Jorge Luis Pinto and his anecdotes about Freddy Rincón: “He missed playing was an archer”

The traffic accident that Freddy Rincón suffered at dawn this Monday in Cali has the football world on its toes. Thousands of supporters, from sports personalities to clubs around the world, have sent messages of support clamoring for health of the idol of national football.

According to the most recent medical report, the health condition of the former footballer “remains very critical”, so the doctors of the Imbanaco clinic, where he is interned, said that “his prognosis is still very secretive”. It is scheduled that around 3:30 p.m. this Tuesday a new update regarding the status of the sports benchmark will be announced.

In the midst of uncertainty, the Colombian coach, Jorge Luis Pinto, spoke with the program 'Sports Blog' on Blu Radio, where he revealed several particular anecdotes from the time when he directed Rincón at Independiente Santa Fe. Precisely, the 'Colossus of Buenaventura' debuted as a professional in the group 'León', in 1986.

From 1986 to 1987, Pinto was in charge of showing Freddy in the first division of Colombian football, and, as he said, his remarkable physical and technical abilities allowed him to easily adapt to various positions on the pitch: “In the only position he missed playing was as a goalkeeper... One day I put him on the tip marker, another from central”.

Over time, Rincón ended up becoming a fundamental part of the 'Cardenal' team. This was acknowledged by Pinto, who confessed that he made this known to the other members of that squad: “In a meeting with the Santa Fe group, back in La Florida, I told them about the objectives of that team. And there was Freddy Rincón and ten others... they were all silent when I told them that.”

In 2010, the 'Colossus' premiered as assistant coach to the Brazilian, Vanderlei Luxemburg, at Atlético Mineiro; however, in 2019 he was also accompanying Pinto on the Millionarios' bench. This last experience, as explained by the coach from Santander, was vital for the development of the footballers of the 'Ambassador'.

“Freddy has a lot of football, he is a great advisor to the players, because of his image, for his football world, for the whole passage of Selección Colombia, which seems to me that the player has a lot of access to him. He is very close to the players and the players love him and admire him a lot,” he added.

Finally, the Colombian strategist told about a talk he had with Gabriel Ochoa Uribe, then coach of America de Cali: “He called me one day to ask me about some players and I said 'doctor, do you know who can score Freddy Rincón? ' . And the doctor answered me, 'yes of course, no one marks him. '”

One of the moments that undoubtedly marked Freddy Rincón's career was the goal for the German national team at the 1990 World Cup in Italy. The Colombia team was part of Group D together with Yugoslavia, United Arab Emirates and the team 'Teuton', then world runner-up.

The 'Tricolor' reached the last match of the group stage against Germany needing a good result, which would allow it to qualify in the round of 16 as best third. The Europeans opened the account at minute 88' through Pierre Littbarski. However, Colombia achieved the epic after a masterful assist by Carlos Valderrama for Rincón who, with his long leg, defined by the middle of the legs of goalkeeper Bodo Illgner.

“From a match like that, which is historic, everything is remembered. I remember everything and of course the tension, the expectation was very great. The meaning was great, because it was a country that was looking out for a joy that we gave them because of the situation they were experiencing. And fortunately we succeeded”, recounted the 'Colossus of Bonaventure' on the 30th anniversary of this feat.

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