Seriously injured after a car accident
Ex-soccer star Rincon struggles with death
04/12/2022, 10:05 am
At the 1990 World Cup, Freddy Rincon shot the Colombian team against Germany into the round of 16, which made him famous. But now the former professional footballer is fighting for his life. In a car accident in his homeland, the 55-year-old is seriously injured in the head – the prognosis is “cautious”.
Former Colombian soccer player Freddy Rincon is fighting for his life after a traffic accident. The 55-year-old ex-Real Madrid and Napoli player was taken to hospital with “serious head injuries”, Dr. Laureano Quintero from Clinica Imbanaco in Cali.
Rincon underwent nearly three hours of surgery and was then transferred to intensive care in a “very critical condition,” the clinic spokesman said. “His prognosis is cautious.” The Spanish record champions Real feared for the health of his ex-professional on Twitter: “All our strength and affection goes to Freddy after the accident today,” wrote the club. Mayor Jorge Iván Ospina wrote: “All of Cali sends all their faith and energy for your speedy recovery.”
According to the authorities, Rincon was with other people in a truck, which collided with a bus in the early hours of the morning. The exact cause of the accident was initially unclear. According to Edwing Candelo, Secretary of State for Local Transport, a total of five people were injured.
Rincon was known as “Colossus” during his playing days. The former attacking player was one of the stars of the Colombian national team, which, thanks to the exceptional professionals Rincon, Carlos Valderrama and Faustino Asprilla, qualified for a World Cup three times in a row – in 1990, 1994 and 1998.
A goal by the midfielder at the 1990 World Cup in Italy in a group match against eventual world champion Germany became famous. In injury time, Rincon shot the ball between goalkeeper Bodo Illgner’s legs and into the goal – to make it 1-1. Thanks to the goal, Colombia progressed. In club football, the 84-time national player appeared for América de Cali, Palmeiras São Paulo and SC Corinthians, SSC Napoli and Real Madrid.
