It has been 16 years since Colombia last participated in a World Cup. Well, that wait is over because this year Colombia are finally back in sport’s greatest contest. And we think the Colombia team deserves your support!
Now I would never suggest abandoning your loyalty to your own country if they’re fortunate enough to be in Brazil this summer. However, everyone has a second team; that extra side they adopt and cheer all through the tournament. Here are 16 reasons why you should cheer Colombia in this World Cup:
1. Entertainment
This Colombia side are a fast-paced, attacking football team; they will surely provide their fans hours of quality sporting entertainment. They like to get forward so supporting Colombia offers the promise of goals, goals, goals…
2. Do it for Falcao!
With Colombian football’s most beloved son sitting this tournament out many people are writing off Colombia’s World Cup. This is definitely premature; Colombia have a wealth of attacking options in Jackson Martinez, Carlos Bacca and Teofilo Gutierrez. However, with Falcao seen by many as one of world football’s best strikers, it’s a shame for the whole tournament that he won’t be there. Cheer Colombia for our man Falcao!
3. The burden of history
It has now been 20 years since Colombia’s World Cup captain Andres Escobar was murdered in Medellin soon after the 1994 tournament. The country has been busy remembering a player who was set to join the legendary AC Milan defence that season, and could have become one of the greats of the modern game. Colombia is finally emerging from the darkest periods of its history and that’s another great reason to adopt them as your new World Cup team.
4. The Scorpion Kick
I don’t really need to introduce or qualify this reason…suffice it to say that a cheer for Colombia is a cheer for this maverick goalkeeper!
5. Mondragon’s record
If Faryd Mondragon, Colombia’s reserve keeper, makes it onto the field in Brazil this summer, he will become the oldest player in World Cup history at 42 (or 43 after June 21) years of age. Support Colombia – Support the elderly (that probably won’t catch on…)
6. Dark horses (with a shot)
People always assume the World Cup will be won by a few of the same names every year. Colombia swept through South American qualifying and have been handed a favourable draw. As dark horses go, they might not be a totally crazy bet…and you’ll seem so smart if they manage it!
7. Tiiiinoooo
Because…Faustino Asprilla. Need I say more. Newcastle United fans, you know what I’m saying!
8. Juan Cuadrado
Colombia’s pacey right-winger could well be one of the unexpected stars of this World Cup, and he may well be off to Barcelona next season. Get in on the ground floor and tell everyone you were cheering Cuadrado pre-Barcelona. The hipsters choice of winger.
9. Los Cafeteros
The Colombian team nickname basically translates as ‘The Coffee Lovers,’ which has to be the most contemporary nickname going: coffee is like, so fashionable right now! Cheer Colombia for (once again) the hipster coffee-lover kudos…
10. What a badge…
I may be biased, but I absolutely love it! The colours, the design; let’s face it, it’s a classic. Wouldn’t you like to wear that on your chest!?
11. Yes to Yepes
The Colombian captain Mario Yepes is 38 years old and will retire after the tournament: if he could lead Colombia to their highest ever finish it would be an amazing achievement. Plus, how many group favourites have a centre-back that old…?
12. The Quintero Factor
Juan Fernando Quintero is Colombia’s youth prodigy – the Medellin-born 21 year old has been dubbed the ‘new Messi.’ Plus, he may actually deserve that tag! Like Cuadrado, he’s one to watch, and one to say you knew about already. Become a Colombia fan now so you can adopt him as your own.
13. La Seleccion
How many of the other countries participating have paid tribute to their stars of old with a national soap opera? La Seleccion is one of Colombia’s most popular telenovelas, and features an actor in a Carlos Valderrama wig.
14. So Carlos Valderrama can keep advertising crisps.
If Colombia win, they might sign him up full time or add him to crisp packets in your country, and who wouldn’t want that. Or he might dye his hair some other crazy colour…
15. Underachievers…
In the build up to USA ’94, Pele was loudly talking up Colombia’s World Cup winning potential. They had a strong team, had swept aside Argentina 5-0 in qualifying, and looked like they would be a side to be reckoned with in the tournament. Instead they crashed out at the group stage. Cheer Colombia in 2014 for the great players who never got the chance to shine on the World’s greatest stage.
16. Because See Colombia travel will be. Vamos Colombia!!!
Chris
Martha on
Hey! It is NEVER too much.