This record was held at the Metropolitano stadium in would stand until 2007, when it was Barranquilla before an audience of surpassed by Steve Ralston. The late journalist Poveda Favio, who

60,000 people. Among those who were present were

knew Valderrama very well, described the the Paraguayan goalkeeper Jose Luis Colombian star in his book The Kid: From Chilavert, Chilean striker Ivan Pescaíto to Glory: Zamorano, Mexican Jorge Campos, the

His Last Adventure

27

Uruguayan striker Enzo Francescoli, Marta a giant sculpture was erected with midfielder Alex Aguinaga of Ecuador, his image that is about 6 feet high. and Argentina's Ariel Ortega, who were members of the Foreign Stars team.

The "Other" Valderrama

The Colombian team was led by In Carlos Valderrama’s own words, had it Carlos Valderrama and his friends, such not been for soccer, he might have very Rincon, well studied dentistry, since those small Mauricio Serna, Alexis Mendoza, Jorge appliances used by dentists really Bermudez, Leonel Alvarez, Adolfo appealed to him. as

Rene

Higuita,

Freddy

Valencia, and Ivan Valenciano.

Carlos Valderrama currently lives in

After the game, Valderrama stopped Tampa, Florida, with his family. He is the for a few minutes upon leaving the locker father of six children from various room. “For my mother swore, when I saw relationships. El Pibe was married very young to the stadium so full, my legs trembled,” he said. “I was elated.” El Pibe began to cry Claribeth Galvan, a woman from the because it was the end of his career. coast of Colombia, with whom he had Soccer was going to become part of his three children: Alan, who played football but withdrew; Kenny, who studies and past. In the background you could see the plays for the University of the Caribbean; street full of hundreds of fans, who and Carlos Alberto, who grew up in waited for El Pibe to step outside, Tampa and became a basketball player. regardless of the fact that it had been

From

his

second

marriage,

to

more than an hour since the final whistle Redondo Elvira, who has lived several of the match. They wanted to honor him. years in the United States, were born The man is so revered that in twins Stéphany and Carla, who are November 2002 outside the stadium already teenage girls. Santos Eduardo in the city of Santa

He is also the father of Carlos Alberto,

Like anyone else, Carlos Valderrama has people who he admires. He has said that some of his idols include the great writer Gabriel García Márquez, the renowned sculptor Fernando Botero, and pop stars Shakira and Carlos Vives. All of them are Colombians.

28

Carlos Valderrama

Carlos “El Pibe” Valderrama is considered by many people to be the best player in the history of Colombia. Pelé included him in his list of the Top 100 players in the history of FIFA.

Pibe organizes party once a year where he invites greats an illegitimate son that El Pibe had been soccer players. foced to recognize by law. Curiously

He is still bound to the MLS as an

enough, this son is very much like his instructor, offering training in different father. Not only does he have his name, areas of the United States. he is 19 years old playing in the Sub 20 division of Santa Fe in Bogotá. After

leaving

soccer,

And of course, he spends his spare time with his family. He enjoys visiting

Valderrama other cities, he loves the beach, watching

devotes part of his time to develop DUO good

movies,

listening

to

music,

Foundation, which was created to help especially salsa, vallenato, and merengue. children

and

youth

with

limited Tito Rojas and Gilberto Santa Rosa are

resources. As a means to raise funds, El his favorite musicians.

Carlos Valderrama by the Numbers 21 years as a professional soccer player (347 games). 10 teams hired his services (Unión Magdalena, Millionaires, Deportivo Cali, Independiente Medellin, Junior of Barranquilla, Montpellier in France, Real Valladolid of Spain and the Tampa Bay Mutiny, Miami Fusion and United States Colorado Rapids. 2-time champion with the Junior of Barranquilla (1993, 1995). 1 time France Cup champion on Montpellier. 3 World Cups showcase his talent (1990 in Italy, 1994 in the United States, and 1998 in France). 111 games on Colombia’s national team. 12 goals with the national team 2 times voted the Best Soccer Player in America (1987 and 1993) 1 time Sportsman of the Year in Colombia (1993) 1 time Most Valuable Player of MLS (1996) At the request of FIFA, in 2004 Pelé made a list of the 100 best players of soccer in the world who are still living. Of course, that list could not be completed without including Carlos Valderrama. Pele’s list also included 14 French, 14 Italians, 12 Brazilians, 12 Dutch, 10 Argentinians, 9 Germans, and 7 English players.

GLOSSARY assist—when a player passes the ball to another player and that player finishes the play by scoring. Cafeteros—referring to coffee growers (nickname given to the Colombian national team) Cumbia—Popular folk dance in Colombia. defender—a player who helps to protect the goal area and blocks attacks by the opponent. Within the defense there are various positions: central defender, side defender, and free defender. extra time—playing time added to the end of a soccer match to make up for lost time caused by interruptions during the match due to fouls, injuries, or warnings. goalkeeper—player in charge of the goal; he is the only one allowed to use his hands in the game. group stage—stage in the World Cup competition where teams play a short tournament before entering a qualifying stage. hat trick—when one player scores three goals in a single match. jersey—sports clothing that covers the player’s upper body and serves to identify the team for which he plays. knockout round—stage in certain competitions where the team that loses a match is out of the entire competition. MLS—Abbreviation for the U.S. Major League Soccer. midfielder—player in charge of building up the attack from the middle of the field. referee—a judge in charge of making sure the rules of the game are followed, and who settles conflicts. Soccer—the term used to describe European football in the United States. vallenato—music and popular Colombian folk dance accompanied by the accordion. World Cup—most important soccer competition in the world, organized by FIFA.

FURTHER READING Favio Poveda Márquez, “El Pibe, the Glory of Pescaíto.” Bogotá: Editorial Printer Latinoamericana Ltd., 1994. Eduardo Arias, “The Great Golden Star.” Bogotá: El Tiempo, 1988.

INTERNET RESOURCES www.solofutbolnet.com Biography and photos of Carlos “El Pibe” Valderrama. www.colombialink.com Information about Carlos “El Pibe” Valderrama. www.dailymotion.com Exclusive video interview with Carlos “El Pibe” Valderrama. www.fifa.com Official web site of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the international governing body of futbol (soccer).

INDEX Ariza, Amilkar, 10 Álvarez, Leonel, 16, 19, 27 Atlético Junior, 20, 23 Asprilla, Faustino, 6 Argentina, 5, 6, 7, 14, 17, 22 Augenthaler, Klaus, 16 Barranquilla, 20, 26 Basile, Alfio, 7 Bermúdez, Jorge “El Patrón,” 27 Blanc, Laurent, 14, 15 Bogotá, 9, 13 Bogotá Millonarios, 11 Bolivia, 13 Buenos Aires, 5 Caniggia, Claudio, 14 Chile, 14 Colombian national team (Cafeteros), 4–7, 12, 13–14, 15–17, 18, 22–23, 24, 25–26 Colorado Rapids, 26 Copa América, 13–14, 22 Deibe, Rubén 10 Deportive Cali, 11, 13

Medellin, 11 Mendoza, Alexis, 27 Menotti, Cesar Luis, 20 Míchel, 20 Miami Fusion, 26 Milla, Roger, 15, 17 Montpellier HSC, 14–15, 19 Mosca, Pierre, 15 Palacios, Aurelio (uncle), 9 Palacios, Justo (uncle), 9 Popovic, Vladimir, 13 Real Madrid, 20 Real Valladolid, 19, 20 Redín, Bernardo, 16, 17 Retat, Julian, 11 Rincón, Freddy, 5, 16, 27 Rodriguez, Perfecto, 11 Romania, 17, 23, 25 Santa Marta, 8, 9, 10, 27 Serna, Mauricio, 27 Switzerland, 23 Tampa Bay Mutiny, 21, 25, 26

Elvira, Redondo (wife), 27 Escobar, Andrés, 11, 23 Estrada, Andrés, 16

Unión Magdalena, 9, 10, 11 United Arab Emirates, 16 United States, 23, 25, 27, 28

Fajardo, Luis, 16 Galvan, Claribeth (ex-wife), 27 Gomez, Hernan Dario, 25 Goycochea, Sergio, 6 Haessler, Thomas, 15 Higuita, Rene, 16, 27 Independiente Medellin, 11, 20 Independiente Santa Fe, 11 Italy, 15, 16, 19 Kasperczak, Henri, 19

Valderrama, Alan (brother), 10 Valderrama, Carlos “El Pibe” arrest of, 10–11 birth and childhood of, 8, 9–11 professional career of, 10–11, 14–15, 19–20, 21, 23 with national team, 4–7, 12, 13–14, 15–17, 18, 22–23, 24, 25–26 after retirement, 27–28 Valderrama, Charles “Jaricho” (father), 9, 11 Valderrama, Paul “El Toto” (uncle), 9 Valderrama, Roland (brother), 10 Valencia, Adolfo José “El Tren,” 6, 27 Valenciano, Ivan Rene, 20, 27

Littbarski, Pierre, 16 Major League Soccer (MLS), 25–26 Maradona, Diego, 6, 14, 17, 23 Maturana, Francisco “Pacho,” 5, 7, 13, 19

West Germany, 15, 16–17 World Cup, 5, 15–17, 22–23, 25–26 Yugoslavia, 16