The Scorpion, the kick invented by René Higuita, is without doubt an act of revolutionary sport.
Complete Name : Jose Rene Higuita
Nationality : Colombian
Place of Birth : Medellin, Colombia
Date of Birth : August 27, 1966
National team : Colombia
Positions : Goalkeeper
Nationality : Colombian
Place of Birth : Medellin, Colombia
Date of Birth : August 27, 1966
National team : Colombia
Positions : Goalkeeper
René Higuita (born August 28, 1966 in Medellin) is one of the most famous footballer and is a Colombian football goalkeeper. He played 69 international matches for the Colombian team, and in which he scored 3 goals.
Like many where he comes from, Higuita was born and raised in poverty. His talent saw him flourish in professional football at a time and place where the game was dominated by local business - only in Medellín the business was cocaine and related tugs for control of the market.
Higuita played majority of his club career with Colombian side Atletico Nacional, where he helped the team win the Colombian League on numerous occasions as well as the Copa Libertadores and Copa Interamericana, both in 1989.
Like many where he comes from, Higuita was born and raised in poverty. His talent saw him flourish in professional football at a time and place where the game was dominated by local business - only in Medellín the business was cocaine and related tugs for control of the market.
Higuita played majority of his club career with Colombian side Atletico Nacional, where he helped the team win the Colombian League on numerous occasions as well as the Copa Libertadores and Copa Interamericana, both in 1989.
René Higuita is famous for inventing the "scorpion kick", a clearance where the keeper jumps forward, places his hands on the pitch and then kicks the ball away with his heels. This save earned him wide admiration when he pulled it off in a friendly against England in 1995, blocking a shot by Jamie Redknapp. It is considered among one of the most famous sporting moments.
He also had troubles out of the ground. Higuita was imprisoned in 1993, after getting involved in a drug cartel kidnapping. Acting as a go-between for the drug barons Pablo Escobar and Carlos Molina, he was largely responsible for securing the release of the Molina's daughter by delivering the ransom money. He was incarcerated for 7 months before being released without charge.
He also had troubles out of the ground. Higuita was imprisoned in 1993, after getting involved in a drug cartel kidnapping. Acting as a go-between for the drug barons Pablo Escobar and Carlos Molina, he was largely responsible for securing the release of the Molina's daughter by delivering the ransom money. He was incarcerated for 7 months before being released without charge.
On the pitch, Higuita is known for having an eccentric playing style, taking unnecessary risks, and he actively tries to score goals. He enjoys the game to the core. He is also prone to blunders, and it was a mistake by him that knocked Colombia out of the 1990 World Cup, where he seemingly dithered with the ball at his feet 35 yards from goal enabling Cameroon striker Roger Milla to dispossess him, and Milla then put his team through to the quarter-finals.
Higuita is great friend of Diego Maradona and played in the Argentinian's farewell match in 2001.
Higuita-A real entertainer on the field now wins the prestigious 2009 Golden foot award.
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