Former Real Madrid star Freddy Rincon is dead
Former Colombia captain, Freddy Rincon, has died at the age of 55 after sustaining severe head injuries in a car crash in the city of Cali earlier this week.
Rincon was injured after the vehicle he was driving in the Colombian city collided with a bus on Monday, April 11.
A picture of the aftermath of Rincon’s vehicle is seen below, with the crash causing the 55-year-old to suffer a ‘traumatic brain injury, according to the clinic where he was being treated.
“Despite all the efforts of our teams, Freddy Eusebio Rincón Valencia has passed away,” said Laureano Quintero, the medical director of the Imbanaco Clinic in Cali where Rincón was being treated.
Colombia’s football federation, the FCF, tweeted a tribute acknowledging the “great loss” and saying “we will miss him and remember him with great affection, appreciation, respect and admiration”.
Rincon was a commanding midfielder who played for Colombian sides Santa Fe and America de Cali, while he also had spells in Europe with Napoli and Real Madrid.
Rincon captained Brazilian side Corinthians to the first Club World Championship title in 2000 and was also part of the ‘golden generation’ of Colombian players who took the national side to three consecutive World Cups in 1990, 1994 and 1998.
After retiring, Rincon managed a number of lower-league sides in Brazil, while he also worked as a youth coach at former club Corinthians and as an assistant manager at Atletico Mineiro.
FIFA joined the tributes to the former Colombia midfielder, tweeting: “We join together with many in the world of football to remember Freddy Rincon.
Our sincere condolences go to his loved ones, former team-mates and fans from the clubs he played for, and of the Colombia national team who he represented at three World Cups. Rest in peace.”
Former Corinthians club president Andres Sanchez wrote: ‘Fred Rincon, may God welcoome yo uwith open arms friend. My condolences to the family. Go with God, captain at the helm forever.’
Rincón, a commanding midfielder won 84 caps for his country, scoring 17 goals during in international career during which he was a key part of Colombia’s golden generation who took the national side to three consecutive World Cups in 1990, 1994, and 1998.
He started his professional career with Colombian sides Santa Fa and América, winning national titles, before joining Brazilian outfit Palmeiras. In 1995, he signed with Real Madrid following a loan spell with Napoli and spent two seasons at the Bernabéu before returning to South America.
In 2000 he captained the Brazilian side Corinthians to the first club world championship title.