View source for Faustino Asprilla

{{short description|Colombian footballer (born 1969)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{family name hatnote|Asprilla|Hinestroza|lang=Spanish}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name           = Faustino Asprilla
| image          = Tino Asprilla en 2019 02.jpg
| caption        = Tino Asprilla in 2019
| image_size     = 
| fullname       = Faustino Hernán Asprilla Hinestroza
| height         = 1.76 m
| birth_date     = {{birth date and age|1969|11|10|df=y}}
| birth_place    = [[Tuluá]], Colombia
| position       = [[Forward (association football)|Forward]]<br/>[[Midfielder#Attacking midfielder|Attacking midfielder]]
| youthyears1    = 1986–1987 |youthclubs1 = Sarmiento Lora
| years1         = 1988–1989 |clubs1  = [[Cúcuta Deportivo]]                               |caps1  = 36 |goals1  = 17
| years2         = 1989–1992 |clubs2  = [[Atlético Nacional]]                              |caps2  = 75 |goals2  = 32
| years3         = 1992–1996 |clubs3  = [[Parma AC|Parma]]                                 |caps3  = 84 |goals3  = 25
| years4         = 1996–1998 |clubs4  = [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]]         |caps4  = 48 |goals4  = 9
| years5         = 1998–1999 |clubs5  = [[Parma AC|Parma]]                                 |caps5  = 12 |goals5  = 1
| years6         = 1999–2000 |clubs6  = [[SE Palmeiras|Palmeiras]]                         |caps6  = 12 |goals6  = 2
| years7         = 2000–2001 |clubs7  = [[Fluminense FC|Fluminense]]                       |caps7  = 12 |goals7  = 8
| years8         = 2001–2002 |clubs8  = [[Atlante F.C.|Atlante]]                           |caps8  = 12 |goals8  = 3
| years9         = 2002      |clubs9  = [[Atlético Nacional]]                              |caps9  = 11 |goals9  = 3
| years10        = 2003      |clubs10 = [[Club Universidad de Chile|Universidad de Chile]] |caps10 = 13 |goals10 = 5
| years11        = 2003–2004 |clubs11 = [[Estudiantes de La Plata|Estudiantes La Plata]]   |caps11 = 2  |goals11 = 0
| years12        = 2004      |clubs12 = [[Cortuluá]]                                       |caps12 = 1  |goals12 = 0
| totalcaps      = 318 |totalgoals = 105
| nationalyears1 = 1993–2001 |nationalteam1 = [[Colombia national football team|Colombia]] |nationalcaps1 = 57 |nationalgoals1 = 20
}}
'''Faustino Hernán Asprilla Hinestroza''' (born 10 November 1969) is a Colombian former professional [[Association football|footballer]] who played as [[Forward (association football)|forward]] or [[winger (association football)|winger]], most notably for [[Parma AC|Parma]], [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]], and the [[Colombia national football team|Colombia national team]].

==Club career==
===Early years===
After starting out playing football with local team Carlos Sarmiento Lora School, Asprilla started his professional career in 1988 for the Colombian team [[Cúcuta Deportivo]] at the age of 18 for a year before transferring to [[Atlético Nacional]]. He scored 35 goals in 78 games, which brought him to the attention of several Italian clubs. [[Parma AC|Parma]] won the race to sign him for US$10.9&nbsp;million in 1992.

===Parma===
In [[1992–93 Parma AC season|his first season at Parma]], Asprilla scored some important goals, including a 27-yard second-half free-kick which helped Parma defeat [[AC Milan|Milan]] 1–0, ending [[1991–92 Serie A|the Italian champions]]' unbeaten streak at 58 matches.<ref name="ESPN">{{cite news|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story/_/id/1031419/the-mavericks:-faustino-asprilla?cc=3436|title=The Mavericks: Faustino Asprilla|publisher=ESPN Soccernet|date=8 March 2012|access-date=26 September 2012|archive-date=12 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120312095005/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story/_/id/1031419/the-mavericks:-faustino-asprilla?cc=3436|url-status=dead}}</ref> It was at Parma Asprilla arguably enjoyed his greatest club success. Asprilla was part of the Parma squad which won its first international tournament, the [[1992–93 European Cup Winners' Cup]], scoring four goals in eight matches. It was his brace in Spain that rallied the Italian team to a 2–1 victory over [[Atlético Madrid]] in the semi-final. However, an injury meant he was an unused substitute as Parma defeated Belgian club [[Royal Antwerp F.C.|Royal Antwerp]] 3–1 in [[1993 European Cup Winners' Cup final|the final]].<ref name="ESPN" />

In early 1994, Asprilla was part of the Parma side that defeated Milan 2–0 at the [[San Siro]] to overturn a 1–0 first-leg deficit and claim the [[1993 European Super Cup]].

Also in [[1993–94 Parma AC season|the 1993–94 season]], Parma reached a second [[1993–94 European Cup Winners' Cup|Cup Winners' Cup]] [[1994 European Cup Winners' Cup final|final]]. However, a 0–1 defeat to [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] meant they would not retain their trophy.

In [[1994–95 Parma AC season|1994–95]], Parma again reached the final of a major European competition as they faced Italian compatriots [[Juventus FC|Juventus]] in the [[1995 UEFA Cup final|final]] of the [[1994–95 UEFA Cup|UEFA Cup]]. Asprilla was instrumental in Parma's run to the final, with three goals over two legs in the semi-final against [[Bayer 04 Leverkusen|Bayer Leverkusen]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-italy-2-germany-0-1616278.html|title=Italy 2 Germany 0|newspaper=The Independent|date=19 April 1995}}</ref> In the final itself, Asprilla was in the starting XI for both legs as Parma defeated Juventus 2–1 on aggregate.

At the start of the [[1995–96 Parma AC season|1995–96 season]], Asprilla found himself out of head coach [[Nevio Scala]]'s plans. In February 1996, after making only six appearances in the opening five months of the season,<ref name="independent">{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/newcastle-demands-block-asprilla-move-1317334.html|title=Newcastle demands block Asprilla move|newspaper=The Independent|date=5 February 1996}}</ref> Asprilla joined English [[Premier League]] leaders [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]] for a £6.7&nbsp;million transfer fee.

During his first spell at Parma, Asprilla scored 25 goals in 84 [[Serie A]] appearances.<ref name="independent" /> He is considered one of the greatest players of [[History of Parma Calcio 1913#Serie A and Scala's success (1990–1994)|Parma's successful period in the 1990s]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/837116-parma-parmas-15-greatest-players-of-the-parmalat-era/page/2|title=Parma: 15 Greatest Players of the Parmalat Era|publisher=The Blecher Report}}</ref> In his three full seasons with the club, Parma finished [[1992–93 Parma AC season|third]], [[1993–94 Parma AC season|fifth]] and [[1994–95 Parma AC season|third]] in Serie A. The club also reached a European final in each of those seasons, as well as the [[1994–95 Coppa Italia]] final.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sport.sky.it/calcio/fotogallery/2015/02/23/storia_parma_giocatori_trofei.html#17 |title=Tra fenomeni e trofei: quando il Parma era una grande fotogallery |publisher=sport.sky.it |language=it |date=4 December 2016 |access-date=3 July 2020 }}</ref> In 1993, he was also ranked by [[FIFA]] as the [[1993 FIFA World Player of the Year|sixth-best player in the world in the FIFA World Player of the Year award]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/fifa-awards.html |title=FIFA Awards – World Player of the Year - Top 10 |access-date=31 March 2016 |url-status=live |website=[[RSSSF]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160112042845/http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/fifa-awards.html |archive-date=12 January 2016 }}</ref>

===Newcastle United===
Parma sold Asprilla to English Premier League side Newcastle United for £6.7&nbsp;million in February 1996, with "Tino", as the fans nicknamed him, appearing at [[St James' Park]] to finalise the move during a snowstorm, dressed in a fur coat.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.theguardian.com/football/the-set-pieces-blog/2021/jan/06/tino-asprilla-newcastle-25-years-was-a-joy|title=He was a joy': when Tino Asprilla lit up Newcastle 25 years ago|date=6 January 2021|work=The Guardian|access-date= 6 January 2021|first=Harry|last=De Cosemo}}</ref>

At the time, Newcastle were ahead of [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] in the [[1995–96 FA Premier League|Premier League]], although their lead at the top of the table was narrowing. Asprilla's arrival on [[Tyneside]] came just months after earlier media reports of a move to England, with [[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]] being linked with his signature.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/that-was-the-season-that-was-1345862.html|title=That was the season that was|date=5 May 1996|work=The Independent|first=Jon|last=Culley|accessdate=17 October 2025}}</ref>

Asprilla made his league debut in Newcastle's 2–1 win over [[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]] at the [[Riverside Stadium]] on 10 February 1996, coming on as a second-half substitute with the score 1–0 in Middlesbrough's favour. He made an immediate impact, creating the assist for Newcastle's equaliser. However, his time on Tyneside was blighted by inconsistency and off-field incidents, and outsiders blamed Asprilla as one of the reasons Newcastle wen on to concede the 1995–96 Premier League title to eventual winners Manchester United, but manager [[Kevin Keegan]] and team-mate [[Keith Gillespie]] disagree with that.<ref name=BBCCult>{{cite news |first=Ciaran|last=Kelly|title=The cult of Asprilla - and the night Newcastle stunned Barcelona |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c0r01j810gwo|date=18 September 2025 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=18 September 2025}}</ref>

Asprilla's [[1996–97 Newcastle United F.C. season|second season]] for Newcastle ended with the club finishing in second place once again, behind Manchester United. His role was largely reduced to substitute appearances, although he retained his best performances for the club's [[1996–97 UEFA Cup|UEFA Cup campaign]], scoring five goals. His celebration of the goal he scored against [[FC Metz|Metz]], whereby he removed his shirt and swung it from a corner flag, resulted in Asprilla being given a yellow card, meaning a suspension from Newcastle's next UEFA Cup match against [[AS Monaco FC|Monaco]].

The [[1997–98 Newcastle United F.C. season|1997–98 season]] was Asprilla's last for Newcastle. With the sale of striker [[Les Ferdinand]] to [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]] and a serious injury to [[Alan Shearer]] during the pre-season, Asprilla was preferred as first-choice striker alongside the young, inexperienced [[Jon Dahl Tomasson]]. Newcastle's second-place league finish the season before meant they qualified for the [[1997–98 UEFA Champions League|UEFA Champions League]]; Asprilla started the first game against [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]] on 17 September 1997 and [[List of UEFA Champions League hat-tricks|scored a hat-trick]] in a 3–2 win.<ref name=BBCCult/> These would turn out to be his last goals for the club.<ref name=BBCCult/> By the end of January 1998, with Newcastle struggling in the league and eliminated from the Champions League, Asprilla's time at Newcastle came to an end. He was sold back to Parma for £6&nbsp;million, having scored a total of nine goals in 48 Premier League appearances and nine goals in 11 European matches.<ref name=BBCCult/>

===Return to Parma===
In his second spell at Parma, Asprilla won his second UEFA Cup, coming on as a substitute as Parma defeated [[Olympique de Marseille|Marseille]] in the [[1999 UEFA Cup Final|final]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-parma-seize-blancs-gift-1093340.html|title=Football: Parma seize Blanc's gift|newspaper=The Independent|date=12 May 1999 |access-date=6 December 2016}}</ref>

===Palmeiras===
Asprilla played in the successful Palmeiras team in the 1999 and 2000 seasons. He won both the [[Torneio Rio-São Paulo|Rio-São Paulo Tournament]] and the [[Copa dos Campeões|Brazilian Champions Cup]] in 2000.

===Later career and Darlington link===
Although his brief time with Palmeiras saw the team achieve success, for Asprilla personally his time there marked the beginning of a pattern of short, relatively unproductive stays with various clubs across various countries, including Brazil, Mexico, Chile, Colombia and Argentina.

During a time which was generally low-key, he appeared in the public eye again in 2002 amid reports he had been approached by English [[Football League Third Division|Division Three]] side [[Darlington F.C.|Darlington]]. Darlington successfully appealed an initial work permit refusal and had offered around £17,000 per week plus 20% of gate receipts, a car and a rent-free flat. Chairman [[George Reynolds (business)|George Reynolds]] considered they were friends and in fact paraded Asprilla in front of 5,163 fans before Darlington's 2–0 win over [[Carlisle United F.C.|Carlisle United]] on 27 August, believing the intended two-year contract was good as signed. However, it was reported that after Asprilla stalled on taking a medical on 29 August, in the early hours of 30 August he caught a flight from Newcastle Airport to the Middle East, apparently to accept a more lucrative contract offer (the identity of the club was not revealed). Reynolds described himself as "absolutely gutted" by the snub, complaining Asprilla "did not even have the decency to say goodbye" and said he would never talk to him again.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/darlington/2222014.stm|title=Asprilla snubs Darlington|access-date=6 February 2011|work=BBC Sport|date=30 August 2002}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/darlington-left-furious-as-asprilla-flies-away-641529.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100725083049/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/darlington-left-furious-as-asprilla-flies-away-641529.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 July 2010|title=Darlington left furious as Asprilla flies away|work=The Independent|date=31 August 2002 | location=London | first=Jim | last=Van Wijk}}</ref> This was the second time Darlington was snubbed by a high-profile ex-Newcastle player that summer, the first being [[Paul Gascoigne]].

===Retirement===
In July 2009, Asprilla officially retired from top flight football following a retirement match in Medellín, Colombia. Although this marks his official retirement date, he had not been actively employed by a professional side in around five years.

==International career==
===Summary===
Asprilla scored 20 goals in 57 matches for [[Colombia national football team|Colombia]] from 1993 to 2001 and played for his country at the [[1994 FIFA World Cup|1994]] and [[1998 FIFA World Cup]]s. Asprilla was expected to be one of the top players of the 1994 tournament, but failed to score a single goal as Colombia was eliminated in the first round.

===1992 Summer Olympics===
Asprilla was a member of the Colombian team at the [[1992 Summer Olympics]] in [[Barcelona]] where the team was eliminated in the first round following losses to Spain (4–0) and Egypt (3–4) and a draw with Qatar (1–1).

===1993 Copa America===
In the [[1993 Copa América]], held in Ecuador, Colombia finished third overall. After topping Group C with a 2–1 win over [[Mexico national football team|Mexico]] and draws with [[Bolivia national football team|Bolivia]] (1–1) and [[Argentina national football team|Argentina]] (1–1), Colombia defeated [[Uruguay national football team|Uruguay]] 1–1 (5–3 on penalties) before losing 0–0 (6–5 on penalties) to Argentina in the semi-final, the eventual tournament winners. In the match for third place, Colombia defeated hosts [[Ecuador national football team|Ecuador]] 1–0 to claim third place. Asprilla did not score in the tournament.

===1994 FIFA World Cup===
Asprilla was part of the Colombian team which demolished Argentina 5–0 in a World Cup Qualifier match in [[Buenos Aires]] in 1993, where Asprilla scored twice. Colombia finished undefeated in the South American qualifying group. Entering the 1994 World Cup, there were high expectations for Colombia as a dark horse favourite to win the tournament with a squad that included such notable players as [[Carlos Valderrama]], [[Freddy Rincón]] and Asprilla. However, with one win and two losses, Colombia finished at the bottom of their group and was eliminated after the first round. Asprilla himself had a disappointing tournament, failing to score, and left the tournament before the group stage had concluded.

===1995 Copa América===
In the [[1995 Copa América]], held and won by Uruguay, Colombia again finished third. Colombia started out by finishing third in Group B with a 1–1 draw with [[Peru national football team|Peru]] (Asprilla scored the goal), a 1–0 win over Ecuador and a 0–3 loss to [[Brazil national football team|Brazil]]. The nation then went on to defeat [[Paraguay national football team|Paraguay]] 5–4 on penalties after a 1–1 draw in the quarter-finals before losing to Uruguay 2–0 in the semi-final. In the third place match, Colombia faced the [[United States men's national soccer team|United States]], which Colombia easily defeated 4–1 with Asprilla scoring one of the Colombians' four goals in the match.

===1998 FIFA World Cup===
In the [[1998 FIFA World Cup]], held in France, expectations were again high for Colombia and Asprilla remained in the team. However, again Colombia was eliminated in the first round following one win and two losses. Asprilla was dismissed from the team after complaining to reporters about the head coach's decision to substitute him near the end of Colombia's opening loss against [[Romania national football team|Romania]].

In 2001, at age 32, Asprilla retired from international football.

==Personal life==
In 2008, he was arrested for allegedly firing a machine gun at security forces near his farm in Colombia. He was placed under house arrest on charges of weapons possession and criminal damage.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rajan |first1=Amol |title=Colombian footballer accusedof machine-gun shooting spree |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/colombian-footballer-accusedof-machine-gun-shooting-spree-856093.html |access-date=18 September 2020 |work=The Independent |date=28 June 2008}}</ref> He has appeared in various Colombian Reality Shows, such as ''Desafio'' 2005 and ''Nomadas''.

He made a return to St James' Park on 22 January 2011 appearing on the pitch at half time during Newcastle United's Premier League home match against [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]] and attended a charity dinner in [[Gateshead]] that evening, alongside Les Ferdinand and [[Peter Beardsley]], where he spoke of his affection for the Newcastle fans.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/evening-chronicle-news/2011/01/22/faustino-asprilla-entertains-at-charity-event-72703-28035497/|title=Faustino Asprilla entertains at charity event|publisher=ChronicleLive, the Evening Chronicle newspaper online|date=22 January 2011 | location=North East | first=James | last=Moore}}</ref>

In early 2013, Asprilla was linked with a return to his former club Newcastle. Asprilla spoke of performing a coaching role with the youth squad as well as developing a special role in introducing young talent into the academy from his homeland Colombia. His intention is to give Colombians a chance to showcase their skills in European/English football, based on the sheer amount of talent that has come from Colombia in recent years.

Asprilla played in former ''Magpies'' goalkeeper [[Steve Harper]]'s testimonial match on 11 September 2013 against [[A.C. Milan|A.C. Milan Glorie]]. He had a header disallowed for offside before the Italians won 2–1 on penalties.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/steve-harper-testimonial-newcastle-milan-2267895|title=Newcastle and Milan legends turn out for Steve Harper's charity testimonial|first=Simon|last=Bird|date=11 September 2013|website=mirror}}</ref>

In September 2014, it was revealed Asprilla was preparing to launch a range of flavoured [[condom]]s in Colombia.<ref name="condom"/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/sep/25/faustino-asprilla-launch-line-condoms-colombia-guava-flavour|title= Faustino Asprilla's latest business venture: guava-flavoured condoms |work=The Guardian|last=Montes|first=Euclides|date=25 September 2014}}</ref> In 2020, he sold the products at a special promotional price in order to ease the strains of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] in his home country.<ref name="promotion">{{cite web |url=https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/i-cant-use-them-all-ex-newcastle-favourite-asprilla/1lgc5430wn2cv1le11403ifq7s |title='I can't use them all!' - Ex-Newcastle favourite Asprilla announces special condom promotion to combat coronavirus |publisher=www.goal.com |last1=Edwards |first1=Daniel |date=2 April 2020 |access-date=3 July 2020 }}</ref>

Asprilla revealed in 2019 that a hitman wanted to murder Paraguay goalkeeper [[José Luis Chilavert]] after both players were sent off in Colombia's 2–1 defeat during a [[1998 FIFA World Cup]] qualifier in 1997.<ref name="Ex-Colombia striker">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50401492 |title=Faustino Asprilla: Ex-Colombia striker urged hitman not to kill Jose Luis Chilavert |publisher=BBC Sport |date=13 November 2019 |access-date=3 July 2020 }}</ref>

==Style of play==
Regarded as one of the greatest Colombian players of all time, Asprilla was capable of playing as a forward, as a [[Forward (association football)#Striker|striker]], as a [[Forward (association football)#Centre-forward|centre-forward]], as a [[Forward (association football)#Second striker|second striker]], or even as a creative, [[Playmaker|playmaking]] attacking midfielder in the number ten role.<ref name="condom">{{cite web |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2211003-ex-newcastle-man-faustino-asprilla-launches-condom-company-in-native-colombia |title=Ex-Newcastle Man Faustino Asprilla Launches Condom Company in Native Colombia |publisher=Bleacher Report |last1=Swaby |first1=Sean |date=25 September 2014 |access-date=3 July 2020 }}</ref><ref name="promotion"/><ref name="Ex-Colombia striker"/><ref name="treccani">{{cite web |url=http://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/faustino-asprilla_%28Enciclopedia-dello-Sport%29/ |title=Asprilla, Faustino |publisher=www.treccani.it |language=it |last1=Dotto |first1=Matteo |access-date=2 July 2020 }}</ref><ref name="cadde">{{cite web |url=https://sport.sky.it/calcio/serie-a/2018/03/21/accadde-oggi-asprilla-gol-al-milan-fine-record-invincibili |title=Gol di Asprilla. E il Milan 'invincibile' cadde |publisher=sport.sky.it |language=it |last1=Spinella |first1=Vanni |date=21 March 2018 |access-date=3 July 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://parma.repubblica.it/dettaglio/asprilla-saluta-il-calcio-in-smoking-e-limousine/1667090 |title=Asprilla saluta il calcio in smoking e limousine |work=La Repubblica |language=it |date=5 July 2009 |access-date=3 July 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/1993/11/07/uomini-trucchi-dell-altro-potere.html |title=UOMINI E TRUCCHI DELL' ALTRO POTERE |work=La Repubblica |language=it |last1=COMASCHI |first1=GIORGIO |last2=CROSETTI |first2=MAURIZIO |date=7 November 1993 |access-date=3 July 2020 }}</ref> Though never a prolific goalscorer, he was a quick, agile and skilful player known for his flair, creativity, technique, power, acceleration, and pace, as well as his eye for goal and ability to create chances and score spectacular goals with either foot; moreover, he was an accurate [[Free kick (association football)|free kick]] taker.<ref name="treccani"/><ref name="cadde"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.espnstar.com/editorial/news/detail/item704033/Asprilla's-magical-European-night|title=Asprilla's magical European night|publisher=ESPN|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130122074530/http://www.espnstar.com/editorial/news/detail/item704033/Asprilla's-magical-European-night/|archive-date=22 January 2013}}</ref><ref>{{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 name="Best Newcastle Strikers"/>

Former playing colleague, [[Robbie Elliott]] described Asprilla's playing style: "There were reasons behind everyone Kevin [Keegan] signed. With Tino it was that unpredictability, he just unlocked teams. His nickname was the octopus because his legs were everywhere and you literally had no idea what he was going to do."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/football/the-set-pieces-blog/2021/jan/06/tino-asprilla-newcastle-25-years-was-a-joy|title='He was a joy': when Tino Asprilla lit up Newcastle 25 years ago|first=Harry De|last=Cosemo|date=6 January 2021|website=the Guardian}}</ref>

Despite his talent and unpredictability, he was known for being inconsistent,<ref name="treccani"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/1995/05/17/fiore-piu-asprilla-il-buono-il-cattivo.html |title=FIORE PIU' ASPRILLA IL BUONO E IL CATTIVO |work=La Repubblica |language=it |last1=MARRESE |first1=EMILIO |date=17 May 1995 |access-date=2 July 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.parmalive.com/interviste/melli-asprilla-un-videogame-zola-il-piu-grande-d-aversa-e-giudicato-un-passatista-ma-166750 |title=Melli: "Asprilla un 'videogame', Zola il più grande. D'Aversa è giudicato un passatista, ma..." |publisher=Parma Live |last1=Aulenti |first1=Vito |language=it |date=27 May 2020 |access-date=2 July 2020 }}</ref> as well as temperamental and controversial, both on and off the field.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://fourfourtwo.com/news/southamerica/78575/default.aspx|title=Falcao form boosts troubled Colombia|magazine=FourFourTwo|date=29 April 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.footballfancast.com/2009/12/football-blogs/happened-faustino-asprilla|title=Whatever happened to Newcastle's Faustino Asprilla?|publisher=FootballFanCast|date=31 December 2009|access-date=26 September 2012|archive-date=7 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120807100712/http://www.footballfancast.com/2009/12/football-blogs/happened-faustino-asprilla|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Best Newcastle Strikers"/> He was also known for his somersault then double-fist-pump [[goal celebration]].<ref name="Best Newcastle Strikers">{{cite news |url=https://2bleacherreport.com/articles/1743666-power-ranking-the-best-newcastle-strikers-of-the-past-20-years#slide0 |title=Power Ranking the Best Newcastle Strikers of the Past 20 Years |agency=Bleacher Report |last=Anderson |first=Marley |date=19 August 2013 |access-date=15 October 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://parma.repubblica.it/sport/2019/08/01/news/_presidente_sono_tino_l_abbraccio_fra_asprilla_e_tanzi-232516019/ |title="Tino, fai ancora le capriole ?". L'abbraccio a Parma fra Asprilla e Tanzi |work=La Repubblica |language=it |date=1 August 2019 |access-date=3 July 2020 }}</ref> Due to his long limbs, he was given the nickname ''il polipo'' ("the octopus", in Italian), during his time in Serie A,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ultimouomo.com/asprilla-oggetto-misterioso/ |title=Asprilla oggetto misterioso |publisher=L'Ultimo Uomo |language=it |last1=Gabrielli |first1=Fabrizio |date=4 May 2016 |access-date=3 July 2020 }}</ref> as well as ''cobra'', due to his playing ability.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.calciomercato.com/news/che-fine-ha-fatto-tino-asprilla-il-cobra-di-parma-che-va-pazzo-p-245153 |title=Che fine ha fatto? Il cobra Asprilla |publisher=Calciomercato.com |language=it |last1=Di Gioia |first1=Alessandro |date=13 November 2014 |access-date=3 July 2020 }}</ref>

==Career statistics==
===Club===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition<ref>{{NFT|12577|name=Faustino Asprilla|accessdate= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe42280/faustino-asprilla/club-matches/|title=Faustino Asprilla » Club matches|website=worldfootball.net |date=16 December 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
|-
|[[Corporación Nuevo Cúcuta Deportivo|Cúcuta Deportivo]]
|[[1988 Campeonato Profesional|1988]]
|[[Categoría Primera A]]
|36||17||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||36||17
|-
|rowspan="5"|[[Atlético Nacional]]
|[[1989 Campeonato Profesional|1989]]
|rowspan="4"|Categoría Primera A
|15||7||1<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.laopinion.com.co/cucuta-deportivo/hace-26-anos-el-tino-debuto-con-el-cucuta-deportivo|title=Hace 26 años el 'Tino' debutó con el Cúcuta Deportivo|website=La Opinión}}</ref>||2||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||16||9
|-
|[[1990 Categoría Primera A season|1990]]
|20||9||colspan="2"|—||2||0||colspan="2"|—||22||9
|-
|[[1991 Categoría Primera A season|1991]]
|34||12||colspan="2"|—||5||0||colspan="2"|—||39||12
|-
|[[1992 Categoría Primera A season|1992]]
|6||4||colspan="2"|—||7||3||colspan="2"|—||13||7
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!75!!32!!1!!2!!14!!3!!0!!0!!90!!37
|-
|rowspan="5"|[[Parma AC|Parma]]
|[[1992–93 Parma AC season|1992–93]]
|rowspan="4"|[[Serie A]]
|26||7||7||1||6||4||colspan="2"|—||39||12
|-
|[[1993–94 Parma AC season|1993–94]]
|27||10||7||4||10||2||colspan="2"|—||44||16
|-
|[[1994–95 Parma AC season|1994–95]]
|25||6||8||0||8||4||colspan="2"|—||41||10
|-
|[[1995–96 Parma AC season|1995–96]]
|6||2||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||6||2
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!84!!25!!22!!5!!24!!10!!0!!0!!130!!40
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]]
|[[1995–96 Newcastle United F.C. season|1995–96]]
|rowspan="3"|[[Premier League]]
|14||3||1||0||0||0||0||0||15||3
|-
|[[1996–97 Newcastle United F.C. season|1996–97]]
|24||4||0||0||6||5||0||0||30||9
|-
|[[1997–98 Newcastle United F.C. season|1997–98]]
|10||2||1||0||5||4||0||0||16||6
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!48!!9!!2!!0!!11!!9!!0!!0!!61!!18
|-
|rowspan="3"|Parma
|[[1997–98 Parma AC season|1997–98]]
|rowspan="2"|Serie A
|4||0||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||4||0
|-
|[[1998–99 Parma AC season|1998–99]]
|8||1||3||2||5||0||colspan="2"|—||16||3
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!12!!1!!3!!2!!5!!0!!0!!0!!20!!3
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[SE Palmeiras|Palmeiras]]
|[[1999 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A|1999]]
|rowspan="2"|[[Campeonato Brasileiro Série A|Série A]]
|6||2||colspan="2"|—||1||0||colspan="2"|—||7||2
|-
|[[Copa João Havelange|2000]]
|6||0||colspan="2"|—||8||1||colspan="2"|—||14||1
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!12!!2!!0!!0!!9!!1!!0!!0!!21!!3
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[Fluminense FC|Fluminense]]
|[[Copa João Havelange|2000]]
|rowspan="2"|Série A
|2||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||2||0
|-
|[[Campeonato Brasileiro Série A 2001|2001]]
|10||8||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||10||8
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!12!!8!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!12!!8
|-
|[[Atlante F.C.|Atlante]]
|2001–02||[[Liga MX]]
|12||3||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||12||3
|-
|[[Atlético Nacional]]
|[[2002 Categoría Primera A season|2002]]
|Categoría Primera A
|11||3||colspan="2"|—||||0||colspan="2"|—||11||3
|-
|[[Club de Fútbol Universidad de Chile|Universidad de Chile]]
|2003||[[Chilean Primera División]]
|13||5||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||13||5
|-
|[[Estudiantes de La Plata|Estudiantes La Plata]]
|[[2003–04 Argentine Primera División|2003–04]]
|[[Argentine Primera División]]
|2||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||2||0
|-
|[[Cortuluá]]
|[[2004 Categoría Primera A season|2004]]
|Categoría Primera A
|1+<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://colombia.as.com/colombia/2015/02/20/futbol/1424472758_821898.html|title=En 2004, Millonarios venció al Cortuluá del 'Tino' Asprilla|first=Diario|last=AS|date=20 February 2015|website=AS Colombia}}</ref>||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||1||0
|-
!colspan="3"|Career total
!318!!105!!28!!9!!0!!0!!63!!23!!409!!137
|}

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

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of international goals scored by Faustino Asprilla<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/asprilla-intlg.html |title=Faustino Hernán Asprilla - Goals in International Matches|last=Ballesteros |first=Frank |date=3 October 2002 |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 || 6 June 1993 || [[Estadio Nemesio Camacho]], [[Bogotá]], Colombia || {{fb|CHI}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|1–0 || [[Friendly (association football)|Friendly]]
|-
| align="center"|2 || rowspan="2"|5 September 1993 || rowspan="2"|[[Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti]], [[Buenos Aires]], Argentina || rowspan="2"|{{fb|ARG}} || align="center"|2–0 || rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|[[Argentina v Colombia (1994 FIFA World Cup qualification)|5–0]] || rowspan="2"|[[1994 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL)|1994 FIFA World Cup qualification]]
|-
| align="center"|3 || align="center"|4–0
|-
| align="center"|4 || 7 July 1995 || [[Estadio Atilio Paiva Olivera]], [[Rivera]], Uruguay || {{fb|PER}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|1–1 || [[1995 Copa América]]
|-
| align="center"|5 || 22 July 1995 || [[Estadio Domingo Burgueño]], [[Maldonado, Uruguay|Maldonado]], Uruguay || {{fb|USA}} || align="center"|3–0 || align="center"|4–1 || 1995 Copa América
|-
| align="center"|6 || 28 March 1996 || [[Estadio Atanasio Girardot]], [[Medellín]], Colombia || {{fb|BOL}} || align="center"|3–1 || align="center"|4–1 || Friendly
|-
| align="center"|7 || 24 April 1996 || [[Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez]], [[Barranquilla]], Colombia || {{fb|PAR}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|1–0 || [[1998 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL)|1998 FIFA World Cup qualification]]
|-
| align="center"|8 || 29 May 1996 || [[Miami Orange Bowl]], [[Miami]], United States || {{fb|SCO}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|1–0 || Friendly
|-
| align="center"|9 || 7 July 1996 || Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez, Barranquilla, Colombia || {{fb|URU}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|3–1 || 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification
|-
| align="center"|10 || rowspan="3"|1 September 1996 || rowspan="3"|Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez, Barranquilla, Colombia || rowspan="3"|{{fb|CHI}} || align="center"|1–0 || rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|4–1 || rowspan="3"|1998 FIFA World Cup qualification
|-
| align="center"|11 || align="center"|2–0
|-
| align="center"|12 || align="center"|4–0
|-
| align="center"|13 || 9 October 1996 || [[Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa]], [[Quito]], Ecuador || {{fb|ECU}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|1–0 || 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification
|-
| align="center"|14 || 8 February 1997 || [[Estadio Hernán Ramírez Villegas]], [[Pereira, Colombia|Pereira]], Colombia || {{fb|SVK}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|1–0 || Friendly
|-
| align="center"|15 || 20 August 1997 || Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez, Barranquilla, Colombia || {{fb|BOL}} || align="center"|3–0 || align="center"|3–0 || 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification
|-
| align="center"|16 || rowspan="2"|9 February 1999 || rowspan="2"|Miami Orange Bowl, Miami, United States || rowspan="2"|{{fb|GER}} || align="center"|1–0 || rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|3–3 || rowspan="2"|Friendly
|-
| align="center"|17 || align="center"|2–2
|-
| align="center"|18 || rowspan="2"|17 June 1999 || rowspan="2"|[[Estadio Palogrande]], [[Manizales]], Colombia || rowspan="2"|{{fb|PER}} || align="center"|1–3 || rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|3–3 || rowspan="2"|Friendly
|-
| align="center"|19 || align="center"|2–3
|-
| align="center"|20 || 19 February 2000 || Miami Orange Bowl, Miami, United States || {{fb|USA}} || align="center"|1–1 || align="center"|2–2 || [[2000 Gold Cup]]
|}

==Honours==
===Club===
'''Atlético Nacional'''
*[[Categoría Primera A]]: 1991
*[[Copa Interamericana]]: 1990

'''Parma'''
*[[Coppa Italia]]: [[1998–99 Coppa Italia|1998–99]]
*[[UEFA Europa League|UEFA Cup]]: [[1995 UEFA Cup final|1994–95]], [[1999 UEFA Cup final|1998–99]]
*[[UEFA Cup Winners' Cup|European Cup Winners' Cup]]: [[1992–93 European Cup Winners' Cup|1992–93]]
*[[UEFA Super Cup|European Super Cup]]: [[1993 European Super Cup|1993]]

'''Palmeiras'''
*[[Torneio Rio – São Paulo]]: 2000
*[[Copa dos Campeões]]: 2000
*[[Copa Mercosur]] runner-up: [[1999 Copa Mercosur|1999]]
*[[Intercontinental Cup (1960–2004)|Intercontinental Cup]] runner-up: [[1999 Intercontinental Cup|1999]]
*[[Copa Libertadores]]: runner-up: [[2000 Copa Libertadores|2000]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{NFT|12577}}
*[https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/asprilla-intlg.html International statistics] at [[rsssf]]
*{{Soccerbase}}
*{{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050920222207/http://www.squarefootball.net:80/article/inbrief.asp?iid=840 |date=20 September 2005 |title=Whatever happened to Faustino Asprilla}}
*[http://fourfourtwo.com/interviews/one-on-one/127/article.aspx Interview] with FourFourTwo

{{Navboxes
|title=Colombia squads
| bg=#FCD116
| fg=#003893
| bordercolor=#CE1126
|list1=
{{Colombia football squad 1992 Summer Olympics}}
{{Colombia squad 1993 Copa América}}
{{Colombia squad 1994 FIFA World Cup}}
{{Colombia squad 1995 Copa América}}
{{Colombia squad 1997 Copa América}}
{{Colombia squad 1998 FIFA World Cup}}
{{Colombia squad 2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup}}
}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Asprilla, Faustino}}
[[Category:1969 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Footballers from Valle del Cauca Department]]
[[Category:Men's association football midfielders]]
[[Category:Colombian men's footballers]]
[[Category:Colombian expatriate men's footballers]]
[[Category:Colombia men's international footballers]]
[[Category:1993 Copa América players]]
[[Category:1995 Copa América players]]
[[Category:1997 Copa América players]]
[[Category:1994 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:1998 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup players]]
[[Category:Cúcuta Deportivo footballers]]
[[Category:Atlético Nacional footballers]]
[[Category:Parma Calcio 1913 players]]
[[Category:Newcastle United F.C. players]]
[[Category:SE Palmeiras players]]
[[Category:Fluminense FC players]]
[[Category:Atlante F.C. footballers]]
[[Category:Club Universidad de Chile footballers]]
[[Category:Estudiantes de La Plata footballers]]
[[Category:Cortuluá footballers]]
[[Category:Olympic footballers for Colombia]]
[[Category:Footballers at the 1992 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Categoría Primera A players]]
[[Category:Serie A players]]
[[Category:Premier League players]]
[[Category:Campeonato Brasileiro Série A players]]
[[Category:Chilean Primera División players]]
[[Category:Liga MX players]]
[[Category:Argentine Primera División players]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Argentina]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Brazil]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Chile]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Italy]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Mexico]]
[[Category:Colombian expatriate sportspeople in Argentina]]
[[Category:Colombian expatriate sportspeople in Chile]]
[[Category:Colombian expatriate sportspeople in Brazil]]
[[Category:Colombian expatriate sportspeople in Mexico]]
[[Category:Colombian expatriate sportspeople in England]]
[[Category:Colombian expatriate sportspeople in Italy]]
[[Category:UEFA Europa League–winning players]]
[[Category:Colombian people of African descent]]
[[Category:Colombian anti-communists]]
[[Category:20th-century Colombian sportsmen]]