Book Carlos Valderrama

Carlos Valderrama, the legendary "El Pibe," is a Colombian former attacking midfielder and the creative heartbeat of his country's golden era of football. Instantly recognizable for his golden mane of hair and his silky, precise passing, he was twice named South American Footballer of the Year, in 1987 and 1993, and Pelé selected him for the FIFA 100 list of the world's greatest living players. In 1999 World Soccer included him in its list of the 20th century's 100 greatest players. Valderrama played for Colombia from 1985 to 1998, earning 111 caps and scoring 11 goals while leading the national team at three World Cups and five Copa América tournaments. His club career took him from Millonarios, Deportivo Cali and Junior de Barranquilla to Montpellier and Real Valladolid in Europe. He then became a marquee star of Major League Soccer in its first season, playing for the Tampa Bay Mutiny, Miami Fusion and Colorado Rapids and helping popularize the young league. Twice honored as Colombia's Deportista del Año, he now works as a commentator and brings vibrant personality and playmaker vision to every audience.