The world of Latin American soccer woke up Thursday dismayed with the announcement of the death of former soccer player Freddy Rincón, considered among the best players in Colombian history.
His condition never improved since being admitted to the hospital last Monday after a spectacular collision between his vehicle and a bus on an avenue in the Colombian city of Cali. Rincón remained in very critical condition due to severe head trauma.
He was 55 years old and worked as a sports commentator.
Rincón was part of the Colombian teams that qualified for the FIFA World Cups in Italy in 1990, the United States in 1994, and France in 1998.
On June 19, 1990, Colombia tied 1-1 with Germany, on the last date of the group stage of the World Cup in Italy, with Rincón’s historic goal the difference, allowing Colombia to advance to the knockout round of 16 for the first time.
Despite the fact he scored another 168 goals during his career, many of them the key to winning trophies, that goal was the most important of his career. Germany would go on to win 1990 World Cup.
After playing in the Colombian league, Rincón was signed in 1994 by Brazilian club Palmeiras, where he only spent one season and scored 12 goals. In that same year he left for Napoli in Italy until 1995 and scored seven goals. From Italy he went to Real Madrid, where he played 21 games between 1995 and 1996.
From Spain he returned to Palmeiras in 1996. There he thrived until leaving in 2004 after playing for Corinthians, Santos and Cruzeiro. With Corinthians, Rincón won league titles in 1998 and 1999, and the first edition of the FIFA Club World Cup at the historic Maracanã stadium. He served as captain and was included in the club’s Hall of Fame.
All these clubs in which he played in America and Europe joined the messages of condolences sent by Colombian authorities, former teammates, FIFA and the South American Confederation (CONMEBOL).
The president of CONMEBOL, the Paraguayan Alejandro Domínguez, wrote: “I deeply regret the departure of Freddy Rincón. Thank you for leaving your mark on South American football. I send my condolences to their families and to Colombian football.”
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