2014 FIFA World Cup: The spirit of Escobar will inspire Colombia

Andres Escobar (C) of Colombia reacts after scoring an own goal during the Group A match between USA and Colombia at the ‘94 World Cup. (Getty Images)

“We must go on. No matter how difficult, we must stand back up. We’ll see each other again soon, because life does not end here. “

These are words hauntingly penned by Andres Escobar in his last column for Bogota’s El Tiempe newspaper.

As Colombia preps itself for its biggest test yet when they take on Brazil – in their first ever World Cup quarter-final – the scene is set against one of the darkest chapters in football history: the brutal murder of Escobar in his hometown of Medellin after the 1994 World Cup.

It will be hard not to ignore that on July 2, 1994, 20 years to the week, Escobar had a whole round of six bullets plunged in his back for scoring what was the only own goal of his career.

The beautiful game is what brought together a nation divided by decades of guerrilla conflict fueled by drug trafficking. In a way, it became the reason Colombia also fell out of love with it, leading the country into long periods of decline following Escobar’s death.

Escobar was part of Colombia’s golden generation – a team that featured the likes of Carlos Valderrama, Rene Higuita, Freddy Rincon and Faustino Asprilla – and was slanted by Brazilian great Pele to win that USA '94 World Cup following their 5-0 drubbing of Argentina.

The catch: Los Cafeteros’ rapid high (read: rise) had been underpinned by drug money. And their not-so-secret alliance has been chronicled in ESPN’s critically-acclaimed documentary ‘The Two Escobars’.

The tale of two Escobars

Directed by the Zimbalist brothers, Michael and Jeff, in 2010, the narrative explores how the life of Andrés intertwined with that of his namesake Pablo – one a tragic victim of Colombia’s chaos; the other a murderous drug lord. Once listed at the richest criminal in the world, Pablo’s multi-billion dollar drug cartel helped fund the Medellín-based Nacional team that Andres was part of. They would go on to become the first Colombian side to win South America’s equivalent of the Champions League – the Copa Libertadores – in 1989.

In the matches leading up to the ’94 World Cup, Colombia had lost just once in 26 games under the stewardship of Escobar. But one thing had changed, Pablo was killed in December 1993 and anarchy ensued – Colombia was in social and political turmoil. Subjected to threats before and during the tournament, Colombia’s stars, who usually glided on the fielded with an effervescent swagger, were a shadow of themselves.

After a shock 3-1 opening defeat at the hands of Romania, they had it all to do against the United States. And just past the half-hour mark in the make-or-break encounter is when it all unraveled.

At full stretch, in an effort to cut out a John Harkes cross, Escobar sent the ball trickling into the net. The first goal of a 2-1 loss to the United States, it effectively eliminated Colombia from the 1994 World Cup. Colombia would go on to win their third game 2-0 against Switzerland, but it wasn’t enough and they would return home.

In the wee hours of July 2, Escobar ventured out only to be shot outside a night club. Humberto Munoz, a bodyguard for a drug cartel was arrested shortly after for the killing. He served only 11 years of a 43-year sentence before being freed in 2005 for good behaviour. At the time, Escobar had been planning marriage, and a move to Italian giants AC Milan would have confirmed his status as one of the world’s best centre-backs.

Colombia’s fall and rise

In the aftermath of the death of their captain, known as El Caballero del Futbol or 'the gentleman of football', senior players like Asprilla and Valderrama no longer wanted to play for the national team.

Colombia hasn’t made the World Cup since 1998, and have been working towards repainting their tainted image; inspired by the spirit of their fallen hero. Escobar, who would have been 47 today, would have surely revelled in the rise of a new golden generation of stars at this World Cup.

In 1994 Colombia were playing under unimaginable pressure; and today, this youthful squad is playing with unimaginable creative liberty. Then, most of the side was based in a Colombia league bolstered by the influence of drug kingpins and their trucks of money. But in the current World Cup squad, 16 ply their trade in Europe. Ranked No. 8 in the world, their performance on the biggest and greatest stage of them of all is ever more impressive given the absence of star striker Radamel Falcao.

The South Americans have won four in four, and have been such an imposing figure that in the 4-1 defeat of Japan, Coach Jose Pekerman had the liberty to substitute in a goalkeeper. Faryd Mondragon, who at age 43 became the oldest player to ever take part in the World Cup, was interestingly a young member of the team that included Escobar.

Central to their re-emergence has been midfielder James Rodriguez, who has lit up the World Cup with five goals. Not to forget perhaps the goal of the tournament against Uruguay: cushioning the ball on his chest, before unleashing a magnificent left-foot volley that crashed in on the underside of the bar all in a single motion. Having inherited ‘El Pibe’ Valderrama’s number 10 shirt, the 22-year old dubbed ‘El Pibe Nuevo’ or the ‘New Kid’ has announced himself as one of the most technically-gifted players on the planet with his virtuoso displays. No wonder the likes of Real Madrid are trying to prise the man away from the Principality of Monaco.

Rodriguez’s intelligence and flair has made Colombia’s build-up play look ever so pleasing to the eye – just like their choreographed goal celebrations, which have become a YouTube hit. Social media has been an integral part of this World Cup, so much so that Twitter campaigns under the hashtags #football2me and #AndresEscobar have taken off.

Escobar’s death is synonymous with the Colombia of 1990, which was wrecked by violence. Their reincarnation has coincided with that of the emergence of the baby-faced Rodriguez in a rather symbolic way.

Colombia will be the underdogs when they take on the hosts in Fortaleza on July 5, for a place in the last four. But they will not have to look far for motivation.

For the spirit of Andres Escobar could inspire them to greater things.