Freddy Rincon, former Colombia and Real Madrid midfielder passed away at the age of 55 in a hospital after being involved in a car crash accident on Monday morning. The 55-year-old underwent a three-hour-long operation after suffering severe head injuries and had been reportedly ‘critical’ in the intensive care unit following a violent collision with a bus in the Colombian city of Cali.
Laureano Quintero, medical director of the Imbanaco Clinic in Cali, where Rincón was being treated stated, “Despite our teams’ best efforts, Freddy Eusebio Rincón Valencia has died.”
The FCF, Colombia’s football association, paid tribute to him on Twitter, writing, “We will miss him and remember him with great affection, appreciation, respect, and admiration.” “The Colombian Football Federation greatly laments Freddy Eusebio Rincón Valencia’s passing and extends its condolences to his family, friends, and relations at this difficult moment,” the statement also said.
Rincón was a dominant midfielder who earned 84 caps for Colombia and scored 17 goals throughout his international career. He was a major member of Colombia’s golden generation, which led the country to three World Cups in a row in 1990, 1994, and 1998.
He began his professional career with Colombian clubs Santa Fa and América, where he won national titles, before moving to Palmeiras in Brazil. Following a loan spell with Napoli, he signed for Real Madrid in 1995 and spent two seasons at the Bernabéu before returning to South America. He led the Brazilian club Corinthians to their first club world championship triumph in 2000.
