Carlos Valderrama's football career was marked by his unique style and selflessness.
He first played football on Santa Marta's dusty streets, learning the art of balance and how to be calm.
## What made Carlos Valderrama special?
His trademark hair and beads gave him a distinctive appearance, but it was his skills on the pitch that truly set him apart.
He made his professional debut with Unión Magdalena in 1981, earning a move to Millonarios in 1984.
## How did Carlos Valderrama's career progress?
Valderrama's true breakthrough came in 1985 with Cali, where he became a key component and earned his first international cap.
He scored in Colombia's opening group game at the 1990 World Cup, a 2-0 victory against the United Arab Emirates on June 9, 1990.
## What were some of Carlos Valderrama's notable achievements?
Valderrama's performance against Bobby Robson's England in a 1988 friendly caught the attention of European teams, leading to his signing with Montpellier.
He won the French Cup with Montpellier in the 1989/90 season, the team's second ever piece of silverware.
Valderrama's 23-year-old teammate Eric Cantona appeared to settle and spur him on.
Colombia required a point against West Germany to qualify for the next round of the World Cup, which they achieved on June 19, 1990, at Milan's San Siro.
## How did Carlos Valderrama's style impact his teams?
Valderrama's exuberant and eclectic yet unpretentious repertoire made him a magnificent footballer, with a short but deceptively effective one-touch pass and a momentary pause in possession till the opportunity revealed itself.
His ability to elude opponents with a seemingly impossible twist was a key aspect of his game.
Valderrama's father was a professional footballer, and this influenced his early interest in the sport.
He stayed with Unión Magdalena for four years before moving to Millonarios, but only stayed with the latter for a solitary season.
Valderrama's time with Cali proved to be a closer cultural match, and he became a key component of the team.