Between 1985 and 1998 Carlos Valderrama was to represent his country in 111 international fixtures, making him Colombia’s most capped player of all time. Along with over a century of caps he was also to become one of few players to captain a national team to three World Cups.
Born in Santa Marta, Colombia, in 1961 Carlos Valderrama's club career began at the later than normal age of 20. However, it soon became apparent that this football player was destined to play for his country. He was to become recognized internationally both for his sublime football skills and his frizzy blonde afro hair style, which immediately set him out from the crowd.
His playing style was based upon technical ability, graceful first touches and killer passes which allowed him to control the tempo of a game from his central midfield position. His technique more than made up for his lack of pace.
Carlos Valderrama International Football Debut in Copa America
In 1985 Carlos Valderrama gained his first cap for Colombia in a World Cup qualifier against Paraguay. Not the greatest of starts, Colombia lost 3-0.
However, Valderrama was soon to be given the captaincy and his performances in the 1987 Copa America were to firmly establish his reputation on the world soccer scene. Valderrama captained Colombia to a 2-1 victory against Argentina in Buenos Aires, and was later to receive the award for South American Player of the Year.
Carlos Valderrama, Colombia & Three World Cup Competitions
Soccer legends are generally forged in World Cup tournaments, and Carlos Valderrama was no exception. The Colombia team was often to disappoint their fans in the World Cup finals but qualifying three times in a row under the captaincy of Valderrama was no mean feat. The Colombian style of football usually provided great entertainment, with Valderrama the flamboyant playmaker in midfield.
Carlos Valderrama – Italy 1990 World Cup
Colombia reached the second round of the Italy 1990 World Cup before losing 2-1 to Cameroon. In the opening group stages Valderrama scored against the United Arab Emirates to help gain a 2-0 victory. A loss to Yugoslavia put the pressure back on his team with a final group game against West Germany to follow.
Against the Germans Colombia were 1-0 down before Valderrama beat three players in midfield and played a sublime pass through to Rincon who slotted the ball into the goal. This was arguably one of Carlos Valderrama’s finest career moments in international football, and an honorable draw against the team who would go on to win the tournament.
Carlos Valderrama, USA 1994 World Cup & Death of Escobar
An impressive qualifying campaign for the USA 1994 World Cup saw Colombia come to the finals as a potential threat. Carlos Valderrama, however, could not lead his team past the group stages, losses against Romania and the USA heralding a disappointing early exit.
Worse was to follow when the team returned to Colombia. The Colombian defender Escobar, who had scored an own-goal in the tournament, was shot and killed.
Escobar and Valderrama were great friends; in an April 8, 2001 interview with Roger Mills of the St. Petersburg Times Valderrama marks the tragedy as the lowest point of his career: “It's very difficult for me to talk about him. It's very painful. He was very close to me. We were very good friends, very good friends. That has been my worst experience playing the sport.”
France 1998 World Cup – Valderrama Exits the World Soccer Stage
Colombia again qualified for the France 1998 World Cup, but again failed to reach the knock-out stages. A loss against Romania in the opening group game was followed by a win against Tunisia. Colombia then had to face England but were beaten 2-0, sending them home. This was to be the final appearance by Carlos Valderrama in the yellow shirt of Colombia.
Carlos Valderrama – Biography of a Soccer Legend
Despite never winning a World Cup with Colombia, the international football appearances of Carlos Valderrama help cement his reputation as one of the all-time soccer legends. He captained his team to three World Cups and accumulated 111 caps while demonstrating a sublime natural ability and awareness on the football pitch.
Valderrama was named as one of the greatest players of the 20th Century by Pelé in 1999. He is also the only Colombian football player to feature in FIFA’s 125 Top Living Football Players list. Both are testament to the status of Carlos Valderrama amongst the soccer legends of international football.
For all the international football career stats of Carlos Valderrama visit Roberto Mamrud's RSSSF web page.
Tony Dunnell - Tony Dunnell is a freelance writer and a specialist in South American travel. He has two Peru blogs, howtoperu.com and tarapotolife.com
