Carlos Valderrama (soccer player)
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Carlos Alberto Valderrama Palacio (born September 2, 1961 in Santa Marta) is a Colombian soccer player, often considered the best Colombian player of all time.
Nicknamed El Pibe ("The Kid"), Valderrama is recognizable for his enormous blond bush of hair and is known for his skillful passing and shielding. Valderrama captained Colombia during the 1990, 1994, and 1998 World Cups, before announcing his international retirement after the 1998 competition having received 111 caps and scored 10 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 Hérault SC of French First Division in 1988. He was transferred to Real Valladolid in 1990 before returning to Colombia in 1992 to play for Independiente Medellín and Atlético 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 Major League Soccer, Valderrama scored 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), Enzo Francescoli and José Luis Chilavert.
He is married and has five children.de:Carlos Valderrama it:Carlos Valderrama he:קרלוס ולדרמה ja:カルロス・バルデラマ