Tag: Valderrama
CARLOS HAILS FALCAO
Colombian legend Carlos Valderrama has said that he is extremely grateful to Athletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao for raising the profile of the Colombian football.
A number of scouts have started showing interest in Colombia in the last couple of seasons due to the success of players like Radamel Falcao. The striker moved to Spanish club Athletico Madrid in a £ 35 million deal from FC Porto in the summer, while he was also linked with a move to Premier league club at Chelsea as well. He has proven to be a major success in Spain after scoring a bagful of goals in the league, while he has also secured the Europa league for the club.
Speaking on the occasion of the striker winning the Europa league, Colombian legend Carlos Valderrama has praised the striker by saying that he will be the source of great motivation for all of the Colombian youngsters, who are aspiring to become a professional footballer. Athletico Madrid managed to beat Athletic Bilbao 3-0 in the final of the Europa league, which helped him secure the trophy for the second time in three seasons. This time around, however, the name Falcao has a centre of attention because he has proven to be such a massive hit.
“We are all delighted here for what Falcao has done for Atletico Madrid, and the Colombian people are very proud because he is a player with a great eye for goal, which is not common. He is also a man who never gives up and he takes every opportunity that is placed in front of him. Great players are now coming out of Colombia, like the ones we had before with Freddy Rincon, Leonel Alvarez, Faustino Asprilla, Rene Higuita, Oscar Serna, Oscar Cordoba, Jorge Bermudez. To sum up, a fantastic group of footballers,” said Valderrama.
VALDERRAMA PRAISES PERU
Carlos Valderrama has praised the progress of the Peruvian National team, backing them to make it to the next World Cup in Brazil in 2014. Valderama holds the record number of appearances for Colombia and guided his side to three World Cups in a row. Since he retired in 1998 Colombia have not qualified for a World Cup, so he can to an extent appreciate the frustration of Peru’s footballing community who have gone since 1982 for a World Cup appearance.
Valderrama has backed Peru, who finished third in Copa America last year, to qualify for their first tournament in over 30 years. Peru out performed Brazil and Argentina in last year’s tournament and striker Paolo Guerrero was the tournament’s top scorer.
Valderrama was keen to stress thtat the task would not be an easy one, but one he thought Peru were up to. “Getting to a World Cup is not so easy, the qualifiers are tough. In Peru generations have passed without managing it, although they have some great players, because there was no project or organisation.”
The Columbian pointed to the similarities between the Peru and Colombia set ups. “Every time a couple of games are lost the coach is changed. Hard work over time does not get respected”. Peru currently sit eighth in the Conembol standings but Valderrama believes that if they stick with their coach they could be in with a real chance. With Brazil gaining an automatic berth in the tournament as hosts more than 50% of those in qualifiers could make it, with up to five available for the nine teams in the Conembol region. Valderrama was also keen to stress that his Colombian side could join the Peruvian’s in Brazil but must also stick with their coach and think in the long term. With sides such as Argentina, Uruguay and Chile looking strong in recent years the task will not be easy, but one that either of these sleeping giants could be up to.
