Carlos Valderrama is the Colombia legend famed for his wild hair, skill… and incredible 22ft statue
Instantly recognisable South American star who learned the game on the streets lit up three successive World Cups but has pangs of regret over not winning football's ultimate prize
FEW players in World Cup history have been quite as recognisable as Carlos Valderrama.
With his trademark frizzy hair, chunky jewellery and almost effortless playing style, the Colombian playmaker can rightly be regarded as one of the finest South American footballers of the 20th century.
Not only did he play in five Copa Americas with his country, but he also captained Colombia in three World Cup finals in 1990, 1994 and 1998 and twice won the South American Player of the Year award.
“I always say that although I would have liked to have won the World Cup, I can't be too hard on myself,” he recalled recently.
“You should only worry when you don't get the chance to reach certain goals. The fact is, though, my team-mates and I had the chance not once, but three times.”
His nickname stuck with him throughout his career
When he was growing up in Santa Marta, Colombia in the late 1970s, Vaderrama was nicknamed El Pibe (The Kid) by an Argentinian team-mate of his professsional footballer dad.
They still call him that today, even though he’s 56.
And they still love El Pibe in Santa Marta…
So much so, in fact, that they erected a statue of him in his home town.
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The 22-foot bronze tribute was created by Colombian artist Amilkar Ariza and takes pride of place outside Santa Marta’s Estadio Eduardo Santos.
Think he went a bit overboard on the barnet though.
He didn’t make his international debut until he was 24
It’s remarkable to think that even though Valderrama won a record 111 caps for Colombia he didn’t receive his first one until the comparatively old age of 24.
Once he had made it, however, there was no getting him out of the side and his record still stands to this day.
He said: “I got my chance and I made it count. I was happy and very proud because representing Colombia was one of my dreams.”
His languid style of play was deceptive
Valderrama’s unique skill on the ball and his inate appreciation of the space around him often gave the impression that he was laid back and, well, lazy.
Not so.
Ask any player that he played with and they’ll tell you that he was the consummate professional.
He was also devastating at unlocking defences.
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Take the key game against West Germany in the 1990 World Cup. Needing a point to progress to the knockout stages, Los Cafetoros were a goal down deep into injury time and staring at an early exit.
Enter Valderrama who, having turned two oppostion players inside out near the halfway line, took a return pass from Fajardo and then splits the German defence with a deadweight ball to Freddy Rincon who sprints through to bag the all-important equaliser.
Cue madness.
His team-mates knew his real worth
When Valderrama was with Montpelier in the French league, helping them to win the French Cup – the first trophy of his professional career – he played alongside legendary France star Laurent Blanc and he was in doubt about the Colombian’s value.
“He was so gifted that we could give him the ball when we didn't know what else to do with it knowing he wouldn’t lose it,” he explained, “and often he would do things that most of us only dream about.”
But where did he learn to keep the ball so well?
On the streets of Santa Marta, that’s where.
Yes, as a kid kicking around the streets Valderrama perfected the ability to shield the ball and retain possession when all hell was breaking loose around him.
It was a skill that served him well throughout his career.
“I learned to play like that in the neighbourhood,” he said. “Just playing.”
He was so much more than a big haircut
Mind you, it was sensational hair, wasn’t it?
He’s still got it too but that may not be for much longer.
Now 56, Valderrama has pledged to cut off his trademark barnet if Colombia can win the World Cup In Russia this summer.
Long odds, maybe, but you never know.
But he has done it before
Back in 2013, the Colombia legend did actually cut his locks, much to the shock of the watching world.
“Just like some things can change in football,” he shrugged, “I changed my look.”
They’ve since grown back though.
He ended his career in the MLS
In fact, Vaderrama spent seven seasons playing in the US for Tampa Bay Mutiny, Miami Fusion and the Colorado Rapids.
Considered a pioneer of of American soccer, Valderrama was one of the first wave of international stars to appear in the MLS, helping to increase its profile and attract other foreign stars to the competition.
And he still holds the MLS record for assists too with 26 made in 2000 with Tampa.