'Europe Can Buy Players, But They Cannot Buy Style'

Carlos Valderrama retired 15 years ago, but still RETAINS THE SPIRIT and the zest for the game that typified his image as a player. The Colombian talks to AMITABHA DAS SHARMA about football evolution.

Carlos Valderrama, now 56, retains all the charisma that made him a world-renowned name during his playing days. The Colombian retired 15 years ago, but still retains the spirit and the zest for the game that typified his image as one of the classiest midfielders of the game. The fluffy mane may have diminished a little, but the legend, who led Colombia to three successive World Cups from 1990, still flaunts the mass of wiry blond hair that was synonymous with his persona on and off the field as an ambassador of creative football. Valderrama, who came to India on a promotional assignment ahead of the FIFA Under-17 World Cup, spoke to Sportstar on various issues related to football

Question: The name Valderrama signified style and skill. Do you think football now lacks characters who can redefine the sport?

Answer: Things have changed compared to my playing days. Life was different and so were the styles of players. Of course everyone chooses how to live and as a player I always worked hard. I never had an agent and determined things on my own. Now the players have three or four agents to look after the business and all other needs. They tend to help players with every aspect of life and start controlling them.

You gave Colombian football a new lease of life wearing the No. 10 jersey. Who is the all-time best No. 10 in the world?

When it comes to the best player ever, it has to be (Diego) Maradona. No one can match him when it comes to wearing the No. 10 jersey. If we talk about contemporary football it has to be (Lionel) Messi. He defines a lot of creativity, almost similar to Diego.