|
FACTFILE
|
| Born: |
2 Sep 1961 |
| Caps: |
111 |
| Goals: |
10 |
|
--
|
WORLD
CUP FACTFILE
|
Participated
1990, 1994, 1998
Games/Goals
10/1
|
--
|
Carlos Valderrama
(Colombia)
This colourful
and talented midfielder has been regarded as one of the very best in his position in South
America over the past decade or so. Valderrama made his debut for Colombia in October
1985 losing 3-0 to Paraguay, but established himself soon and won the captaincy at an early
age. At clublevel, he started playing for Colombia’s first division side Union Magdalena in
1981. He also played for Millionarios and Deportivo Cali before he signed for French side
Montpellier in 1988, a club he won a French Cup championship with two years later.
Valderrama also played for Spanish team Valladolid before he returned home to his native
Colombia to play for Atelitico Junior where he also won two league championships.
Known as “El Pibe” (the kid), Carlos Valderrama is easy
recognizable with his big curly blonde hair and all his jewelry. He was an accurate passer of
the ball and a playmaker of finest caliber. He is also one of very few players to have
captained his country in three World Cups. His biggest World Cup moment was when he
dribbled past several players and delivered a pinpoint pass to teammate Rincon who scored
the necessary equalizer three minutes into injurytime against eventual winners West
Germany in 1990. That goal meant Colombia qualified to the second round.
In 1994, Colombia were one of the hottest candidates to
win the World Cup, much thanks to a 5-0 thrashing of Argentina in Buenos Aires in the qualifying rounds, and even
though Valderrama was on top of his game, Colombia disappointed a lot and got knocked
out already in the first round. Neither in France four years later, at the age of 37, could “El
Pibe” and his teammate get past the first round. He joined Tampa Bay Mutiny in the MLS in
1996 where he has had success as one of the best players.
| HOME
| 1990 | 1994
| 1998 |
|
[HOME]
BACKGROUND
Info on how
the World Cup was founded and about the trophy as well. |
THE
WORLD CUPS
Detailed info
on every match in every tournament. |
COLUMNISTS
Interesting columns about the past, present and future of the World Cup. |
THE
NATIONS
Every nation
with appearances in the World Cup. Detailed info on every country. |
LEGENDS
Player profiles
of many of the most influential players in history. |
A-Z STORIES
An A-Z collection
of strange and different stories in World Cup history. |
STATISTICS
A big collection
of various statistics and records. |
MASCOTS
Every mascot
since it was introduced in 1966. |
QUIZ
Test your
knowledge about the WC. Three different levels. No prizes, just for fun. |
TOP
10 RANKINGS
Rankings of
lots of stuff. For instance Best Goals, Best Players and Best Matches. |
LINKS
Our collection
of links to other soccer sites with World Cup connection. |
LINK
TO
Some banners
and buttons for you to link to us if you want. |
ABOUT
US
A little information
on who keeps this site available. |
|
