Carlos Valderrama (1961-present)

Carlos Alberto Valderrama Palacio became famous during the 1980s, when for
his exquisite talent with the ball he won his first award as the payer of America
playing for the Colombian selection team as captain and the Deportivo Cali. He
became in a referring of Colombia selection team during the America cup in
1987, cup in which Colombia finished in the third place after defeat to the
Argentinean team commanded for Diego Maradona and Carlos won the award
best player of the tournament.

Carlos won several individual awards, for example, South American best player
twice in 1987 and 1993, most valuable player of the major league soccer in
United States in 1996; he was included twice in the ideal team of America in
1987 and 1996, and occupied the 39th place in the ranking of centurys best
soccer player for the FIFA in 2004.

At the team level, Carlos won the France Cup in 1990 and two Colombian
tournaments with the Atletico Junior in 1993 and 1995 and with the Deportivo
Cali achieved the Colombias league sub championship in 1985 and 1986.
Furthermore, he was the Colombian first soccer player who played in Europe
when in 1988 he was hired by Montpellier of France.

Currently, Carlos is considered a glory of the world soccer and one of the best
players in America and everyone knows his nickname El pibe.