Colombia woke up today with sad news. Former national team captain Freddy Rincón died last night after being involved in a car accident in Cali.
The news was confirmed by his children and the hospital treating him.
Comunicado #6. Parte médico Freddy Eusebio Rincón Valencia #fredyrincón #clinicaimbanaco #salud #cali pic.twitter.com/a4KLFwGYRW
— Clínica Imbanaco (@clinicaimbanaco) April 14, 2022
Rincon was registered in the hospital in the early hours of Monday after the van in which he traveled hit a public bus. The talented star suffered a cranioencephalic traumatism, and doctors had to perform a surgery that lasted almost three hours. After the procedure, Rincón was connected to mechanical ventilation, but despite all the medical efforts, he died Wednesday at 11:33 p.m., local time.
According to the police report, the van caused the tragic accident after speeding at a red light, but it didn't specify who was driving.
Mientras Freddy lucha por su vida, hay quienes siguen insinuando que él iba al volante. Pregunté a gente cercana y confiable y me aseguran que no. (SIGUE)
— Juan Felipe Cadavid (@JFCadavid) April 13, 2022
The bus driver involved in the accident also suffered head trauma, but he is luckily recovering and out of danger.
The world of soccer mourns Freddy Rincón death
Rincón was an exceptional player: strong, skillful and always ready to score a goal coming from the midfield. He rose through the youth squads of Santa Fe and played for Real Madrid, Napoli and a bunch of Brazilian teams. All of them expressed their condolences for his death.
Solo muere quien es olvidado...¡ !
Envíamos una palabra de aliento a toda su familia y allegados en este difícil momento.QEPD pic.twitter.com/c2VQCcJ6yh
— Independiente Santa Fe (@SantaFe) April 14, 2022
Comunicado Oficial: fallecimiento de Freddy Rincón.#RealMadrid
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) April 14, 2022
La SSC Napoli si unisce al dolore della famiglia Rincon per la scomparsa del caro Freddy, calciatore azzurro nella stagione 94/95. pic.twitter.com/AQcRYMO3WL
— Official SSC Napoli (@sscnapoli) April 14, 2022
Obrigado por tudo, Rincón! pic.twitter.com/y8a7g6XRhE
— SE Palmeiras (@Palmeiras) April 14, 2022
His biggest legacy, however, is in the Colombian national team. Rincón was part of star-studded squad along with Carlos Valderrama, René Higuita, Andrés Escobar, Leonel Álvarez and Faustino Asprilla, among others. He played in three World Cups (1990, 1994, and 1998) and is particularly remembered for two things:
1.) His goal in the 1-1 draw against Germany that allowed Colombia to advance for the first time to the second round of a World Cup in Italy 1990.
"One of my top 5 World Cup goals, Freddy Rincon 93rd minute equalizer for Colombia against eventual champs West Germany .
Beautiful combination with Pibe Valderrama.RIP Freddy."
By @MaxBretosSportspic.twitter.com/naHrI6nCSJ
— Constantino Portilla Jaimes (@cjportillaj) April 14, 2022
2.) His brace during a historic 5-0 victory over Argentina – in Buenos Aires! – on the road to the 1994 World Cup.
In Colombia “El 5-0” over Argentina is a match etched into the nation’s football folklore.
Freddy Rincón, a man who scored a brace that remarkable night, died at the age of 55.Qué descanse en paz pic.twitter.com/5nekLLMog5
— Nico Cantor (@Nicocantor1) April 14, 2022
Rincón's death hit hard and this is how Colombia – and the rest of the world – is saying goodbye to the legend.
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— René Higuita (@higuitarene) April 14, 2022
Sin palabras. Descansa en Paz Freddy Rincón. Mi pésame a a sus familiares y amigos. Mi oración por ustedes en este duro momento. pic.twitter.com/Lcsrz94WmV
— Radamel Falcao (@FALCAO) April 14, 2022
Hasta siempre Freddy Rincón! Te amo por siempre hermano. ¡Gracias por todo crack!
— Iván René Valenciano (@Ivan9Valenciano) April 14, 2022
DEP querido amigo. Siempre fue un placer compartir cancha contigo. A sus deudos mi sentimiento de condolencia y pronta resignación. Freddy Rincón pic.twitter.com/OnxQsUBp4f
— Alex Aguinaga G (@dtAlex_Aguinaga) April 14, 2022
QEPD Fredy querido amigo
Siempre te recordaremos x tu calidad humana,tu alegría y tu amistad
Tu grandeza deportiva,tu técnica tu garra y esa potencia indomable d un jugador inolvidable
Las condolencias para toda su familia
Es una noche muy tristed último abrazo en pic.twitter.com/ahEhMshW7a— Juan Pablo Sorin (@jpsorin6) April 14, 2022
Gracias campeón. pic.twitter.com/sRvQYkCxU6
— Juanes (@juanes) April 14, 2022
Rincón was so beloved that the Mayor of Cali announced an official city mourning period over the next three days and left the Pascual Guerrero stadium available for his funeral.
He decretado 3 días d duelo en nuestra ciudad frente a la dolorosa muerte de Freddy Rincón, he orientado que las Secretarias de Gbno , Seguridad y Justicia y Comunicaciones se pongan a disposición de la familia para organizar su funeral, hemos dispuesto del ( Hilo)
— Jorge Ivan Ospina (@JorgeIvanOspina) April 14, 2022