Profiles of the Legends: René Higuita
Profiles of the Legends: René Higuita
by Steve Amoia for Keeper Skool
Photos courtesy of Getty Images.
José René Higuita Zapata was born in Medellin, Colombia, in 1966. He began his long career with Millionarios at the age of 18, and is still playing today for a 2nd Division Colombian side, Deportivo Rionegro. Most of his career was spent with Atletico Nacional of Colombia. He is 5' 9" (1.75 meters) in height, and is affectionately known as "El Loco."
Although he evokes many emotions in fans, along with detractors, one word sums him up for me: Entertainer. With Higuita, as Forrest Gump said, "Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get." As you will see in the videos, he was a pioneer in terms of defining the role of goalkeeper well outside of the 18 yard box. He has unusual technical skills, along with an intrepid nature. Similar to Jorge Campos, who we have discussed before at Keeper Skool, the goal mouth and box are not magnets for Mr. Higuita.
Recently, he was named to coach and train the Colombian U-17 and U-20 goalkeepers.
Professional Clubs
- Millionarios
- Atletico Nacional
- Real Valladollid (Spain)
- Atletico Nacional
- Tiburones Rojos de Veracruz (Mexico)
- Independiente Medellin
- Real Cartagena
- Atletico Junior
- Deportivo Pereira
- Aucas
- Bajo Cuaca FC
- Guaros de Lara FC (Venezuela).
- Deportivo Rionegro (2nd Division).
- 68 international appearances for Colombia.
- 29 wins, 25 draws, and 14 losses. Winning percentage: 61%.
- 54 goals conceded.
- Goals against ratio: 0.79.
- He scored 3 goals during his international career (41 overall).
- Winner of the Copa Libertadores and Copa Interamericana with Atletico Nacional in 1989.
Statistics courtesy of Frank Ballesteros for the Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation.
Highlight Video
Decline of Entertainment Value
"Football has become more of a business, The directors want results so the goalkeepers just try to do the simple things, such as a quick kick upfield, to avoid complicating the situation. The type of goalkeeper I like is the one who plays for a result and takes his position seriously, but at the same time entertains the people who pay for the tickets...
Asked which current goalkeepers were capable of matching his antics, Higuita replied: 'There aren't any.' "
Source: Reuters UK, "Goalkeepers Are No Fun Anymore," 01 May 2008.
Famous Incident at World Cup 1990: Colombia 1 x Cameroon 2
Occasionally, Higuita's theatrics have produced negative results. In this round of sixteen game at World Cup 1990 in Naples, Italy, he was dispossessed by the legendary lion of Cameroon, Roger Milla, in extra time for an easy goal that led to the elimination of Colombia from the tournament.
Creator of the Scorpion Kick
During an international friendly against England in 1995, Higuita performed what would become his signature move. Words can't adequately describe this display of brilliance, creativity, confidence, and intense concentration.
The Keeper as an Offensive Weapon
"Higuita himself scored 41 goals but the total has since being overtaken by retired Paraguay goalkeeper Jose Luis Chilavert and Brazilian Rogerio Ceni.
'A lot of goalkeepers are now taking penalties and free kicks and this makes me satisfied. South America is a production line of goalkeepers for Europe and the rest of the world. The South American goalkeeper has the advantage of being a little more daring, a little more technical.' "
Source: Reuters UK, "Goalkeepers Are No Fun Anymore," 01 May 2008.
In my opinion, specialized outfield skills enable keepers to provide more value to their team, along with their own professional trajectory. As we have seen with Rogerio Ceni of Sao Paulo FC, he provides a manager with a powerful intra-game tactical choice. Campos and Chilavert added the same type of value during their stellar careers. The element of surprise and continual skill building, whether in soccer or other facets in our lives, can never be underestimated. René Higuita was one of the trailblazers who opened the door for goalkeepers and others to see themselves in a very different perspective on the pitch.
Steve Amoia is the author and editor of World Football Commentaries. He is a featured author on Soccerlens, and also writes for Keeper Skool.
John Stevanja
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