Colombians are very passionate and talented people. They love and excel in music, dance, literature, art, and sports. But it is soccer that brings all Colombians together to express their excitement and unity. The streets are filled with the colors of the flag every time the Colombian national team plays, friends and family gather to enjoy the games, and smiles and tears flow after each match.
For decades, talented soccer players from all corners of Colombia have taken the country’s name to the top of the best teams in the world. In addition, the most talented and successful players do not usually come from the big cities but rather from small, remote towns. This shows that soccer is a popular sport that unites all Colombians in a single passion. Keep reading to learn more about Colombia’s incredible soccer culture.
Colombian Soccer Legends
Colombian soccer has given us memorable moments in the last century. Of all the great figures of that time, we must remember two great players who left their mark on history.
El Pibe Valderrama
Carlos Valderrama, better known as El Pibe Valderrama, is an ex-footballer remembered for his Caribbean look and his particular style of play, fun and confident, as he enjoyed doing the most amazing tricks on the field. He was the national team captain for many years, with whom he participated in three consecutive World Cups (1990, 1994, and 1998). One of his most celebrated moments was his brilliant participation in the historic 5-0 victory against Argentina. He was also awarded as the best player of the continent in 1987 and 1993.
René Higuita
Another player who shined during the ’80s and ’90s was goalkeeper René Higuita. Recognized as one of the best goalkeepers in South America and one of the most original in history, Higuita became world famous for coming out of the goal area and venturing to play all over the field, scoring 43 goals in official games. His influence on soccer was such that the rules of the game for goalkeepers were modified thanks to his particular way of playing.
In addition, he became internationally famous for having successfully performed the scorpion kick (a move consisting of throwing the torso forward and lifting the feet to kick an incoming ball) at Wembley Stadium in a match against England.
Contemporary Players
Radamel Falcao
Radamel Falcao, affectionately nicknamed The Tiger, is a prolific goal scorer. He shares with Cristiano Ronaldo the record for the player who has scored the most goals in a single season in a European tournament, with seventeen goals. He is also the player who has scored the most goals in the history of the Colombian national team, with 36 goals.
James Rodríguez
James Rodriguez plays as a midfielder and has achieved great awards and recognition throughout his career. Among his achievements are winning the Champions League twice and the Bundesliga twice. However, his most memorable performance was that of the 2014 World Cup. During this tournament, James stood out among all the great figures, being named player of the match several times in a row.
The match that Colombians remember most from this World Cup is the one against Uruguay, in which James scored what was later recognized as the best goal of the World Cup. Thanks to his magnificent performance, Colombia reached the quarterfinals for the first time in its history.
Colombia Women’s National Football Team
Recently, those who have given Colombians the most reason to celebrate are the players of the women’s national soccer team. In 2019, they were champions of the Pan American Games. This year, the U-17 national team was runner-up in the U-17 Women’s World Cup, and thanks to their outstanding performance in the Copa América Femenina, they managed to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The revelation player of the last few years is Linda Caicedo. At just 17 years old, she has already won important awards such as the Best Young Player of the Year and the Best Athlete of the Year in Colombia.
Soccer Culture in Medellin
All of Colombia’s major cities have their own soccer teams and soccer culture. Medellin is one of the cities that is most passionate about soccer and has two of the most recognized teams in the country: Atlético Nacional and Deportivo Independiente Medellín. The latter is one of the oldest teams in the country, having been founded in 1913. They usually play at the Estadio Atanasio Girardot, which is the largest stadium in the region.
Visit Medellin, Colombia’s most soccer-loving city, if you want to experience the electric soccer atmosphere for yourself. The best way to immerse yourself with the locals is to enjoy the country’s most beloved sport. The passion for soccer is not only experienced in the stadium but in every store, restaurant, and even on the streets, where people admire the incredible graffiti inspired by Colombian soccer. To learn more about Paisa culture, book a tour with us.
