Carlos Valderrama (soccer player)
Carlos Alberto Valderrama Palacio (born September 2, 1961) is a Colombian football (soccer) player.
Nicknamed "El Pibe", Valderrama is recognizable for his enormous blond bush of hair and is known for his skillful passing and shielding. Valderrama was born in Santa Marta and captained his national team during the 1990, 1994, and 1998 World Cups, before announcing his international retirement after the 1998 competition having received 94 caps and scored seven times.
He began his career at Union Magdalena of Colombian First Division in 1981. He also played for Millonarios and Deportivo Cali before joining Montpellier of French First Division in 1988. He was transferred to Real Valladolid in 1990 before returning to Colombia in 1992 to play for Deportivo Independiete Medellin and Atletico Junior from 1993-96 before going to the US in 1996 to play for the Tampa Bay Mutiny (1996-97, 2000-01), Miami Fusion (1998-99), and Colorado Rapids (2001-02). In the American Major League Soccer (MLS), Valderrama scores relatively few goals (16) for a midfielder, but is the league's all-time leader in assists (114).
In February 2004, Valderrama ended his 22-year career in a tribute match with some of the most important football players of South America, such as Diego Maradona (he couldn't play but stayed in the tribune), Enzo Francescoli and José Luis Chilavert.
He is married and has three children.
