Carlos Alberto Valderrama

Valderrama is finest footballer from Colombia. His fans gave him the nickname “El Pibe.” First thing that one will remember about Valderrama is his amazing fluffy orangish blond African hairstyle. He played the most number of matches for Columbia (111).He was centre midfielder good at shielding as well as passing the ball across the field. Valderrama won the South American player of the year award twice during his career, in 1987 as well as 1993. There is a bronze statue of Valderrama in front of Eduardo Santos Stadium.

Carlos Alberto Valderrama Palacio was born on 2nd September 1961 at Santa Marta in Colombia. Valderrama’s started his football career with Union Magdalena a first division club in Colombia during 1981 season. He played for them until 1983 season. He joined Millionarios in 1984.After one season he moved to Deportivo Cali where he played until 1988.During his Deportivo days, they finished runners up in Colombian championship during 1985 season as well as 1986.He moved to France and joined Montpellier in 1988.in 1990, he achieved glory, when Montpellier won French cup. In that season, Montpellier surprised everyone with an amazing run in UEFA cup. However, their run ended at quarterfinal stage .He played 77 matches for Montepellier. He scored five goals for them during his stint with them.

In 1990, he moved to Spain and joined Real Valladolid. However, it was not a successful venture. He played only relatively lesser number of matches. After leaving Valladolid, he returned to Columbia and joined Independiente Medellin in 1992.In 1993 he moved to Atletico Junior. He played 82 matches for Atletico Junior. He won the Columbian championships in 1993 as well as 1995 with Athletico Junior.

He moved to USA in 1995 and became a part of soccer revolution there as they started MLS a new league. As a renowned footballer across the world, he was a marquee player for the new league, along with some other stars. He joined Tampa Bay Mutiny. He played 43 matches for Tampa Bay during that stint. He won MLS Supporters’ shield with Tampa bay in 1996.His performances in that year yielded him MLS MVP as well as MLS All star of the year in that year. After two years, he moved to Miami Fusion. He returned to Tampa Bay in 1999.He played 71 matches during his second stint with them. He moved to Colorado Rapids in 2001.He played 39 matches for Colorado. He gave lot of assists during his playing days in Moshe played until 43 years old, which shows the passion he had for the game.

Valderrama rose to stardom while playing for Columbia. He made his debut for Colombia in 1985.His big break came during the 1987 Copa America. As a captain, he led Colombia to third place in that tournament. He played the 1991, 1993, 1995 copa America tournaments as well. Colombia finished third on two occasions. He represented Colombia in three world cups. In 1990 world cup, Colombia’s run ended in second round. He scored a stunner against UAE. In 1994 world cup, injury affected his performances, as Colombia did not go beyond group stages. He played in 1998 world cup as well but Colombia did not qualify for the knockouts. He ended his international career after match against England, which they lost. He scored 11 goals for Colombia.

Valderrama had a much forgettable management career after retiring from playing. He managed Junior Barranquilla during 2007 Colombian Clausura championship. Valderrama is certainly a unique colourful character among football team players around the world. 

Carlos Valderrama is finest footballer from Colombia. His fans gave him the nickname “El Pibe.” First thing that one will remember about Valderrama is his amazing fluffy orangish blond African hairstyle. He played the most number of matches for Columbia (111).He was centre midfielder good at shielding as well as passing the ball across the field. Valderrama won the South American player of the year award twice during his career, in 1987 as well as 1993. There is a bronze statue of Valderrama in front of Eduardo Santos Stadium.

Carlos Alberto Valderrama Palacio was born on 2nd September 1961 at Santa Marta in Colombia. Valderrama’s started his football career with Union Magdalena a first division club in Colombia during 1981 season. He played for them until 1983 season. He joined Millionarios in 1984.After one season he moved to Deportivo Cali where he played until 1988.During his Deportivo days, they finished runners up in Colombian championship during 1985 season as well as 1986.He moved to France and joined Montpellier in 1988.in 1990, he achieved glory, when Montpellier won French cup. In that season, Montpellier surprised everyone with an amazing run in UEFA cup. However, their run ended at quarterfinal stage .He played 77 matches for Montepellier. He scored five goals for them during his stint with them.

In 1990, he moved to Spain and joined Real Valladolid. However, it was not a successful venture. He played only relatively lesser number of matches. After leaving Valladolid, he returned to Columbia and joined Independiente Medellin in 1992.In 1993 he moved to Atletico Junior. He played 82 matches for Atletico Junior. He won the Columbian championships in 1993 as well as 1995 with Athletico Junior.

He moved to USA in 1995 and became a part of soccer revolution there as they started MLS a new league. As a renowned footballer across the world, he was a marquee player for the new league, along with some other stars. He joined Tampa Bay Mutiny. He played 43 matches for Tampa Bay during that stint. He won MLS Supporters’ shield with Tampa bay in 1996.His performances in that year yielded him MLS MVP as well as MLS All star of the year in that year. After two years, he moved to Miami Fusion. He returned to Tampa Bay in 1999.He played 71 matches during his second stint with them. He moved to Colorado Rapids in 2001.He played 39 matches for Colorado. He gave lot of assists during his playing days in Moshe played until 43 years old, which shows the passion he had for the game.

Valderrama rose to stardom while playing for Columbia. He made his debut for Colombia in 1985.His big break came during the 1987 Copa America. As a captain, he led Colombia to third place in that tournament. He played the 1991, 1993, 1995 copa America tournaments as well. Colombia finished third on two occasions. He represented Colombia in three world cups. In 1990 world cup, Colombia’s run ended in second round. He scored a stunner against UAE. In 1994 world cup, injury affected his performances, as Colombia did not go beyond group stages. He played in 1998 world cup as well but Colombia did not qualify for the knockouts. He ended his international career after match against England, which they lost. He scored 11 goals for Colombia.

Valderrama had a much forgettable management career after retiring from playing. He managed Junior Barranquilla during 2007 Colombian Clausura championship. Valderrama is certainly a unique colourful character among football team players around the world.