'Europe Can Buy Players, But They Cannot Buy Style'
Sportstar|September 30, 2017

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.

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

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.

Esta historia es de la edición September 30, 2017 de Sportstar.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición September 30, 2017 de Sportstar.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE SPORTSTARVer todo
Tokyo Marathon Cancelled For Amateurs On Coronavirus Fears
Sportstar

Tokyo Marathon Cancelled For Amateurs On Coronavirus Fears

Organisers in Japan cancelled the amateur portion of the Tokyo marathon, affecting around 38,000 runners, on fears about the spread of the new coronavirus in Japan.

time-read
1 min  |
March 21, 2020
Right Criteria To Pick The Tennis GOAT
Sportstar

Right Criteria To Pick The Tennis GOAT

What should the criteria be? What weight should be attached to each criterion? And what should not be considered as valid criteria?

time-read
10+ minutos  |
February 8, 2020
The making of a batting behemoth
Sportstar

The making of a batting behemoth

If Steve Smith dominated the Ashes in England in a dramatic, blockbuster fashion then his like for like a replacement, Marnus Labuschagne, is the Next Big Thing after an exciting summer of run-glut.

time-read
4 minutos  |
February 8, 2020
WHEN ACES WERE REWARDED...
Sportstar

WHEN ACES WERE REWARDED...

It was an evening of nostalgia and celebration when the Sportstar Aces awards were given away in Mumbai.

time-read
6 minutos  |
February 8, 2020
A question of recognition
Sportstar

A question of recognition

After a week of awards, one wonders if it’s only a departed player that one will be named after.

time-read
2 minutos  |
February 8, 2020
Thinking straight, thinking right!
Sportstar

Thinking straight, thinking right!

“A lot depends on when I am bowling and what is required from me. That’s something I do when I play for India and I try to follow the same thing in the domestic circuit,” says Yuzvendra Chahal.

time-read
7 minutos  |
December 14, 2019
The Big Three and the Next Gen
Sportstar

The Big Three and the Next Gen

Though the Big Three are very unlikely to retire during the same year, Judy Murray, mother of Andy, echoed the sentiments of many fans worried about the impact of their departures.

time-read
9 minutos  |
December 14, 2019
WAKING UP TO MENTAL HEALTH
Sportstar

WAKING UP TO MENTAL HEALTH

Sport at large and cricket specifically has taken an inordinately long time to address the elephant in the room — the dark abyss of depression.

time-read
5 minutos  |
December 14, 2019
Like sunshine in a gloomy dressing room
Sportstar

Like sunshine in a gloomy dressing room

Bangladesh quick Abu Jayed Rahi is new in the red-ball arena, but his swing brings back old memories — of James Anderson on green tops.

time-read
6 minutos  |
December 14, 2019
The league of the masses
Sportstar

The league of the masses

With traditional clubs locking horns with the hard-working nurseries of the game, the I-League will continue to keep the beating heart of Indian football alive despite official apathy.

time-read
4 minutos  |
December 14, 2019