Colombia is ranked in the top 10 teams in the world according to the official FIFA rankings, making the country one of the most popular teams in modern football. Top Colombian football legends whose careers have gone down in legend, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of fans around the world. So Who is the greatest Colombian football legend in the world of soccer? Learn with Wintips with the top 8 best Colombian soccer player through the article below!
Who is the best Colombian soccer player
1. Radamel Falcao
Radamel Falcao, born on February 10, 1986, is a professional Colombian football player. He plays as a forward and has been the captain of both AS Monaco and the Colombian national team. Falcao is known by the nickname "El Tigre" (The Tiger) and also as the "King of the Europa League".
Falcao began his professional career at the age of 13 with Lanceros Boyacá before moving to Argentina's River Plate, where he won the Clausura 2007–08 tournament. In 2009, he joined Porto in Portugal, where he achieved numerous titles, including the Europa League and Primeira Liga in 2011.
Falcao also set a record with 17 goals in a European cup campaign and became the first Colombian to receive the Portuguese Golden Ball. In August 2011, Falcao moved to Atlético Madrid for a record transfer fee of €40 million, leading the team to victory in the Europa League and Super Cup in 2012. He was also included in the FIFA World XI in 2012.
2. Carlos Valderrama
Carlos Valderrama, born on September 2, 1961, is an outstanding Colombian footballer who played as a midfielder. He is known by the nickname El Pibe ("The Kid") and is considered one of Colombia's and South America's greatest players. Valderrama's playing style was elegant and artistic, and he was named South American Footballer of the Year in 1987 and 1993. He was also listed by World Soccer as one of the top 100 players of the 20th century in 1999 and included in Pelé's FIFA 100 list in 2004.
Valderrama was a key figure in Colombia's national football team from 1985 to 1998, playing in 111 international matches and scoring 11 goals. He played a crucial role during Colombia's golden era in the 1990s, participating in three FIFA World Cups and five Copa América tournaments. After achieving success in club football in South America and Europe, Valderrama later played in Major League Soccer (MLS) towards the end of his career, contributing to the league's popularity in the 1990s. He is considered an MLS icon and was named in the All-Time Best XI of MLS in 2005.
3. Mario Yepes
Mario Yepes is a retired Colombian footballer who played as a defender. He was famous during his time at Paris Saint-Germain, known as "Super Mario," and regarded as one of the best defenders of his era.
Yepes captained the Colombian national team from 2008 to 2014. He began his football career in 1999 and played for the Colombian national team throughout that period.
He is one of the two players who can be considered part of Colombia's football history during the late 1990s and early 2000s, Colombia's golden era, winning the Copa América in 2001 and finishing runner-up in 2003. After retiring from playing, Yepes started his managerial career with his hometown club Deportivo Cali, serving as the club's coach from 2016 to late 2017.
4. James Rodríguez
James Rodriguez, born on July 12, 1991, is a professional Colombian footballer. He plays as an attacking midfielder or winger for Bayern Munich in Germany and the Colombian national team. James is recognized as one of his generation's finest players with exceptional passing ability, technique, and tactical adaptability. He has won numerous titles and individual awards during his club career, particularly during his time at Porto.
In 2014, James moved from AS Monaco to Real Madrid for a transfer fee of £63 million, becoming Colombia's most expensive footballer and one of the world's most valuable players. He has had an impressive international career, representing the Colombian national team at the 2014 and 2018 FIFA World Cups, winning the Golden Boot at the 2014 World Cup with 6 goals. James also participated in the Copa América 2015 and Copa América Centenario in 2016, helping Colombia secure a third-place finish in the latter tournament.
5. Juan Cuadrado
Starting his career at Independiente Medellín, Cuadrado moved to Italy in 2009 to join Udinese. Used sparingly at the club, he was loaned to Lecce for the 2011-12 season, and despite their relegation from Serie A, his performances earned him a transfer to Fiorentina. In February 2015, he signed with Chelsea, but after limited play, he was loaned to Juventus for consecutive seasons, where he won Serie A and Coppa Italia titles. He joined the club permanently in 2017.
Cuadrado made his international debut in 2010, and since then, he has earned over 70 caps. He was part of the Colombian team that reached the quarterfinals at two Copa América tournaments (2011 and 2015) and the 2014 FIFA World Cup, also contributing significantly to their third-place finish at the Copa América Centenario. He also participated in the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
6. David Ospina
David Ospina is one of Colombia's top goalkeepers, born on August 31, 1988, in Medellín. He began his career at Atlético Nacional before moving to Europe. Ospina is known for his quick reflexes and precise goalkeeping technique. After joining France's Nice club in 2008, Ospina excelled.
With a move to Arsenal in 2014, Ospina continued to showcase his talent and became one of the Premier League's top goalkeepers. He played a crucial role in helping Arsenal win several titles, including the FA Cup.
In addition to his club success, Ospina has been a key player for the Colombian national team, participating in major tournaments such as the World Cup and Copa America, making impressive saves and demonstrating leadership on the field. With significant contributions and achievements, David Ospina is considered one of Colombia's finest football stars in history.
7. Faustino Asprilla
Faustino Asprilla is a former striker for the Colombian national team, regarded as one of the most exceptional and distinctive players in Colombian football history. Born on November 10, 1969, in Tulúa, Colombia, Asprilla was known for his superior technique, speed, goal-scoring ability, as well as his charismatic and strong personality on the field.
Asprilla began his professional career at Cúcuta Deportivo in Colombia before movin to Atlético Nacional, where he gained international attention. He then moved to Europe and played for Italy's Parma in the early 1990s, where he became one of the top strikers in Serie A. At Parma, Asprilla played a significant role in helping the club win the Coppa Italia and Cup Winners' Cup.
8. René Higuita
René Higuita, a football hero of Colombia, is a renowned goalkeeper famous for his unique and daring playing style. Born on August 27, 1966, in Medellín, Colombia, Higuita revolutionized the goalkeeper position by incorporating world-class saves and frequently participating in attacking plays.
However, René Higuita is most famous for his miraculous "Scorpion Kick" performance. This impressive save occurred during a friendly match between Colombia and England at Wembley Stadium in 1995. In that instance, Higuita jumped up and used his legs to kick the ball away from the goal, resembling the movement of a scorpion. This save not only made him famous but also became one of the timeless moments in football history worldwide.
Conclude
Thus, above are the top 8 best Colombian soccer player of the football village. With their skillful football and eye-catching goals, they have opened a new chapter in football history and contributed to igniting the endless passion of millions of fans around the planet. See more relevant information here.
See also: The top 10 best Ukraine soccer player history of all time
