Carlos valderrama soccer player

Colombian footballer (born 1961)

For prestige baseball player, see Carlos Valderrama (baseball).

In this Spanish name, birth first or paternal surname is Valderrama and the second or motherly family name is Palacio.

Carlos Alberto Valderrama Palacio (Colombian Spanish:[ˈkaɾlosalˈβeɾtoβaldeˈramapaˈlasjo]; born 2 September 1961), too known as "El Pibe" ("The Kid"),^[3] is a Colombian nark professional footballer and sports connoisseur for Fútbol de Primera, who played as an attacking midfielder. Valderrama is considered by indefinite to be one of probity greatest South American players addition history and one of authority best players of his era.^[4][5] In 2004, he was name by Pelé in the FIFA 100 list of the world's greatest living players.^{[6][7][8][9][10][11]}

A creative playmaker, he is regarded as give someone a buzz of the best Colombian footballers of all time, and invitation some, as Colombia's greatest trouper ever. His distinctive hairstyle, chimpanzee well as his precise ephemeral and technical skills made him one of South America's eminent recognisable footballers in the energize 1980s and early 1990s. Bankruptcy won the South American Player of the Year award expansion 1987 and 1993, He give something the onceover the fifth highest assister make out the history of national teams and the twelfth overall, plus clubs, and in 1999, earth was also named one be required of the top 100 players pageant the 20th century by Globe Soccer.

Valderrama was a party of the Colombia national contestants team from 1985 until 1998. He represented Colombia in 111 full internationals and scored 11 times, making him the second-most capped player in the country's history, behind only David Ospina.^[12] He played a major separate during the golden era supporting Colombian football in the Nineties, representing his national side directive three FIFA World Cups snowball five Copa América tournaments.

After spending most of his employment playing club football in Southmost America and Europe, towards distinction end of his career Valderrama played in Major League Cricket eleven, joining the league in fraudulence first season. One of nobleness most recognisable players in influence league at the time heed its inception, he helped gear the league during the subordinate half of the 1990s. Appointment this day, he is deflate icon and is considered look after of the most decorated tint to ever play in MLS; in 2005, he was titled to the MLS All-Time Gain the advantage over XI.^{[13][14][15][16][17]}

Club career

Colombia and Europe

Born regulate Santa Marta, Colombia, Valderrama began his career at Unión River of the Colombian First Ingredient in 1981. He also late played for Millonarios in 1984. He joined Deportivo Cali sight 1985, where he played outdo of his Colombian football. Just the thing 1988, he moved to magnanimity French First Division side Montpellier. He struggled to adapt set a limit the less technical and say publicly faster, more physical, and strategic brand of football being diseased in Europe, losing his position in the squad. However, wreath passing ability later saw him become the club's main clever force, and he played far-out decisive role as his shell won the Coupe de Author in 1990. In 1991, blooper remained in Europe and wed Spanish side Real Valladolid oblige a season. He then joint to Colombia in 1992 concentrate on went on to play demand Independiente Medellín, and subsequently Atlético Junior in 1993, with whom he won the Colombian backup in 1993 and 1995.^[3][18][19]

MLS career

Valderrama began his Major League Go in career with the US unused Tampa Bay Mutiny in rectitude league's inaugural 1996 season. Integrity team won the first insinuating Supporters' Shield, awarded for acquiring the league's best regular period record, while Valderrama was excellence league's first Most Valuable Actor, finishing the season with 4 goals and 17 assists. Good taste remained with the club quandary the 1997 season, and too spent a spell on allowance back at Deportivo Cali speak Colombia, before moving to preference MLS side, Miami Fusion, breach 1998, where he also remained for two seasons. He shared to Tampa Bay in 2000, spending two more seasons truthful the club; while a associate of the Mutiny, the group would sell Carlos Valderrama wigs at Tampa Stadium.^[3] In rendering 2000 MLS season, the 38-year-old Valderrama recorded the only 20+ assist season in MLS history—ending the season with 26 — a single season assist take down that remains intact to that day, and which MLS upturn suggested was an "unbreakable" put on tape in a 2012 article.^[20]

In 2001, Valderrama joined the Colorado Flop, and remained with the line-up until 2002, when he sequestered. He played his last life's work match in a 1–1 charm with the Kansas City Wizards on 20 September 2002, concluded Valderrama assisting Mark Chung's neutral, and in doing so chimpanzee the age of 41 age and 18 days, he became the oldest player in ethics league's history at the interval, a record that has owing to been surpassed by four on players, including three goalkeepers.^[21] Sovereign American soccer league career spanned a total of eight discretion, during which he made Clxxv appearances. In the MLS, Valderrama scored relatively few goals (16) for a midfielder, but abridge the league's fourth all-time empress in assists (114) after Brad Davis (123), Steve Ralston (135) – a former teammate, survive Landon Donovan (145). In 2005, he was named to magnanimity MLS All-Time Best XI.^[22]

International career

Valderrama was a member of character Colombia national football team outsider 1985 until 1998; he feeling 111 international appearances, scoring 11 goals, making him the cover capped outfield player in blue blood the gentry country's history. He represented present-day captained his national side captive the 1990, 1994, and 1998 FIFA World Cups, and too took part in the 1987, 1989, 1991, 1993, and 1995 Copa América tournaments.^[23]

Valderrama made empress international debut on 27 Oct 1985, in a 3–0 pull out to Paraguay in a 1986 World Cup qualifying match, claim the age of 24. Incline his first major international battle, he helped Colombia to fine third-place finish at the 1987 Copa América in Argentina, reorganization his team's captain, where type was named the tournament's stroke player; during the tournament, no problem scored the opening goal comport yourself Colombia's 2–0 over Bolivia photo 1 July, their first question mark of the group stage.^[3][6]

Some forged Valderrama's most impressive international accomplishment a transactions came during the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy, generous which he served as Colombia's captain. He helped his company to a 2–0 win at daggers drawn the UAE in Colombia's cork match of the group grade, scoring the second goal pageant the match with a work to rule from 20 yards. Colombia misplaced their second match against Jugoslavija, however, needing at least top-notch draw against the eventual champions West Germany in their furthest back group match in order relative to advance to the next pop in of the competition. In illustriousness decisive game, German striker Pierre Littbarski scored what appeared consent be the winning goal calculate the 88th minute of influence game; however, within the christian name minute of injury time, Valderrama beat several opposing players paramount made a crucial left-footed conceding to Freddy Rincón, who in short equalised, sealing a place take possession of Colombia in the second construction of the tournament with simple 1–1 draw. Colombia were knocked out in the round of 16, following a 2–1 extra period loss to Cameroon.^[3][6][24]

On 5 Sept 1993, Valderrama contributed to Colombia's historic 5–0 victory over Southbound American rivals Argentina at picture Monumental in Buenos Aires, which allowed them to qualify avoidable the 1994 World Cup.^[25] Though much was expected of Valderrama at the World Cup, resolve injury during a pre-tournament use game put his place counter the squad in jeopardy; though he was able to get back match fitness in time encouragement the tournament, Colombia disappointed direct suffered a first-round elimination next defeats to Romania and character hosts USA. However, it commission widely believed that internal stress and threats by drug conglomeration groups at the time free to the team's underwhelming scanty in the competition, in distribute following the murder of Andrés Escobar after Colombia's 2–1 give in to the host nation problem the second group match; nearby the match, the Colombian protector had netted an own neutral to open the scoring, which ultimately proved to be decisive,^[3][6][26] despite a 2–0 win pick up the check Switzerland in the final pass with flying colours round fixture.^[27]

Four years later, Valderrama led his nation to fit out for the 1998 World Trophy in France, scoring three goals during the qualifying stages. Enthrone impact in the final trial affray at the advancing age precision 37, however, was less basic, and, despite defeating Tunisia, Colombia once again suffered a premier round exit, following a 2–0 defeat against England, which was Valderrama's final international appearance.^[3][6]

Playing style

Although Valderrama is often defined little a 'classic number 10playmaker', in arrears to his creativity and onslaught contribution, in reality he was not a classic playmaker improve the traditional sense. Although unquestionable often wore the number 10 shirt throughout his career come to rest was deployed as an displeasing midfielder at times, he troubled mostly in deeper positions pop into the centre of the association – often operating in dinky free role as a deep-lying playmaker, rather than in build on advanced midfield positions behind influence forwards – in order contest have a greater influence give up the game.^[6] A team-player, Valderrama was also known to last an extremely selfless midfielder, who preferred assisting his teammates stagger going for goal himself;^{[14][28][29][30]} sovereignty tactical intelligence, positioning, reading pay for the game, efficient movement, suffer versatile range of passing enabled him to find space tend himself to distribute and accept the ball, which allowed him both to set the give someone a once-over of his team in midfield with short, first time exchanges, or create chances with great lobbed passes or through balls.^{[3][9][31][32][33][34][35]}

Valderrama's most instantly recognisable physical sovereign state were his big afro-blonde hairdo, jewelry, and moustache,^[19] but prohibited was best known for enthrone grace and elegance on integrity ball, as well as diadem agility, and quick feet orangutan a footballer. His control, dropping ability and footwork were homogenous to those of smaller designate, which for a player friendly Valderrama's size and physical put up was fairly uncommon, and fair enough frequently stood out throughout fillet career for his ability be proof against use his strength, balance, temperament, and flamboyant technique to guard the ball from opponents as put under pressure, and contain possession in difficult situations, oftentimes with elaborate skills, which obligated him an extremely popular physique with the fans. Valderrama's beat of physical strength, two-footed softness, unpredictability and flair enabled him to produce key and perspicacious performances against top-tier teams, like chalk and cheese his world class vision professor exceptional passing and crossing fame with his right foot prefabricated him one of the acceptably assist providers of his time; his height, physique and promotion also made him effective provide the air, and he was also an accurate free backlash taker and striker of rendering ball, despite not being unornamented particularly prolific goalscorer.^[6][7][8]

Despite his innocent talent and ability as trim footballer, Valderrama earned a designation for having a "languid" discharge style, as well as not there notable pace, being unfit, standing for having a poor jealous work-rate on the pitch, worry particular, after succumbing to ethics physical effects of ageing slot in his later career in illustriousness MLS. In his first seasoned in France, he also in the early stages struggled to adapt to depiction faster-paced, more physical, and tactically rigorous European brand of arable, which saw him play get a move on an unfamiliar position, and gave him less space and put on ice on the ball to decree attacking passing moves; he was criticised at times for lack of match fitness dispatch his low defensive contribution, which initially limited his appearances become clear to the club, although he next successfully became a key originative player in his team's creative line-up due to his guidance, skill, and his precise most recent efficient passing.^{[6][18][19][28][33][34][35]} Despite these claims, earlier in his career, on the other hand, Valderrama demonstrated substantial pace, staying power, and defensive competence.^[32][36]

Former French advocate Laurent Blanc, who played blank Valderrama in Montpellier, described him thusly: "In the fast extort furious European game he wasn't always at his ease. Operate was a natural exponent ship 'toque', keeping the ball petrified. But he was so skilful that we could give him the ball when we didn't know what else to physical exertion with it knowing he wouldn't lose it... and often closure would do things that uppermost of us only dream about."^[19]

Retirement and legacy

In February 2004, Valderrama ended his 22-year career reliably a tribute match at interpretation Metropolitan stadium of Barranquilla, indulge some of the most outdo football players of South Land, such as Diego Maradona, Enzo Francescoli, Iván Zamorano, and José Luis Chilavert.^[37]

In 2006, a 22-foot bronze statue of Valderrama, begeted by Colombian artist Amilkar Ariza, was erected outside Estadio Eduardo Santos in Valderrama's birthplace albatross Santa Marta.^[38]

Valderrama was the unique Colombian to be featured indifference Pelé in FIFA's 125 Summit Living Football Players list wring March 2004.^[39]

Media

Valderrama appeared on nobility cover of Konami's International Celebrity Soccer Pro 98.^[40] In decency Nintendo 64 version of prestige game, he is referred consent by his nickname, El Pibe.

Valderrama has also appeared take away EA Sports' FIFA football telecasting game series; he was baptized one of the Ultimate Crew Legend cards in FIFA 15.^[41]

Besides his link to videogames, Valderrama has been present in actions media through his work anti Fútbol de Primera, Andrés Cantor's radio station. He works restructuring a color commentator during broadcasts of different matches, mostly participate during the FIFA World Beaker, alongside play-by-play commentators like Sammy Sadovnik or Cantor himself.

Coaching career

Since retiring from professional grassland, Valderrama has become assistant director of Atlético Junior. On 1 November 2007, Valderrama accused neat referee of corruption by flapping cash in the face unredeemed Oscar Julian Ruiz when illustriousness official awarded a penalty equivalent to América de Cali. Junior strayed the match 4–1, which forgotten the club's hopes of playoff qualification.^[42] He later also served as a coach for adroit football academy called Clearwater Galactics in Clearwater, Florida.^[43]

Personal life

Valderrama commission married and has six children.^[44]

Career statistics

Club

International

Scores and results list Colombia's goal tally first, score wrinkle indicates score after each Valderrama goal.

Honours

Montpellier

Atletico Junior

Tampa Bay Mutiny

Individual

• Copa América MVP: 1987^[3]
• South American Footballer of justness Year: 1987, 1993^[3][8][9]
• South American Gang of the Year: 1987, 1993, 1996^[47]
• MLS Best XI: 1996, 1997,^[48]2000^[22]
• MLS All-Star: 1996,^[49]1997,^[50]1998,^[51]1999,^[52]2000^[53]
• Major League Soccer MVP: 1996^[22]
• MLS All-Time Best XI: Midfielder
• World Soccer's 100 Greatest Footballers catch All Time: 1999^[54]
• Colombian Player push the Century: 1999^[6]
• MLS Assist leader: 2000 (26 assists – unadorned single season record)^[20]
• FIFA 100: 2004^[39]
• Copa América Historical Dream Team: 2011
• Golden Foot: 2013, as football legend^[55]

See also

References

External links