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Football world in mourning after icon's shocking death in crash

sam goodwin
Sports Editor
·4-min read
Freddy Rincon, pictured here before his tragic death.
Freddy Rincon died after his car was struck by a bus in Colombia. Image: Getty

The football world is mourning the tragic death of former Colombia captain Freddy Rincon at age 55.

Rincon was critically injured on Monday when his vehicle collided with a bus in Cali, Colombia.

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The Colombian soccer federation then confirmed Rincon's death on its website on Wednesday, saying it deeply regrets his passing and sent a message of support and encouragement to his family, friends and relatives.

Laureano Quintero, the head medic at the private clinic where Rincon had been admitted, announced the retired footballer had died just before midnight local time.

The Imbanaco Clinic said: “Despite all the efforts of our medical team, the patient Freddy Eusebio Rincon Valencia has died today April 13.

“We deeply regret this outcome, and at the same time offer our most sincere condolences to relatives, friends, acquaintances and fans.

“There will never be a way to express what this really means to us and we invite the whole country to remember him with joy for everything he gave us in life with his sporting achievements.”

Rincon represented Colombia at the World Cup in 1990, 1994 and 1998.

Freddy Rincon, pictured here in action for Colombia against England at the World Cup.
Freddy Rincon in action for Colombia against England at the World Cup. (Image: Shaun Botterill /Allsport)

Besides playing for Colombian and Brazilian clubs during his career, the midfielder also played for Real Madrid and Napoli.

“We join together with many in the world of football to remember Freddy Rincon,” FIFA posted on Twitter along with a video of the player scoring one of his most memorable goals at the 1990 World Cup in Italy.

Colombia needed at least a draw against West Germany in its final group match to advance to the round of 16.

Trailing 1-0 in injury time, Rincon scored to help the team advance.

The Colombians then lost to Cameroon in extra time and were eliminated.

Laureano Quintero and Freddy Rincon's sons, pictured here addressing the media after his tragic death.
Laureano Quintero and Freddy Rincon's sons address the media after his tragic death. (Photo by PAOLA MAFLA/AFP via Getty Images)

Football world mourns death of Freddy Rincon

Rincon scored 17 goals in 84 appearances for the Colombia national team

Rincon's son Sebastian posted a photo of his father's hand in his while fighting for his life in hospital.

"Here we stand firm my old man," he wrote.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sebastian Rincon 🐾 (@srincon19)

Real Madrid wrote on Twitter: "Real Madrid CF, its Chairman and its Board of Directors deeply regret the death of Freddy Rincon, a Real Madrid player between 1995 and 1996.

"Real Madrid wishes to express its condolences and its love and affection to all his relatives, teammates and coaches, their clubs and all their loved ones."

Brazilian club Corinthians wrote in a tweet: “It’s with great sadness that we say goodbye to a great idol.

“Our captain in our first world title, Freddy Rincon, died in the early hours of this Thursday.

“He will be eternally in our hearts.”

It was initially reported that Rincon was driving the vehicle when it was struck, however subsequent reports claim he was a passenger.

He was the most seriously hurt of the four people in the car.

with Associated Press

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