René Higuita
Encyclopedia
José René Higuita Zapata (born 27 August 1966 in Medellín
(Barrio Castilla)) is a former Colombia
n football goalkeeper nicknamed El Loco ("The Madman"). Rene was considered one of the most 'unique' goal keepers of all time due to his 'crazy' style of playing and impressive displays.
Known for being the creator of the scorpion kick, Higuita made an impact reinventing the way how goal keepers played in a game.
where he helped the team win the Colombian League on numerous occasions as well as the Copa Libertadores and Copa Interamericana
, both in 1989.
He came out of retirement in 2007 to sign for Venezuelan club Guaros de Lara FC. In January 2008, aged 41, he signed for Colombian second division team Deportivo Rionegro. In June 2008 he signed for Colombian first division team Deportivo Pereira and retired in January 2010.
and became known for scoring directly from free-kicks, as well as penalties. In all, he scored 8 goals in his 68 international appearances. Higuita is also famed for inventing the scorpion kick, a clearance where the keeper jumps forward, arches his legs over his head and in doing so, kicks the ball away with his heels. This save earned him considerable media attention when he successfully used it in a friendly game against England
at Wembley Stadium in September 1995, blocking a shot by Jamie Redknapp
. It ranked 94th in Channel 4
's 100 Greatest Sporting Moments in 2002.
On the pitch, Higuita was known for his eccentric playing style, taking unnecessary risks and actively trying to score goals. He was also prone to blunders, and it was a mistake by him that knocked Colombia out of the 1990 World Cup, when he seemingly dithered with the ball at his feet near the halfway line enabling Cameroon
striker Roger Milla
to dispossess him and score, putting Cameroon through to the quarter-finals. Higuita himself described it as "a mistake as big as a house". As a result of such behaviour, Higuita was nicknamed El Loco ("The Madman") by media and fans alike.
Higuita is friends with Diego Maradona
and played in the Argentine's farewell match in 2001.
.
Higuita was imprisoned in 1993 after getting involved in a kidnapping. Acting as a go-between for the drug barons Pablo Escobar
and Carlos Molina
, he was largely responsible for securing the release of Molina's daughter by delivering the ransom money. He received $64,000 for his services, which breaks Colombian law as it is an offence to profit from a kidnapping. He was incarcerated for seven months before being released without charge. Commenting on the case, he has stated that "I'm a footballer, I didn't know anything about kidnapping laws." This however in the documentary The Two Escobars, it was claimed to be because of his visit to Pablo Escobar
, in prison due the fact that they questioned Higuita only about Pablo Escobar rather than the kidnapping.
Because of the term in prison Higuita was not fit for the 1994 FIFA World Cup
. In another scandal, he tested positive for cocaine
on 23 November 2004 while playing for an Ecuadorian football club.
In 2005, Higuita participated in the reality TV program La isla de los famosos: Una aventura pirata ("The Island of the Famous: A Pirate Adventure"), a show similar to Survivor
.
As of November 2009, his son Cristian Andrés Higuita was playing for Asociación Deportivo Cali
and represented Colombia at the Sudamericano Sub-15.
Higuita has expressed the wish to become more politically active.
: Round of 16.
Copa America 1993
: Third-place.
Copa America 1995
: Third Place.
He won the Barthez award 10 years running 1999-2009.
Rene Higuita clips
Medellín
Medellín , officially the Municipio de Medellín or Municipality of Medellín, is the second largest city in Colombia. It is in the Aburrá Valley, one of the more northerly of the Andes in South America. It has a population of 2.3 million...
(Barrio Castilla)) is a former Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
n football goalkeeper nicknamed El Loco ("The Madman"). Rene was considered one of the most 'unique' goal keepers of all time due to his 'crazy' style of playing and impressive displays.
Known for being the creator of the scorpion kick, Higuita made an impact reinventing the way how goal keepers played in a game.
Career
Rene Higuita played the majority of his club career with Colombian side Atlético NacionalAtlético Nacional
Corporación Deportiva Atlético Nacional is a Colombian football team based in Medellín. They play their home games at the Estadio Atanasio Girardot stadium which also serves as home to Deportivo Independiente Medellín...
where he helped the team win the Colombian League on numerous occasions as well as the Copa Libertadores and Copa Interamericana
Copa Interamericana
Copa Interamericana was a football trophy contested between the champions of CONMEBOL's Copa Libertadores de América and the winners of CONCACAF's Champions' Cup...
, both in 1989.
He came out of retirement in 2007 to sign for Venezuelan club Guaros de Lara FC. In January 2008, aged 41, he signed for Colombian second division team Deportivo Rionegro. In June 2008 he signed for Colombian first division team Deportivo Pereira and retired in January 2010.
International career
Higuita would often take set-pieces for the Colombian national teamColombia national football team
The Colombian national football team represents Colombia in international football competitions and is controlled by the Colombian Football Federation. It is a member of the CONMEBOL...
and became known for scoring directly from free-kicks, as well as penalties. In all, he scored 8 goals in his 68 international appearances. Higuita is also famed for inventing the scorpion kick, a clearance where the keeper jumps forward, arches his legs over his head and in doing so, kicks the ball away with his heels. This save earned him considerable media attention when he successfully used it in a friendly game against England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
at Wembley Stadium in September 1995, blocking a shot by Jamie Redknapp
Jamie Redknapp
Jamie Frank Redknapp is a retired English footballer who was active from 1989 until 2005. He is now a football pundit with Sky Sports, and an editorial columnist with the Daily Mail....
. It ranked 94th in Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
's 100 Greatest Sporting Moments in 2002.
On the pitch, Higuita was known for his eccentric playing style, taking unnecessary risks and actively trying to score goals. He was also prone to blunders, and it was a mistake by him that knocked Colombia out of the 1990 World Cup, when he seemingly dithered with the ball at his feet near the halfway line enabling Cameroon
Cameroon national football team
The Cameroon national football team, nicknamed Les Lions Indomptables , is controlled by the Fédération Camerounaise de Football and is Africa's most successful side in FIFA world cup; having qualified for the FIFA World Cup six times – in 1982, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002 and 2010– more than any...
striker Roger Milla
Roger Milla
Roger Milla is a retired Cameroonian footballer who played as a striker. He was one of the first African players to be a major star on the international stage...
to dispossess him and score, putting Cameroon through to the quarter-finals. Higuita himself described it as "a mistake as big as a house". As a result of such behaviour, Higuita was nicknamed El Loco ("The Madman") by media and fans alike.
Higuita is friends with Diego Maradona
Diego Maradona
Diego Armando Maradona is a retired Argentine football player and widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time. Over the course of his professional club career Maradona played for Argentinos Juniors, Boca Juniors, Barcelona, Napoli, Sevilla and Newell's Old Boys, setting...
and played in the Argentine's farewell match in 2001.
Coaching career
He has expressed the wish to coach the Colombian national team and in December 2008 he got the job as goalkeeper coach of his former club Real ValladolidReal Valladolid
Real Valladolid Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Valladolid, in the autonomous community of Castile and León, from where the nickname Pucela is derived....
.
Personal life
He is married to Magnolia, with whom he has two children, Andrés and Pamela. He also has a daughter, Cindy Carolina, from a previous marriage.Higuita was imprisoned in 1993 after getting involved in a kidnapping. Acting as a go-between for the drug barons Pablo Escobar
Pablo Escobar
Pablo Emilio Escobar Gaviria was a Colombian drug lord. He was an elusive cocaine trafficker and rich and successful criminal. He owned numerous luxury residences, automobiles, and even airplanes...
and Carlos Molina
Carlos Molina
Carlos Molina is an undefeated Mexican-American professional boxer in the Lightweight division. He's also the brother of two Olympic Boxers Javier for the U.S...
, he was largely responsible for securing the release of Molina's daughter by delivering the ransom money. He received $64,000 for his services, which breaks Colombian law as it is an offence to profit from a kidnapping. He was incarcerated for seven months before being released without charge. Commenting on the case, he has stated that "I'm a footballer, I didn't know anything about kidnapping laws." This however in the documentary The Two Escobars, it was claimed to be because of his visit to Pablo Escobar
Pablo Escobar
Pablo Emilio Escobar Gaviria was a Colombian drug lord. He was an elusive cocaine trafficker and rich and successful criminal. He owned numerous luxury residences, automobiles, and even airplanes...
, in prison due the fact that they questioned Higuita only about Pablo Escobar rather than the kidnapping.
Because of the term in prison Higuita was not fit for the 1994 FIFA World Cup
1994 FIFA World Cup
The 1994 FIFA World Cup, the 15th staging of the FIFA World Cup, was held in nine cities across the United States from June 17 to July 17, 1994. The United States was chosen as the host by FIFA on July 4, 1988...
. In another scandal, he tested positive for cocaine
Cocaine
Cocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. The name comes from "coca" in addition to the alkaloid suffix -ine, forming cocaine. It is a stimulant of the central nervous system, an appetite suppressant, and a topical anesthetic...
on 23 November 2004 while playing for an Ecuadorian football club.
In 2005, Higuita participated in the reality TV program La isla de los famosos: Una aventura pirata ("The Island of the Famous: A Pirate Adventure"), a show similar to Survivor
Survivor (TV series)
Survivor is a reality television game show format produced in many countries throughout the world. In the show, contestants are isolated in the wilderness and compete for cash and other prizes. The show uses a system of progressive elimination, allowing the contestants to vote off other tribe...
.
As of November 2009, his son Cristian Andrés Higuita was playing for Asociación Deportivo Cali
Deportivo Cali
Asociación Deportivo Cali is a Colombian sports club based in Cali, Colombia. Mostly known for its football team, it also sponsors basketball, volleyball and swimming...
and represented Colombia at the Sudamericano Sub-15.
Higuita has expressed the wish to become more politically active.
Club
- Atlético NacionalAtlético NacionalCorporación Deportiva Atlético Nacional is a Colombian football team based in Medellín. They play their home games at the Estadio Atanasio Girardot stadium which also serves as home to Deportivo Independiente Medellín...
:- Copa Libertadores: 1989; Runner-up 1995.
- Copa Interamericana: 1990, mina el prince !
- Intercontinental CupIntercontinental Cup (football)The European/South American Cup, commonly referred to as the World Club Championship, Intercontinental Cup or Toyota Cup, was a football competition endorsed by UEFA and CONMEBOL, contested between the winners of the European Cup and the South American Copa Libertadores...
: Runner-up 1989. - Colombian League: 1991, 1994.
International
1990 FIFA World Cup1990 FIFA World Cup
The 1990 FIFA World Cup was the 14th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 8 June to 8 July 1990 in Italy, the second country to host the event twice. Teams representing 116 national football associations from all six populated...
: Round of 16.
Copa America 1993
Copa América 1993
The 1993 Copa América was the 36th Copa América, CONMEBOL's football tournament for national teams. It was held in Ecuador between June 15 and July 4. All 10 CONMEBOL members took part, but for the first time two nations from outside CONMEBOL were invited to take part in the tournament. Mexico and...
: Third-place.
Copa America 1995
Copa América 1995
The 1995 Copa América football tournament was staged in Uruguay. It was won by Uruguay, who beat Brazil 5-3 in the penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in the final. All 10 CONMEBOL members took part, with Mexico and the USA invited in order to reach 12 teams....
: Third Place.
He won the Barthez award 10 years running 1999-2009.
See also
- List of sportspeople sanctioned for doping offences
- List of goalscoring goalkeepers
External links
- Career details at National Football Teams
- International statistics at rsssf
- FIFA interview with Rene Higuita
- BBC SPORT Tim Vickery The legacy of Rene Higuita
Rene Higuita clips
- Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0NZCSZZj5Q&feature=channel
- Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AwnO2cVcbQ&feature=channel
- Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKXrSVJZ_nc&feature=channel
- Part 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7we1LbA7F30&feature=channel