Carlos Valderrama

Colombia's greatest footballer, the flamboyant playmaker and captain who led his nation to their finest World Cup in 1990 and 1994.

Carlos Alberto Valderrama Palacio was born on 2 September 1961 in Santa Marta, a coastal city on Colombia's Caribbean shore, the son of a professional footballer father whose talent he inherited. He learned the game on the streets of Santa Marta, developing the close control and vision that would become his trademark, before making his professional debut in 1980 at 18 with local club Unión Magdalena. Valderrama moved through Millonarios and Deportivo Cali, winning the South American Footballer of the Year award in 1987 while at Cali, before joining French club Montpellier in 1988. There, playing alongside future greats Laurent Blanc and Eric Cantona, he helped the club win the 1990 Coupe de France, becoming one of the first Colombian players to make a significant mark in European football. An attacking midfielder blessed with extraordinary vision and passing range, Valderrama played what he called football "while standing still" — conducting play from the centre of the pitch with minimal unnecessary movement, relying instead on the accuracy and timing of his passing to create chances for teammates. He captained Colombia at three World Cups, in 1990, 1994, and 1998, and led the team to a famous 5-0 qualifying win over Argentina in Buenos Aires in 1993, still remembered as one of the greatest results in Colombian football history. Valderrama earned 111 caps for Colombia, scoring 11 goals, and won the South American Footballer of the Year award for a second time in 1993. Instantly recognisable for his voluminous blonde afro, which he maintained was naturally bleached by the Caribbean sun of his hometown, he became a genuine cultural icon in Colombia. He finished his career in the United States' Major League Soccer with Tampa Bay Mutiny, Miami Fusion, and Colorado Rapids, and in 2004 Pelé named him among the finest living footballers as part of FIFA's centenary celebrations.

Creative attacking midfielder with exceptional passing and vision

Greatest Colombian footballer and most recognizable South American player

• S. Am. Footballer of the Year 1987
• S. Am. Footballer of the Year 1993

Club Career

Club	Period	Fee	Apps	Goals
Unión Magdalena	1980–1984	—	94	5
Millonarios	1984–1985	—	33	0
Deportivo Cali	1985–1987	—	131	22
Montpellier	1987–1991	—	77	4
Real Valladolid	1991–1992	—	17	1
Independiente Medellín	1992–1993	—	10	1
Atlético Junior	1993–1995	—	82	5
Tampa Bay Mutiny	1995–1997	—	43	7
Deportivo Cali	1996–1997	loan	18	4
Miami Fusion	1997–1999	—	22	3
Tampa Bay Mutiny	1999–2001	—	71	5
Colorado Rapids	2001–2002	—	39	1
Colombia	—	—	111	11