A mural in Andres Escobar's home town of Medellin in Colombia remembers the murdered defender.
Medellin memorial —
A mural in Andres Escobar's home town of Medellin in Colombia remembers the murdered defender.
RAUL ARBOLEDA/AFP/Getty Images
Escobar was part of a Colombia squad that traveled to the 1994 World Cup with high hopes of making an impact, as a crop of talented players like Faustino Asprilla and Carlos Valderrama prepared to announce themselves on the biggest stage of all. Escobar was known as "El Caballero del Fútbol" -- "The Gentleman of Football."
"El Caballero del Fútbol" —
Escobar was part of a Colombia squad that traveled to the 1994 World Cup with high hopes of making an impact, as a crop of talented players like Faustino Asprilla and Carlos Valderrama prepared to announce themselves on the biggest stage of all. Escobar was known as "El Caballero del Fútbol" -- "The Gentleman of Football."
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Colombia lost its opening match to Romania and Escobar then scored an own goal during a 2-1 defeat to hosts USA. Despite winning its last game against Switzerland, his side finished bottom of its group.
Own goal —
Colombia lost its opening match to Romania and Escobar then scored an own goal during a 2-1 defeat to hosts USA. Despite winning its last game against Switzerland, his side finished bottom of its group.
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Six days after Colombia's World Cup exit, on July 2, Escobar was gunned down in the early hours of the morning in Medellin.
A dark day —
Six days after Colombia's World Cup exit, on July 2, Escobar was gunned down in the early hours of the morning in Medellin.
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Escobar's death was linked to drug lords who had suffered big gambling losses due to Colombia's exit at the group stage but nothing was ever proven. He has been remembered by the country's fans ever since, like here, at the 1998 World Cup in France.
Gone but not forgotten —
Escobar's death was linked to drug lords who had suffered big gambling losses due to Colombia's exit at the group stage but nothing was ever proven. He has been remembered by the country's fans ever since, like here, at the 1998 World Cup in France.
Henri Szwarc/Bongarts/Getty Images/file
Escobar's death came at a volatile and violent chapter in Colombia's history. But its current crop of players have been an exuberant presence at this World Cup.
Volatile times —
Escobar's death came at a volatile and violent chapter in Colombia's history. But its current crop of players have been an exuberant presence at this World Cup.
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James Rodriguez is the stand out star in a vibrant Colombian team, who have won over legions of fans with its style, skill and choreographed goal celebrations. It makes its first ever appearance in the World Cup quarterfinals on Friday when facing hosts Brazil. Escobar's brother Jose and sister Maria Ester will be in attendance.
Rampant Rodriguez —
James Rodriguez is the stand out star in a vibrant Colombian team, who have won over legions of fans with its style, skill and choreographed goal celebrations. It makes its first ever appearance in the World Cup quarterfinals on Friday when facing hosts Brazil. Escobar's brother Jose and sister Maria Ester will be in attendance.
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