This Colombian defender was assassinated in Medellin for scoring an own goal! In 1994, Colombian football served primarily as a means for drug cartels to launder money.
The 1994 World Cup: Colombia as favorites?
Strangely enough, it was during this time, fueled by drug money, that Colombian football reached its pinnacle, led by the iconic player Valderrama. In the same year, at the American World Cup, without France’s Papin and Cantona, Colombia lost their first match against Romania, who advanced to the semifinals with their counter-attacking technique. The match against the old American foe was crucial…
During the game, defender Andres Escobar scored an own goal. Although Valencia reduced the deficit towards the end of the match, Colombia was already eliminated, even with a victory over Switzerland. Andres Escobar became the Colombian defender who was assassinated in Medellin for scoring an own goal!
Andres Escobar: The Colombian defender assassinated in Medellin for scoring an own goal!
Indeed, upon his return to his home country, Andres Escobar was shot 12 times in the heart of Medellin, the stronghold of Pablo Escobar. One year after the death of the world’s most powerful drug lord, Colombia still remained under the control of cartels, with Medellin being their nerve center. With each bullet fired, the assassin shouted, “Goal.” It was a macabre staging.
Given the corruption of the local police, who had been bought off by the cartels for over 20 years, the death of this Colombian defender assassinated in Medellin for scoring an own goal remains a mystery. The country paid homage to him.
