The childhood “acquaintance” of Pablo Escobar has lived a life much less unusual, one outlined by massively consequential moments of insanity.
Rene Higuita has been often called ‘El Loco’ for greater than 30 years.
He insists he is not loopy, and by no means has been. And but freely admits that his life reads like a surrealist novel. He even tried to persuade Gabriel Garcia Marquez to jot down his biography.
Higuita’s story actually is kind of one thing. Born into poverty in Medellin, he was raised by his mom after being disowned by his father, and was a childhood “acquaintance” of the infamous drug baron Pablo Escobar.
He was a prolific striker in his youth however grew to become a goalkeeper after filling in as a substitute throughout a five-a-side recreation.
By the age of 20, he was representing Colombia on the Copa America, his fearlessness having struck a chord with Francisco Maturana, who gave him the nickname he nonetheless carries at this time.
“You might be so loopy you can additionally take the penalties,” the coach as soon as advised Higuita.
There was a technique to the insanity, although. Higuita was genuinely forward of his time. This was the period earlier than the passback rule and but right here was a goalkeeper prepared to come back out of his space.
Johan Cruyff’s Netherlands had, in fact, launched the world to the idea of ‘Complete Soccer’, the concept that each participant on the pitch may play totally different roles.
What made Higuita very totally different to Jan Jongbloed, although, was the truth that he was technically glorious.
“The Dutchman got here out simply as well the ball into the stands,” Maturana wrote forward of the 1990 World Cup. “Higuita can do way more.”
He was basically the primary true sweeper-keeper. “With Rene, now we have 11 outfield gamers,” Maturana identified.
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After all, there was an inherent threat concerned in permitting the goalkeeper to play up to now ahead, and it was uncovered at Italia 90.
Within the last-16 assembly with Cameroon, Higuita ventured upfield, as was his need, however made the error of making an attempt to dribble previous Roger Milla.
The striker pilfered possession and raced away to attain the only of objectives.
It proved decisive, too, with Cameroon successful 2-1 after additional time. Higuita was understandably devastated by what he described as “a mistake as huge as a home”.
Did it change, although? Did he cease taking dangers? No likelihood. For higher or for worse, Higuita remained an eccentric character, on and off the sector.
Certainly, within the lead-up to the 1994 World Cup, he made an error of judgement which might see him find yourself in jail.
Higuita served as a go-between for Pablo Escobar and fellow drug trafficker Carlos Molina, delivering a ransom that resulted within the launch of the latter’s daughter.
The issue was that he was paid for his providers and, beneath Colombian regulation, it’s an offence to revenue from a kidnapping.
“I acted for humanitarian causes,” Higuita stated by the use of defence. “If I used to be ever wanted once more to assist free somebody, I might do it with out hesitating. I am a footballer, I did not know something about kidnapping legal guidelines.”
Higuita was finally launched with out cost, however solely after seven months, throughout which era he had even gone on a two-week starvation strike in protest at his detainment.
So, whereas he was out in time for USA 94, he was in no match state to play. He was an enormous loss.
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Colombia had arrived in America as one of many favourites, having routed Argentina 5-0 within the qualifiers, however suffered a shock first-round humiliation.
The sensation was that his inspirational management was missed as a lot as his shot-stopping, as a calamitous marketing campaign performed out amidst demise threats was rapidly adopted by tragedy, with the deadly capturing of defender Andres Escobar simply days after the group had returned dwelling.
Maturana had at all times maintained that Higuita’s bravery on the ball put others comfortable, displaying his team-mates that if he may play in such an apparently care-free method, so may they.
After all, this daring strategy was greatest exemplified by the ‘Scorpion kick’, which Higuita debuted for the world in a pleasant towards England in 1995, shortly after his return to the nationwide group.
Jamie Redknapp swung over a badly mishit, immediately forgettable cross that Higuita become one thing iconic, with the goalkeeper leaping ahead head-first whereas bending his legs again behind his physique, earlier than clearing the ball along with his heels.
“Youngsters have at all times been my inspiration,” Higuita revealed to El Mundo. “I at all times noticed them on the street or in a park making an attempt out bicycle kicks, and I advised them it might be good to do it in reverse…
“And that day in England, I used to be given the ball that I had been ready for 5 years!”
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Higuita claimed that second of magic put him on the map however, in reality, he was doing himself a disservice.
He already left an indelible mark on the sport at Italia 90. His consolation on the ball had been an element within the subsequent resolution to abolish the passback.
The sport’s rule-makers have been determined to keep away from a repeat of the dour, defensive soccer which had plagued the event and their pondering was, ‘If Higuita may use his toes to such good impact, why could not everybody else?’
Certainly, it is value remembering that he had performed a pivotal function in Colombia’s run to the knockout stage, and his sweeper-keeper function paved the best way for others.
This, in any case, was a real pioneer who ended a outstanding profession with 41 objectives to his title.
He was additionally a wonderful shot-stopper, although. He saved a outstanding 4 penalties (and scored one himself clearly) throughout Atletico Nacional’s shootout success over Olimpia within the 1989 Copa Libertadores ultimate.
So, was El Loco actually out of his thoughts? Or simply forward of his time? Maybe a little bit of each.