Freddy Rincón and his narration, in handwriting, of the historic goal against Germany at the 1990 World Cup in Italy

Freddy Rincón died on the night of Wednesday, April 13, after the severe accident he suffered in the early morning of Monday, 11, in which he suffered severe head trauma. The striker left a legacy in Colombian football after his performance at the World Cup in Italy 90 and was the first coffee maker in military at Real Madrid.

One of the most important goals of the 'Colossus of Bonaventure' was the one scored on 19 June 1990 in the group stage of the Italian 90th World Cup. The striker scored the goal that meant the draw after the play that began with a recovery by Leonel Álvarez and in which 'Bendito' Fajardo and Carlos' Pibe 'Valderrama participated.

In a text written by Freddy Rincón and narrated by journalist Rafael Villegas, who kept the document for several years, although he told Infobae that he does not remember where it was published, he describes what he catalogues “The goal of my life”. There he recounted his process for the Colombia national teams, from where he received his first call two years before the 1990 World Cup. He made his narrative of the historic goal that entered the bottom of the arc between Bodo Illgner's legs.

In addition, he recalled his last match in the tricolor jersey, the historic 5-0 in the South American Qualifier for the 94 United States World Cup and counted for the teams in which he played in his nearly 20-year career as a professional player.

This is the full text written by Freddy Rincón:

I was never taken into account to join the pre-youth or youth teams of Colombia, even the 85 Marroquín team was in the port and they didn't notice me. Usually the coaches didn't go to Buenaventura and the chances of them seeing me in full did not happen.

Wilson Díaz, who works at customs, proposed to Rafael Pachón that he take some players to Santa Fe for us to try on; that's how Juan Reyes, Carlos Potes, Edison Cuero and I came to the “cardinal” team.

I was first called to the National Team in 1988 to play the Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada Cup with Uruguay, Millonarios and Santa Fe. I played only a few minutes against Millonarios where I was replaced by Carlos Valderrama and against Santa Fe relieved by Jaime Arango. It took almost two years (February 2, 1990) for Professor Francisco Maturana to call me to a friendly match with Uruguay in Miami where we lost by 0-2.

I played the eight friendly matches leading up to the World Cup in Italy 90, winning definitively the starting place in the national team. I played in the middle with “Blessed” Fajardo, Alexis Garcia, Leonel Alvarez, Bernardo Redín, Gustavo “Missil” Restrepo, “Chicho” Perez, “Barabás” Gomez, Carlos Valderrama and the only one who remained in the title in all matches was me.

I played all four World Cup matches against the United Arab Emirates, Yugoslavia, Germany and Cameroon. Against Germany I scored my first and only goal in a World Cup, but surely, it was the most important of my life as it qualified us to the next round (for the first and only time), it was against the one that I was the world champion and it made the whole country enjoy.

This is how I remember the play: Leonel Álvarez recovers who passes the ball to Fajardo, this one to Valderrama, he touches Rincón, again Fajardo, again receives Valderrama who puts a deep pass so that I can get there and beat the German goalkeeper through my legs. Goal! It was one of the happiest moments of my life. Unfortunately, the joy was short-lived since one of the greatest frustrations was in the next match with the defeat against Cameroon after our mistake against Roger Milla.

I participated in the Copa America three times 1991, 1993 and 1995. I was in the qualifying rounds in 1993, 1995/96 and 2000/01. I played three World Cups: Italy, the United States and France where I didn't miss any matches (10) and was replaced only twice, against Yugoslavia in 1990 by Carlos “Gambeta Estrada and in 1998 against Tunisia by Victor Hugo Aristizábal. In addition, I was part of the teams that between 1990 and 99 played many friendly matches.

I said goodbye to the National Team on October 13, 1999 in the match we lost to Argentina 2-1 in Córdoba. We played with: O. Cordoba, J. Gonzalez, J. Bermudez, I. R. Cordoba, R. C. Cortes, M. Serna (P. Portocarrero), me, F. Grisales, A. Betancourt (N. Morantes), J. P. Angel, H. Zambrano (J. Tellez). DT. Javier Alvarez. The Colombian goal was scored by Ivan Ramiro Córdoba in penalty.

Without a doubt, the passage through the National Team left me unforgettable moments such as the match with Argentina on September 5 (0-5) where we all came out and moments of great bitterness such as the death of Andrés Escobar.

I never lowered my arms, I always believed that I had conditions to wear the national shirt and I did not spare any effort to prove it. I played 85 games and scored 17 goals. At each meeting I gave my best with responsibility and professionalism, which I believe is a good example for future generations. Wearing the national shirt is the greatest pride for a footballer, it's not an easy task, I say this with some nostalgia, it's worth it.

I was born in Buenaventura (valley) on August 14, 1966. I played in Santa Fe and America, 287 games, 76 goals. I performed in Naples in Italy, Real Madrid in Spain, Palmeiras, Corinthians, Santos and Cruzeiro from Brazil. Copa Libertadores: America (1991/93, 34 matches, 6 goals). I was an assistant in Mineiro and a technician for Sao Bento and Iraty in Brazil.

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