View source for Carlos Valderrama

{{short description|Colombian footballer (born 1961)}}
{{for|the baseball player|Carlos Valderrama (baseball)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2025}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Carlos Valderrama
| image =El_Pibe_Valderrama.jpg
| caption = Valderrama in 2016
| fullname = Carlos Alberto Valderrama Palacio
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1961|9|2|df=yes}}
| birth_place = [[Santa Marta]], Colombia
| height = 1.75 m<ref>{{Cite web|last=mlssoccer|title=Carlos Valderrama {{!}} MLSsoccer.com|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/players/carlos-valderrama/|access-date=15 February 2022|work=MLSsoccer.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Carlos Valderrama - Player Profile - Football|url=https://www.eurosport.co.uk/football/carlos-valderrama_prs200892/person.shtml|access-date=15 February 2022|website=Eurosport UK|language=en}}</ref>
| position = [[Attacking midfielder]]
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 = Liceo Celedón
| youthyears2 =
| youthclubs2 = [[Unión Magdalena]]
| years1 = 1980–1984
| clubs1 = [[Unión Magdalena]]
| caps1 = 94
| goals1 = 5
| years2 = 1984–1985
| clubs2 = [[Millonarios F.C.|Millonarios]]
| caps2 = 33
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 1985–1987
| clubs3 = [[Deportivo Cali]]
| caps3 = 131
| goals3 = 22
| years4 = 1987–1991
| clubs4 = [[Montpellier HSC|Montpellier]]
| caps4 = 77
| goals4 = 4
| years5 = 1991–1992
| clubs5 = [[Real Valladolid]]
| caps5 = 17
| goals5 = 1
| years6 = 1992–1993
| clubs6 = [[Independiente Medellín]]
| caps6 = 10
| goals6 = 1
| years7 = 1993–1995
| clubs7 = [[Atlético Junior]]
| caps7 = 82
| goals7 = 5
| years8 = 1995–1997
| clubs8 = [[Tampa Bay Mutiny]]
| caps8 = 43
| goals8 = 7
| years9 = 1996–1997
| clubs9 = → [[Deportivo Cali]] (loan)
| caps9 = 18
| goals9 = 4
| years10 = 1997–1999
| clubs10 = [[Miami Fusion]]
| caps10 = 22
| goals10 = 3
| years11 = 1999–2001
| clubs11 = [[Tampa Bay Mutiny]]
| caps11 = 71
| goals11 = 5
| years12 = 2001–2002
| clubs12 = [[Colorado Rapids]]
| caps12 = 39
| goals12 = 1
| totalcaps = 637
| totalgoals = 58
| nationalyears1 = 1985–1998
| nationalteam1 = [[Colombia national football team|Colombia]]
| nationalcaps1 = 111
| nationalgoals1 = 11
| manageryears1 = 2007
| managerclubs1 = [[Atlético Junior]] (assistant)
| medaltemplates = {{MedalCountry|{{fb|COL}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Copa América]]}}
{{Medal|3rd|[[1987 Copa América|1987 Argentina]]|}}
{{Medal|3rd|[[1993 Copa América|1993 Ecuador]]|}}
{{Medal|3rd|[[1995 Copa América|1995 Uruguay]]|}}
}}
{{family name hatnote|Valderrama|Palacio|lang=Spanish}}

'''Carlos Alberto Valderrama Palacio''' (<small>[[Colombian Spanish]]:</small> {{IPA|es|ˈkaɾlos alˈβeɾto βaldeˈrama paˈlasjo|}}; born 2 September 1961), also known as '''''"El Pibe"''''' ("The Kid"),<ref name=Profile>{{cite web|url=http://www.colombia.com/biografias/autonoticias/deportes/2002/07/25/detallenoticia590.asp|title=CARLOS 'EL PIBE' VALDERRAMA (Futbolista)|publisher=colombia.com|language=es|access-date=5 January 2016}}</ref> is a Colombian former professional [[Association football|footballer]] and [[sports commentator]] for [[Fútbol de Primera (radio network)|Fútbol de Primera]], who played as an [[attacking midfielder]]. Valderrama is considered by many to be one of the greatest South American players in history and one of the best players of his era.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.si.com/soccer/2019/07/04/50-greatest-south-american-footballers-all-time | title=50 Greatest South American Footballers of All Time | date=4 July 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1572011-50-greatest-midfielders-in-the-history-of-world-football | title=50 Greatest Midfielders in the History of World Football | website=[[Bleacher Report]] }}</ref> In 2004, he was named by [[Pelé]] in the [[FIFA 100]] list of the world's greatest living players.<ref name="Colombian king">{{cite web|url=http://espnfc.com/world-cup/feature?id=780320&cc=5901&ver=us|title=Carlos Valderrama: Colombian king|publisher=ESPN|author1=Jon Carter|access-date=5 January 2017|date=5 May 2010|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140306211159/http://espnfc.com/world-cup/feature?id=780320&cc=5901&ver=us|archive-date=6 March 2014}}</ref><ref name="Colombia aren't creative enough">{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/live-scores/news/y=2011/m=6/news=valderrama-colombia-aren-creative-enough-1451394.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170106014301/http://www.fifa.com/live-scores/news/y=2011/m=6/news=valderrama-colombia-aren-creative-enough-1451394.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 January 2017|title=Valderrama: Colombia aren't creative enough|publisher=FIFA.com|date=13 June 2011|access-date=5 January 2017}}</ref><ref name="Boots and a bouffant">{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/newscentre/features/news/newsid=1619243/index.html?intcmp=newsreader_news_box_4|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131217221832/http://www.fifa.com/newscentre/features/news/newsid=1619243/index.html?intcmp=newsreader_news_box_4|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 December 2013|title=Boots and a bouffant|publisher=FIFA.com|date=23 April 2012|access-date=5 January 2016}}</ref><ref name=Baggio>{{cite news|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1994/06/15/baggio-takes-great-strides-toward-soccer-greatness/|title=Baggio Takes Great Strides Toward Soccer Greatness|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|author1=Mike Zizzo|date=15 June 1994|access-date=24 September 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/news/newsid=1451394.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616105947/http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/news/newsid=1451394.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=16 June 2011|title=Valderrama: Colombia aren't creative enough|website=FIFA.com|publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association|date=13 June 2011|access-date=19 March 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/CMS-4705245|title=Elegidos los cinco mejores jugadores de la historia de Colombia en los 60 años de fútbol profesional|newspaper=El Tiempo|language=es|date=4 December 2008|access-date=6 January 2017}}</ref>

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 recognisable footballers in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He won the [[South American Footballer of the Year]] award in 1987 and 1993, He is the fifth highest assister in the history of national teams and the twelfth overall, including clubs, and in 1999, he was also named one of the top 100 players of the 20th century by [[World Soccer (magazine)|World Soccer]].

Valderrama was a member of the [[Colombia national football team]] from 1985 until 1998. He represented Colombia in 111 full internationals and scored 11 times, making him the second-most capped [[Association footballer|player]] in the country's history, behind only [[David Ospina]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-copa-bra-col-report-idUKKCN2E007P |title=Soccer-Late goal gives Brazil controversial 2–1 win over Colombia |work=Reuters |date=24 June 2021 |access-date=24 June 2021 }}</ref> He played a major role during the golden era of Colombian football in the 1990s, representing his national side in three [[FIFA World Cup]]s and five [[Copa América]] tournaments.

After spending most of his career playing club football in South America and Europe, towards the end of his career Valderrama played in [[Major League Soccer]], joining the league in its first season. One of the most recognisable players in the league at the time of its inception, he helped popularise the league during the second half of the 1990s. He remained an icon, and is one of the most decorated MLS players; in 2005, he was named to the [[MLS All-Time Best XI]].<ref name="Colombian flavour on the rise">{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/live-scores/news/y=2012/m=4/news=colombian-flavour-the-rise-mls-1614638.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170106014304/http://www.fifa.com/live-scores/news/y=2012/m=4/news=colombian-flavour-the-rise-mls-1614638.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 January 2017|title=Colombian flavour on the rise in MLS|publisher=FIFA.com|date=15 April 2012|access-date=5 January 2017}}</ref><ref name="mlssoccer1">[http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2012/03/08/colombians-mls-stability-status-influence-recent-shift Colombians in MLS: Stability, status influence recent shift] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150801111349/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2012/03/08/colombians-mls-stability-status-influence-recent-shift |date=1 August 2015 }}. MLSsoccer.com (8 March 2012). Retrieved on 1 September 2020.</ref><ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/sep/19/mls-colombia-colombians-portland-timbers-diego-chara Why are so many Colombians keen to play in MLS? | Football]. The Guardian. Retrieved on 1 September 2020.</ref><ref>Raimondo, Avery. (19 October 2010) [http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/1110/major-league-soccer/2010/10/19/2172421/colombia-makes-an-impact-on-major-league-soccer Colombia Makes An Impact On Major League Soccer]. Goal.com. Retrieved on 1 September 2020.</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120719212722/https://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/clubfootball/news/newsid=1614638.html Colombian flavour on the rise in MLS]. FIFA.com. 15 April 2012</ref>

==Club career==
===Colombia and Europe===
Born on 2 September 1961, in [[Santa Marta]], Colombia, Valderrama began his career at [[Unión Magdalena]] of the Colombian First Division in 1981. He also later played for [[Millonarios]] in 1984. He joined [[Deportivo Cali]] in 1985, where he played most of his Colombian football. In 1988, he moved to the [[Ligue 1|French First Division]] side [[Montpellier Hérault SC|Montpellier]]. He struggled to adapt to the less technical and the faster, more physical, and tactical brand of football being played in Europe, losing his place in the squad. However, his passing ability later saw him become the club's main creative force, and he played a decisive role as his side won the [[Coupe de France]] in [[1990 Coupe de France final|1990]]. In 1991, he remained in Europe and joined Spanish side [[Real Valladolid]] for a season. He then returned to Colombia in 1992 and went on to play for [[Independiente Medellín]], and subsequently [[Atlético Junior]] in 1993, with whom he won the Colombian championship in 1993 and 1995.<ref name=Profile/><ref name="treccani">{{cite web|url=http://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/carlos-valderrama_(Enciclopedia-dello-Sport)/|title=Valderrama, Carlos|publisher=Treccani: Enciclopedia dello Sport (2002)|language=it|author1=Matteo Dotto|access-date=5 January 2017}}</ref><ref name="autogenerated1">[https://web.archive.org/web/20140819083326/https://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/organisation/news/newsid=87394/index.html Valderrama: an artist's short spell in Montpellier]. FIFA.com. 25 May 2003</ref>

===MLS career===
[[File:Carlos Valderrama 1998.jpg|thumb|Valderrama at a [[Tampa Bay Mutiny]] fan meet in 1998]]
Valderrama began his [[Major League Soccer]] career with the US side [[Tampa Bay Mutiny]] in the league's inaugural [[1996 Major League Soccer season|1996 season]]. The team won the first ever [[Supporters' Shield]], awarded for having the league's best regular season record, while Valderrama was the league's first [[Major League Soccer MVP Award|Most Valuable Player]], finishing the season with 4 goals and 17 assists. He remained with the club for the 1997 season, and also spent a spell on loan back at Deportivo Cali in Colombia, before moving to another MLS side, [[Miami Fusion]], in 1998, where he also remained for two seasons. He returned to Tampa Bay in 2000, spending two more seasons with the club; while a member of the Mutiny, the team would sell Carlos Valderrama wigs at [[Tampa Stadium]].<ref name=Profile/> In the [[2000 MLS season]], the 38-year-old Valderrama recorded the only 20+ assist season in MLS history—ending the season with 26 — a single season assist record that remains intact to this day, and which MLS itself suggested was an "unbreakable" record in a 2012 article.<ref name=unbreakable>{{Cite web |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/video/2012/06/22/power-5-unbreakable-records-valderramas-26-assists-2000 |title=Power 5 Unbreakable Records – Valderrama's 26 assists in 2000 |website=MLSsoccer.com |date=22 June 2012 |access-date=1 September 2020}}</ref>

In 2001, Valderrama joined the [[Colorado Rapids]], and remained with the team until 2002, when he retired. He played his last career match in a 1–1 draw with the [[Sporting Kansas City|Kansas City Wizards]] on 20 September 2002, with Valderrama assisting [[Mark Chung (soccer)|Mark Chung]]'s goal, and in doing so at the age of 41 years and 18 days, he became the oldest player in the league's history at the time, a record that has since been surpassed by four other players, including three goalkeepers.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://fansided.com/posts/15-oldest-players-mls-history |title=Top 15 oldest players in MLS history |website=fansided.com |date=9 April 2024 |access-date=24 October 2024}}</ref> His American soccer league career spanned a total of eight years, during which he made 175 appearances. In the MLS, Valderrama scored relatively few goals (16) for a midfielder, but is the league's fourth all-time leader in assists (114) after [[Brad Davis (soccer)|Brad Davis]] (123), [[Steve Ralston]] (135) – a former teammate, and [[Landon Donovan]] (145). In 2005, he was named to the [[MLS All-Time Best XI]].<ref name=mlssoccer.com>{{Cite web |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/carlos-valderrama |title=Carlos Valderrama |website=MLSsoccer.com |access-date=1 September 2020}}</ref>

==International career==
Valderrama was a member of the [[Colombia national football team]] from 1985 until 1998; he made 111 international appearances, scoring 11 goals, making him the most capped [[Association footballer|outfield player]] in the country's history. He represented and [[Captain (association football)|captained]] his national side in the [[1990 FIFA World Cup|1990]], [[1994 FIFA World Cup|1994]], and 
[[1998 FIFA World Cup]]s, and also took part in the [[1987 Copa América|1987]], [[1989 Copa América|1989]], [[1991 Copa América|1991]], [[1993 Copa América|1993]], and [[1995 Copa América]] tournaments.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/fifa-tournaments/players-coaches/people=44708/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151005005749/http://www.fifa.com/fifa-tournaments/players-coaches/people=44708/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 October 2015|title=FIFA Profile – Carlos Valderrama|publisher=FIFA.com|access-date=5 January 2016}}</ref>

Valderrama made his international debut on 27 October 1985, in a 3–0 defeat to [[Paraguay national football team|Paraguay]] in a [[1986 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL)|1986 World Cup qualifying match]], at the age of 24. In his first major international tournament, he helped Colombia to a third-place finish at the 1987 Copa América in Argentina, as his team's captain, where he was named the tournament's best player; during the tournament, he scored the opening goal in Colombia's 2–0 over [[Bolivia national football team|Bolivia]] on 1 July, their first match of the group stage.<ref name=Profile/><ref name="Colombian king"/>

Some of Valderrama's most impressive international performances came during the [[1990 FIFA World Cup]] in Italy, during which he served as Colombia's captain. He helped his team to a 2–0 win against the [[United Arab Emirates national football team|UAE]] in Colombia's opening match of the group stage, scoring the second goal of the match with a strike from 20 yards. Colombia lost their second match against [[Yugoslavia national football team|Yugoslavia]], however, needing at least a draw against the eventual champions [[Germany national football team|West Germany]] in their final group match in order to advance to the next round of the competition. In the decisive game, German striker [[Pierre Littbarski]] scored what appeared to be the winning goal in the 88th minute of the game; however, within the last minute of injury time, Valderrama beat several opposing players and made a crucial left-footed pass to [[Freddy Rincón]], who subsequently equalised, sealing a place for Colombia in the second round of the tournament with a 1–1 draw. Colombia were eliminated in the round of 16, following a 2–1 extra time loss to [[Cameroon national football team|Cameroon]].<ref name=Profile/><ref name="Colombian king"/><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ami5tGXM0VU Italia 90 Mundial World Cup 1990 Germany v Colombia]. YouTube (7 February 2009). Retrieved on 1 September 2020.</ref>

On 5 September 1993, Valderrama contributed to Colombia's historic 5–0 victory over South American rivals [[Argentina national football team|Argentina]] at the [[Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti|Monumental]] in Buenos Aires, which allowed them to [[1994 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL)|qualify for the 1994 World Cup]].<ref name="autogenerated2">[https://web.archive.org/web/20140703052210/http://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/news/newsid=2167928/index.html The day Colombia rocked the Monumental]. FIFA.com. 6 September 2013</ref> Although much was expected of Valderrama at the World Cup, an injury during a pre-tournament warm-up game put his place in the squad in jeopardy; although he was able to regain match fitness in time for the tournament, Colombia disappointed and suffered a first-round elimination following defeats to [[Romania national football team|Romania]] and the hosts [[United States men's national soccer team|USA]]. However, it is widely believed that internal problems and threats by [[drug cartel]] groups at the time contributed to the team's underwhelming results in the competition, in particular following the murder of [[Andrés Escobar]] after Colombia's 2–1 defeat to the host nation in the second group match; during the match, the Colombian defender had netted an [[own goal]] to open the scoring, which ultimately proved to be decisive,<ref name=Profile/><ref name="Colombian king"/><ref>{{Cite news |last=Drezner |first=Daniel |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/02/AR2006060201401.html |title=The Soccer Wars |date=4 June 2006 |newspaper=The Washington Post |page=B01}}</ref> despite a 2–0 win over [[Switzerland national football team|Switzerland]] in the final first round fixture.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/mens/worldcup/1994usa/match-center/3074 |title=1994 FIFA World Cup USA™ : Switzerland - Colombia |publisher=www.fifa.com |access-date=17 November 2023 }}</ref>

Four years later, Valderrama led his nation to [[1998 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL)|qualify for the 1998 World Cup]] in France, scoring three goals during the qualifying stages. His impact in the final tournament at the advancing age of 37, however, was less decisive, and, despite defeating [[Tunisia national football team|Tunisia]], Colombia once again suffered a first round exit, following a 2–0 defeat against [[England national football team|England]], which was Valderrama's final international appearance.<ref name=Profile/><ref name="Colombian king"/>

==Playing style==
Although Valderrama is often defined as a 'classic [[Squad number (association football)|number 10]] [[playmaker]]', due to his creativity and offensive contribution, in reality he was not a classic playmaker in the traditional sense. Although he often wore the number 10 shirt throughout his career and was deployed as an attacking midfielder at times, he played mostly in deeper positions in the [[Central midfielder|centre]] of the pitch – often operating in a free role as a [[deep-lying playmaker]], rather than in [[Attacking midfielder|more advanced midfield positions]] behind the forwards – in order to have a greater influence on the game.<ref name="Colombian king"/> A team-player, Valderrama was also known to be an extremely selfless [[midfielder]], who preferred assisting his teammates over going for goal himself;<ref name="mlssoccer1"/><ref name=dios>{{cite web|url=http://www.colombia.com/informes_especiales/2004/pibe/columnista0.asp|title=El Pibe, un pequeño dios|publisher=Colombia.com|language=es|author1=Andrés Gómez V.|access-date=5 January 2017}}</ref><ref name="The Global Art of Soccer">{{cite book|last1=Witzig|first1=Richard|title=The Global Art of Soccer|date=2006|publisher=CusiBoy Publishing|location=New Orleans|isbn=9780977668809|page=166|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H2T0ZD5S86QC&q=carlos+valderrama+colombia&pg=PA166}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Collie|first1=Ashley Jude|title=World of Soccer: A Complete Guide to the World's Most Popular Sport|date=2005|publisher=The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.|location=New York|isbn=0823936988|page=64|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bgrsn7ybvNoC&q=%22carlos+valderrama%22&pg=PA63}}</ref> his tactical intelligence, positioning, reading of the game, efficient movement, and versatile range of passing enabled him to find space for himself to distribute and receive the ball, which allowed him both to set the tempo of his team in midfield with short, first time exchanges, or create chances with long lobbed passes or through balls.<ref name=Profile/><ref name=Baggio/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://chihasbagliatopagliuca.blogspot.com/2012/08/how-maturana-changed-football.html |title=Chi ha sbagliato Pagliuca?: How Maturana changed football |website=Chihasbagliatopagliuca.blogspot.com |date=4 September 1994 |accessdate=1 September 2020 }}</ref><ref name="youtube1">{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoyBzAYFg8E |title=Valderrama 1990/1991 French D1 (assists) part2 |website=YouTube |date=30 October 2016 |accessdate=1 September 2020}}</ref><ref name=Gracias>{{cite web |url=http://www.colombia.com/informes_especiales/2004/pibe/col1.asp |title=Diez veces gracias |publisher=Colombia.com |language=es |author1=Jaime Bernal |access-date=5 January 2017}}</ref><ref name=Again>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/live-scores/news/y=2006/m=2/news=carlos-valderrama-all-again-102983.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170106105936/http://www.fifa.com/live-scores/news/y=2006/m=2/news=carlos-valderrama-all-again-102983.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 January 2017 |title=Carlos Valderrama: I'd do it all again |publisher=FIFA.com |date=20 February 2006 |access-date=5 January 2017}}</ref><ref name=FirstXI>{{cite web |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2010/01/23/first-xi-heat-induced-memories |title=First XI: Heat-induced memories |publisher=MLS Soccer |date=23 June 2010 |access-date=27 May 2020 }}</ref>

Valderrama's most instantly recognisable physical features were his big afro-blonde hairstyle, jewelry, and moustache,<ref name="autogenerated1"/> but he was best known for his grace and elegance on the ball, as well as his agility, and quick feet as a footballer. His control, [[Dribbling#Association football|dribbling]] ability and footwork were similar to those of smaller players, which for a player of Valderrama's size and physical build was fairly uncommon, and he frequently stood out throughout his career for his ability to use his strength, balance, composure, and flamboyant technique to shield the ball from opponents when put under pressure, and retain possession in difficult situations, often with elaborate skills, which made him an extremely popular figure with the fans. Valderrama's mix of physical strength, two-footed ability, unpredictability and flair enabled him to produce key and incisive performances against top-tier teams, while his world class vision and exceptional passing and [[Cross (football)|crossing]] ability with his right foot made him one of the best [[Assist (football)|assist]] providers of his time; his height, physique and elevation also made him effective in the air, and he was also an accurate [[Direct free kick|free kick]] taker and striker of the ball, despite not being a particularly prolific goalscorer.<ref name="Colombian king"/><ref name="Colombia aren't creative enough"/><ref name="Boots and a bouffant"/>

Despite his natural talent and ability as a footballer, Valderrama earned a reputation for having a "languid" playing style, as well as lacking notable pace, being unfit, and for having a poor defensive work-rate on the pitch, in particular, after succumbing to the physical effects of ageing in his later career in the MLS. In his first season in France, he also initially struggled to adapt to the faster-paced, more physical, and tactically rigorous European brand of football, which saw him play in an unfamiliar position, and gave him less space and time on the ball to dictate attacking passing moves; he was criticised at times for his lack of match fitness and his low defensive contribution, which initially limited his appearances with the club, although he later successfully became a key creative player in his team's starting line-up due to his discipline, skill, and his precise and efficient passing.<ref name="Colombian king"/><ref name="treccani"/><ref name="autogenerated1"/><ref name=dios/><ref name=Gracias/><ref name=Again/><ref name=FirstXI/> Despite these claims, earlier in his career, however, Valderrama demonstrated substantial pace, stamina, and defensive competence.<ref name="youtube1"/><ref name="prestigio">{{cite web|url=http://www.elgrafico.com.ar/2008/07/21/C-115-no-tengo-miedo-a-perder-el-prestigio.php|title=No tengo miedo a perder el prestigio|publisher=El Gráfico|language=es|author1=Diego Borinsky|date=21 July 2008|access-date=5 January 2017}}</ref>

Former French defender [[Laurent Blanc]], who played with Valderrama in Montpellier, described him thusly: "In the fast and furious European game he wasn't always at his ease. He was a natural exponent of 'toque', keeping the ball moving. But he was so gifted that we could give him the ball when we didn't know what else to do with it knowing he wouldn't lose it&nbsp;... and often he would do things that most of us only dream about."<ref name="autogenerated1"/>

==Retirement and legacy==
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]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eluniverso.com/2004/02/02/0001/15/E4661A95CE2B49E1B98CA668813DFD77.html|title=Valderrama anotó un gol en su despedida|publisher=www.eluniverso.com|language=es|date=2 February 2004|access-date=10 February 2018}}</ref>

In 2006, a 22-foot bronze statue of Valderrama, created by Colombian artist [[Amilkar Ariza]], was erected outside [[Estadio Eduardo Santos]] in Valderrama's birthplace of [[Santa Marta]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://aldianews.com/articles/culture/sports/el-pibe-predicts-chat-colombia-s-soccer-deity/50038|title=El Pibe Predicts: A Chat With Colombia's Soccer Deity|date=25 September 2017|work=AL DÍA News|access-date=10 July 2018|language=en}}</ref>

Valderrama was the only Colombian to be featured by Pelé in FIFA's [[FIFA 100|125 Top Living Football Players list]] in March 2004.<ref name="Pele" />

===Media===
Valderrama appeared on the cover of [[Konami]]'s ''[[International Superstar Soccer Pro 98]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/ps/572464-international-superstar-soccer-pro-98/images/145995|title=International Superstar Soccer Pro '98 Box Shot for PlayStation – GameFAQs|website=gamefaqs.gamespot.com|language=en|access-date=10 July 2018}}</ref> In the [[Nintendo 64]] version of the game, he is referred to by his nickname, ''El Pibe''.

Valderrama is one of the featured professional Soccer players in [[Backyard Soccer MLS Edition]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Carlos Valderrama |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/video-games/Backyard-Soccer-MLS-Edition/Carlos-Valderrama/ |access-date=2025-09-08 |website=Behind The Voice Actors |language=en-US}}</ref>

Valderrama has also appeared in [[EA Sports]]' [[FIFA (video game series)|FIFA football video game series]]; he was named one of the Ultimate Team Legend cards in ''[[FIFA 15]]''.<ref>[http://www.futhead.com/15/players/638/carlos-valderrama/ Carlos Valderrama FIFA 15 – 86 Legend – Ultimate Team FUT Stats]. Futhead</ref>

Besides his link to videogames, Valderrama has been present in sports media through his work with [[Fútbol de Primera (radio network)|Fútbol de Primera]], [[Andrés Cantor]]'s [[radio station]]. He works as a [[color commentator]] during broadcasts of different matches, mostly participating during the [[FIFA World Cup]], alongside [[Play-by-Play|play-by-play]] commentators like Sammy Sadovnik or Cantor himself.

==Coaching career==
Since retiring from professional football, Valderrama has become assistant manager of [[Atlético Junior]]. On 1 November 2007, Valderrama accused a referee of corruption by waving cash in the face of Oscar Julian Ruiz when the official awarded a penalty to [[América de Cali]]. Junior lost the match 4–1, which ended the club's hopes of playoff qualification.<ref>[[Associated Press|AP]] (2007), [https://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/2007-11-01-3659438715_x.htm Valderrama expelled from match for taunting referee with cash], [[USA Today]], 1 November 2007, usatoday.com. Retrieved 10 July 2008.</ref> He later also served as a coach for a football academy called Clearwater Galactics in [[Clearwater, Florida]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/galacticsfc|title=Galactics Clearwater|website=www.facebook.com|access-date=10 February 2018}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Valderrama "El Pibe" married Claribeth Galván, a woman from La Guajira, with whom he had three children: Alan, who played soccer but dropped out; Kenny, who studies and plays for the Universidad Autónoma del Caribe; and Carlos Alberto, the "gringo" of the family because he grew up in Tampa, Florida, and became a basketball player. From his second marriage, with Elvira Redondo, a native of the coast, with whom he has lived in the U.S. for several years, he has twin daughters Stéphany and Carla, who are now young ladies and the apples of his eye. He is also the father of Carlos Alberto, an illegitimate child that "El Pibe" acknowledged in a lawsuit.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Cali|first1=Casa Editorial El País|title=El Pibe Valderrama, sin el balón|url=http://www.elpais.com.co/entretenimiento/el-pibe-valderrama-sin-el-balon.html|access-date=1 October 2017|work=elpais.com.co|date=6 November 2011|language=es-CO}}</ref>

==Career statistics==
===Club===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition<ref name="NFT">{{NFT|13683|accessdate=14 September 2014}}</ref>
|-
!rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season
!colspan="3"|League
!colspan="2"|Cup
!colspan="2"|Continental
!colspan="2"|Other
!colspan="2"|Total
|-
!Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[Unión Magdalena]]
|[[1981 Campeonato Profesional|1981]]
|rowspan="3"|[[Categoría Primera A]]||15||1||1||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||16||1
|-
|[[1982 Campeonato Profesional|1982]]
|43||2||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||43||2
|-
|[[1983 Campeonato Profesional|1983]]
|36||2||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||36||2
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!94!!5!!1!!0!!colspan="2"|–!!colspan="2"|–!!95!!5
|-
|[[Club Deportivo Los Millonarios|Millonarios]]
|[[1984 Campeonato Profesional|1984]]
|rowspan="4"|Categoría Primera A||33||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||33||0
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[Deportivo Cali]]
|[[1985 Campeonato Profesional|1985]]
|48||13||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||48||13
|-
|[[1986 Campeonato Profesional|1986]]
|46||5||colspan="2"|–||6||0||colspan="2"|–||52||5
|-
|[[1987 Campeonato Profesional|1987]]
|37||4||colspan="2"|–||6||1||colspan="2"|–||43||5
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!131!!22!!colspan="2"|–!!12!!1!!colspan="2"|–!!143!!23
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[Montpellier HSC|Montpellier]]
|[[1988–89 French Division 1|1988–89]]
|rowspan="3"|[[Ligue 1|Division 1]]
|24||1||2||0||1||0||colspan="2"|–||27||1
|-
|[[1989–90 French Division 1|1989–90]]
|18||1||5||1||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||23||2
|-
|[[1990–91 French Division 1|1990–91]]
|35||2||2||0||4||0||colspan="2"|–||41||2
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!77!!4!!9!!1!!5!!0!!colspan="2"|–!!91!!5
|-
|[[Real Valladolid]]
|[[1991–92 La Liga|1991–92]]
|[[La Liga]]
|17||1||4||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||21|||1
|-
|[[Independiente Medellín]]
|[[1992 Categoría Primera A season|1992]]
|rowspan="4"|Categoría Primera A
|10||1||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||10||1
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[Atlético Junior]]
|[[1993 Categoría Primera A season|1993]]
|35||4||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||35||4
|-
|[[1994 Categoría Primera A season|1994]]
|18||1||colspan="2"|–||7|||0||colspan="2"|–||25||1
|-
|[[1995 Categoría Primera A season|1995]]
|29||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||29||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!82!!5!!colspan="2"|–!!7!!0!!colspan="2"|–!!89!!5
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[Tampa Bay Mutiny]]
|[[1996 Major League Soccer season|1996]]
|rowspan="2"|[[Major League Soccer|MLS]]
|23||4||1||1||colspan="2"|–||4||0||28||5
|-
|[[1997 Major League Soccer season|1997]]
|20||3||1||0||colspan="2"|–||2||0||23||3
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!43!!7!!2!!1!!colspan="2"|–!!6!!0!!51!!8
|-
|Deportivo Cali (loan)
|[[1996–97 Categoría Primera A season|1996–97]]
|Categoría Primera A
|18||4||colspan="2"|–||3||1||colspan="2"|–||21||5
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[Miami Fusion]]
|[[1998 Major League Soccer season|1998]]
|rowspan="2"|MLS
|18||2||1||0||colspan="2"|–||2||0||21||2
|-
|[[1999 Major League Soccer season|1999]]
|4||1||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||4||1
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!22!!3!!1!!0!!colspan="2"|–!!2!!0!!25!!3
|-
|rowspan="4"|Tampa Bay Mutiny
|[[1999 Major League Soccer season|1999]]
|rowspan="3"|MLS
|27||3||2||0||colspan="2"|–||2||0||31||3
|-
|[[2000 Major League Soccer season|2000]]
|32||1||2||0||colspan="2"|–||2||0||36||1
|-
|[[2001 Major League Soccer season|2001]]
|12||1||1||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||13||1
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!71!!5!!5!!0!!colspan="2"|–!!4!!0!!80!!5
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[Colorado Rapids]]
|[[2001 Major League Soccer season|2001]]
|rowspan="2"|MLS
|12||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||12||0
|-
|[[2002 Major League Soccer season|2002]]
|27||1||2||0||colspan="2"|–||5||1||34||2
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!39!!1!!2!!0!!colspan="2"|–!!5!!1!!46!!2
|-
!colspan="3"|Career total
!637!!58!!24!!2!!27!!2!!17!!1!!705!!63
|}

===International===
:''Scores and results list Colombia's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Valderrama goal.''

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of international goals scored by Carlos Valderrama<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/valderrama-intl.html |title=Carlos Alberto Valderrama – Century of International Appearances|last=Mamrud |first=Roberto |date=13 March 2004 |website=The Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |access-date=7 August 2014}}</ref>
|-
!scope="col"|No.
!scope="col"|Date
!scope="col"|Venue
!scope="col"|Opponent
!scope="col"|Score
!scope="col"|Result
!scope="col"|Competition
|-
| align="center"|1 || 1 July 1987 || [[Estadio Gigante de Arroyito]], [[Rosario]], Argentina || {{fb|BOL}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|2–0 || [[1987 Copa América]]
|-
| align="center"|2 || 30 March 1988 || [[Estadio Centenario (Armenia, Colombia)|Estadio Centenario]], [[Armenia, Colombia|Armenia]], Colombia || {{fb|CAN}} || align="center"|2–0 || align="center"|3–0 || [[Friendly (association football)|Friendly]]
|-
| align="center"|3 || 24 June 1989 || rowspan="2"|[[Miami Orange Bowl]], [[Miami]], United States || {{fb|USA}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|1–0 || Friendly
|-
| align="center"|4 || 27 June 1989 || {{fb|HTI}} || align="center"|3–0 || align="center"|4–0 || Friendly
|-
| align="center"|5 || 9 June 1990 || [[Stadio Renato Dall'Ara]], [[Bologna]], Italy || {{fb|UAE}} || align="center"|2–0 || align="center"|2–0 || [[1990 FIFA World Cup]]
|-
| align="center"|6 || 22 July 1995 || [[Estadio Domingo Burgueño]], [[Maldonado, Uruguay|Maldonado]], Uruguay || {{fb|USA}} || align="center"|2–0 || align="center"|4–1 || [[1995 Copa América]]
|-
| align="center"|7 || 7 July 1996 || rowspan="2"|[[Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez]], [[Barranquilla]], Colombia || {{fb|URU}} || align="center"|2–0 || align="center"|3–1 || [[1998 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL)|1998 FIFA World Cup qualification]]
|-
| align="center"|8 || 20 August 1997 || {{fb|BOL}} || align="center"|2–0 || align="center"|3–0 || 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification
|-
| align="center"|9 || 16 November 1997 || [[Estadio Alberto J. Armando]], [[Buenos Aires]], Argentina || {{fb|ARG}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|1–1 || 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification
|-
| align="center"|10 || 23 May 1998 || [[Giants Stadium]], [[East Rutherford, New Jersey|East Rutherford]], United States || {{fb|SCO}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|2–2 || Friendly
|-
| align="center"|11 || 31 May 1998 || [[Waldstadion (Frankfurt)|Waldstadion]], [[Frankfurt]], Germany || {{fb|GER}} || align="center"|1–3 || align="center"|1–3 || Friendly
|}

==Honours==

'''Montpellier'''
*[[Coupe de France]]: [[1990 Coupe de France final|1990]]

'''Atletico Junior'''
* [[Futbol Profesional Colombiano|Colombian Championship]]: 1993, 1995

'''Tampa Bay Mutiny'''
*[[MLS Supporters' Shield]]: 1996

'''Individual'''

* [[Copa América|Copa América MVP]]: [[1987 Copa América|1987]]<ref name=Profile/>
*[[South American Footballer of the Year]]: 1987, 1993<ref name=Profile/><ref name="Boots and a bouffant"/><ref name=Baggio/>
*South American Team of the Year: 1987, 1993, 1996<ref name="South American Team of the Year">{{cite news|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/sam-toy.html|title=South American Team of the Year|date=16 January 2009|access-date=10 March 2015}}</ref>
*[[MLS Best XI]]: [[1996 Major League Soccer season|1996]], [[1997 Major League Soccer season|1997]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 2023 |title=2022 Fact & Record Book |page=184 |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/about/fact-and-record-book |publisher=Major League Soccer  |access-date=28 July 2023}}</ref> [[2000 Major League Soccer season|2000]]<ref name="mlssoccer.com" />
*[[MLS All-Star Game|MLS All-Star]]: [[1996 MLS All-Star Game|1996]],<ref>[http://www.mlssoccer.com/all-star/news/article/2011/07/12/all-star-game-flashback-1996-east-wins-inaugural-event All-Star Game flashback, 1996] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141228152403/http://www.mlssoccer.com/all-star/news/article/2011/07/12/all-star-game-flashback-1996-east-wins-inaugural-event |date=28 December 2014 }} at MLSsoccer.com
</ref> [[1997 MLS All-Star Game|1997]],<ref>[https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/all-star-game-flashback-1997-valderrama-named-mvp-again All-Star Game flashback, 1997] at MLSsoccer.com</ref> [[1998 MLS All-Star Game|1998]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 August 1998 |title=1998 MLS All-Star Game |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/1998-mls-all-star-game-373141 |access-date=27 July 2023 |work=MLSsoccer.com}}</ref> [[1999 Major League Soccer All-Star Game|1999]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 July 1999 |title=1999 MLS All-Star Game |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/1999-mls-all-star-game-373142 |work=MLSsoccer.com |access-date=27 July 2023}}</ref> [[2000 MLS All-Star Game|2000]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 July 2000 |title=2000 MLS All-Star Game |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/2000-mls-all-star-game-373143 |work=MLSsoccer.com |access-date=28 July 2023}}</ref>
*[[Major League Soccer MVP]]: 1996<ref name=mlssoccer.com/>
*[[MLS All-Time Best XI]]: [[Midfielder]]
*''[[World Soccer Magazine|World Soccer]]'''s 100 Greatest Footballers of All Time: 1999<ref name="World Soccer Players of the Century">{{cite web|url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/TeamHons/HonsWldSocPlyrsCent.html|title=World Soccer Players of the Century|publisher=World Soccer|access-date=29 August 2014}}</ref>
*Colombian Player of the Century: 1999<ref name="Colombian king"/>
*MLS Assist leader: [[2000 MLS season|2000]] (26 assists – a single season record)<ref name=unbreakable/>
*[[FIFA 100]]: 2004<ref name="Pele">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/3533891.stm|title=Pele's list of the greatest|work=BBC Sport|date=4 March 2004|access-date=15 June 2013}}</ref>
* Copa América Historical Dream Team: 2011
*[[Golden Foot]]: 2013, as [[Golden Foot legends award|football legend]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://goldenfoot.com/legends/|title=LEGENDS – GoldenFoot|publisher=Golden Foot|access-date=5 January 2017|archive-date=29 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129105156/https://goldenfoot.com/legends/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Carlos Valderrama}}
* {{NFT|13683}}
* [https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/valderrama-intl.html International statistics] at [[Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation]]
* [http://www.colombia.com/biografias/autonoticias/DetalleNoticia590.asp Profile] at Colombia.com {{in lang|es}}
* [http://www.mlssoccer.com/video/2012/06/22/power-5-unbreakable-records-valderramas-26-assists-2000 Power 5 Unbreakable Records – Valderrama's 26 assists in 2000] at mlssoccer.com

{{s-start}}
{{s-sports}}
{{succession box|title=[[Atlético Junior]] captain|before=[[Gabriel Martínez (footballer)|Gabriel Martínez]]|after= [[Jorge Bolaño]]|years=1993–1995}}
{{s-end}}

{{Navboxes
|title=Colombia squads
|bg=#FCD116
|fg=#003893
|bordercolor=#CE1126
|list1=
{{Colombia squad 1987 Copa América}}
{{Colombia squad 1989 Copa América}}
{{Colombia squad 1990 FIFA World Cup}}
{{Colombia squad 1991 Copa América}}
{{Colombia squad 1993 Copa América}}
{{Colombia squad 1994 FIFA World Cup}}
{{Colombia squad 1995 Copa América}}
{{Colombia squad 1998 FIFA World Cup}}
}}
{{Navboxes
|bg=gold
|fg=navy
|title= Awards
|list1=
{{Copa América MVP}}
{{South American Footballer of the Year}}
{{Major League Soccer MVP Award}}
{{MLS All-Star Game MVP}}
{{1987 South American Team of the Year}}
{{1990 South American Team of the Year}}
{{1993 South American Team of the Year}}
{{1996 South American Team of the Year}}
{{1996 MLS Best XI}}
{{1997 MLS Best XI}}
{{2000 MLS Best XI}}
{{MLSXI}}
{{Copa América Historcial Dream Team}}
{{FIFA 100}}
{{Golden Foot Legends Award}}
}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Valderrama, Carlos}}
[[Category:1961 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Footballers from Santa Marta]]
[[Category:Colombian men's footballers]]
[[Category:Men's association football midfielders]]
[[Category:Categoría Primera A players]]
[[Category:Ligue 1 players]]
[[Category:La Liga players]]
[[Category:Major League Soccer players]]
[[Category:Colombian expatriate men's footballers]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in France]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Spain]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's soccer players in the United States]]
[[Category:Colombian expatriate sportspeople in France]]
[[Category:Colombian expatriate sportspeople in Spain]]
[[Category:Colombian expatriate sportspeople in the United States]]
[[Category:Unión Magdalena footballers]]
[[Category:Millonarios F.C. players]]
[[Category:Deportivo Cali footballers]]
[[Category:Montpellier HSC players]]
[[Category:Real Valladolid players]]
[[Category:Independiente Medellín footballers]]
[[Category:Atlético Junior footballers]]
[[Category:Tampa Bay Mutiny players]]
[[Category:Miami Fusion players]]
[[Category:Colorado Rapids players]]
[[Category:Colombia men's international footballers]]
[[Category:1987 Copa América players]]
[[Category:1989 Copa América players]]
[[Category:1990 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:1991 Copa América players]]
[[Category:1993 Copa América players]]
[[Category:1994 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:1995 Copa América players]]
[[Category:1998 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:FIFA Men's Century Club]]
[[Category:FIFA 100]]
[[Category:South American Footballer of the Year winners]]
[[Category:Major League Soccer All-Stars]]
[[Category:Colombian people of African descent]]
[[Category:Footballers from Magdalena Department]]
[[Category:20th-century Colombian sportsmen]]