Freddy Rincon

Freddy Eusebio Gustavo Rincón Valencia popularly known as Freddy Rincón is a former Colombian professional footballer, born on 14th August 1966 in Buenaventura, Colombia. He mainly used to play as the central midfielder with occasional duty as attacking and right midfielder. The right-footed player featured in three FIFA World Cups.

Background

Rincón started his professional career at Atlético Buenaventura in 1986 before joining Indep. Santa Fe. In January 1990, he went to the first-tier side, CD América.

Debut

Rincón made his international debut in an international friendly against Uruguay in February 1990. He mainly used to play in the centre midfield along with occasional duty as attacking midfielder or right midfielder. The right-footed player featured in three FIFA World Cups.

Rise to Glory

Rincón captured worldwide attention for scoring an equaliser in the second minute of the stoppage time against eventual winner Germany in the Group D encounter in the 1990 FIFA World Cup for Colombia.

Low Points

Termed as one of the potential future superstars, Rincón could not live up to the expectation. The midfielder could appear only 19 times in the entire 2005-06 season, scoring twice. His poor display cost him the European exposure and he had to return to the Latin American club football.

Club Career

After spending four years at CD América, Rincón joined Brazilian club, Palmeiras, in January 1994. He won the 1994 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A and Campeonato Paulista with the São Paulo side. In June, he penned a contract with Serie A side, Napoli, and spent a year before becoming the first Colombian player to join Real Madrid in July 1995. Next year, he returned to Palmeiras in July and moved to Corinthians in February 1997.

He won the 2000 FIFA Club World Cup along with lifting two Brazilian League trophies and one Campeonato Paulista in the Corinthians colours. In January 2000, he joined Santos FC and moved to Cruzeiro in the next winter. After a three-year stint, he returned to Corinthians in February 2004.

Retirement

Rincón’s last international match did not go according to plan as Colombia suffered a 3-0 loss against Argentina in June 2001. The midfielder played 85 games netting 17 times for the Los Cafeteros. Three years later, Rincón bid farewell to the football in November 2004.

Post-retirement, Rincón became the manager of a Brazilian team, Iraty, in 2005 which was followed by a managerial role in São Bento in 2006. He also coached the youth side of Corinthians.Eight years after hanging his boot, Rincón broke his retirement to play for the Colombian second-tier side, America de Cali, in 2012. However, Rincón indulged in the dark world of drugs and even served jail terms.