Carlos Alberto Valderrama Palacio;
born 2 September 1961, also
known as El Pibe , is a Colombian
former professional footballer who
played as an attacking midfielder.
In February 2004, Valderrama ended
his 22-year career in a tribute match
at the Metropolitan stadium of
Barranquilla, with some of the most
important football players of South
America, such as Diego Maradona,
Enzo Francescoli, Iván Zamorano, and
José Luis Chilavert.
He played a major role during the
golden era of Colombian football in
the 1990s, representing his national
side in three FIFA World Cups and
five Copa América tournaments.
A creative playmaker, he is
regarded as one of the best
Colombian footballers of all time,
and by some as Colombia's
greatest player ever.
His distinctive hairstyle, as well as his
precise passing and technical skills
made him one of South America's
most recognizable footballers in the
late 1980s and early 1990s.
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Valderrama was a member of the
r l os Va Colombia national football team from
Ca 1985 until 1998. He represented
Colombia in 111 full internationals and
scored 11 times, making him the most
capped player in the country's history.