Top five best Colombian footballers of all time
Los Cafeteros have given some of the elite footballers to the world.
Dark horse Colombia has booked their place in the semifinals of Copa America 2024 after a 5-0 demolition of Panama in the quarterfinal round, extending their unbeaten streak in all competitions to an incredible 27 games.
On the whole, Los Cafeteros has given the sport of football some of the most talented, technically gifted, and hardworking machines that have left their indelible mark on the game courtesy of their consistent amazing performances throughout their careers.
With that said, here are the top five best Colombian footballers of all time:
5. René Higuita
Widely regarded as the “El Loco” (The Madman) of Colombian football, René Higuita was one of the best goalkeepers in his nation’s history, with his flamboyant and unorthodox playing style being the highlight of his incredible playing career.
Well renowned for his sweeper-keeper approach, Higuita played for Colombian giants such as Millonarios and Atlético Nacional, where he achieved most of his club success, winning the Copa Libertadores and Copa Interamericana. He also represented Colombia at major international tournaments, like the 1990 FIFA World Cup.
Higuita became a legendary figure in the game after his famous scorpion kick save in a 1995 friendly against England. Despite being a goalkeeper, René Higuita managed to score an unbelievable 43 goals throughout his career, ranking him among the highest-scoring goalkeepers of all time.
4. Radamel Falcao
Widely regarded as “El Tigre” (The Tiger) of Colombian football, Radamel Falcao was a lethal striker and Los Cafeteros’ all-time top scorer at the international level with 36 goals.
Well renowned for his fierce attacking prowess, Falcao has achieved major success in his club career, winning the Europa League with Porto and Atlético Madrid and league titles in both France and Portugal. He has also represented Colombia at major international competitions like the Copa America and the World Cup on multiple occasions.
In his prime, Radamel Falcao was a complete striker whose clinical finishing, elite off-the-ball movement, strength, and aerial ability made him a real menace for opposition defences.
3. Faustino Asprilla
Widely regarded as the “El Tino” (Icon) of Colombian football, Faustino Asprilla was one of the most talented and entertaining players, captivating worldwide fans with his skill, flair, and goalscoring ability.
Throughout his career, Asprilla had successful stints at several top clubs, such as Atlético Nacional, Parma, and Newcastle United, winning a plethora of silverware.
One of the most gifted forwards of his generation, Faustino Asprilla delivered world-class performances in a Colombia shirt at major international tournaments like the World Cup, making him a national hero and a revered personality in the sport.
Also read: Top 10 Goalkeepers of all time
2. James Rodriguez
One of the standout performers of the 2024 Copa America has undoubtedly been a rejuvenated James Rodriguez, who has guided Colombia to the semifinals through his stellar displays of one goal and five assists in the tournament.
Throughout his career, Colombia’s golden boy has been an underrated player despite his incredible accomplishments at the club level, playing for top teams such as Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Everton and winning multiple titles in the process.
Even at 32, captain James Rodriguez is leading Los Cafeteros from the front in the hopes of continuing his side’s dark horse run in the competition and potentially winning an international trophy this summer.
1. Carlos Valderrama
Widely regarded as one of the greatest Colombian footballers of all time, Carlos Valderrama’s pin-point vision, spectacular playmaking skills, and iconic long blonde hair made him an iconic midfielder of the beautiful game.
Valderrama enjoyed a memorable club career, playing for teams such as Unión Magdalena, Independiente Medellín, Montpellier, and the Tampa Bay Mutiny, winning several trophies in the process. He is Colombia’s most-capped outfield player, accumulating an astounding 111 caps for Los Cafeteros.
Carlos Valderrama captained Colombia’s golden era during the 1990s, making them into an aggressive and attack-minded unit that could give any top team in the world a run for their money.
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