#checkthehyperlinks

[isitsoccerorfutbol]

SON

I just realized most of my favorite players tend to be from South America, except a few.

손흥민, or Son Heungmin, was born July 8, 1992, in South Korea. At 16, he was signed by Hamburger SV and debuted in the Bundesliga. He later moved to Leverkusen, and then Tottenham for a record £22 million. He broke countless records in both the Premier and Champions League, becoming top Asian goal scorer in both. I tend to prefer La Liga, so I didn’t know too much about Son until the 2018 World Cup when Korea stunned the world by beating Germany 2-0. He’s become a character everyone loves, and the Tottenham YouTube channel is a fun watch. He’s a forward with fantastic skills, amazing goals and the Son & Harry Kane duo will always be remembered.

image 1 from bundesliga.com

image 2 from premierleague.com

[isitsoccerorfutbol]

James

Now for a player closer to my age.

James David Rodriguez Rubio was born July 12, 1991, in Cúcuta, Colombia. He plays as both a midfielder and a winger. In 2014, his whole life changed after winning the Golden Boot for a stunning goal at the 2014 World Cup. I can tell you where I was, what I was wearing, and what I was eating at the exact moment that goal happened. I was in Colombia at the time, and I swear you could hear the entire country losing their minds. Easily one of the best moments ever. After his performance there, he was bought by Real Madrid and became the most expensive Colombian player of all time, along with one of the most expensive players in general. I believe that move only hurt his career, but that is a conversation for another time. Because of his style, El Pibe even called him his “successor.”

image 1 from standard.co.uk

image 2 from sportingnews.com

[isitsoccerorfutbol]

Ronaldinho

A forever icon of the game.

Ronaldo de Assis Moreira was born March 21, 1980, in Brazil. He is most known as Ronaldinho Gaúcho or simply Ronaldinho. Regarded as some as one of the greatest to play the game, a midfielder that always kept you on your toes. His play was incredibly creative, and his use of tricks made people everywhere fall in love with the game. Watching him play alongside Messi felt like an honor. He was just so cool. His free kicks were also unparalleled, and that first touch was always legendary. His 2007 home Barcelona kit was one of the first jersey’s I ever owned.

image 1 from metro.co.uk

image 2 from everythingbarca.com

[isitsoccerorfutbol]

EL PIBE

As a Colombian myself, it is obligatory to talk about EL PIBE.

Carlos Alberto Valderrama Palacio was born September 2, 1961, in Santa Marta, Colombia. He is still, to this day, regarded as one of the greatest Colombian players of all time. He played as a midfielder and had insane playmaking skills. His passes always made it to where they had to go and watching him play was so fun. He played a major role in Colombia’s golden era in the 90s, and when he came to play in the MLS before retirement, he was always the most recognized on the pitch. His iconic hairstyle is still worn as wigs today and I had the absolute pleasure of meeting him years ago.

image 1 from sopitas.com

image 2 from huffingtonpost.com

[isitsoccerorfutbol]

MESSI

Lionel Andres Messi was born June 24, 1987, in Argentina. At age 13, he was signed by FC Barcelona and moved to Spain. In 2008, he helped Barcelona achieve the first treble in Spanish football. Right after, he won his first Ballon d’Or at age 22.

Besides the obvious accolades, I find him to be one of the best to ever play the game. Everything from his style of play, ridiculous free kicks, and how the ball seems to be attached directly to his foot while he runs. I’ll never forget the first time I watched him play in 2007, and then my first Barcelona game in 2010. Watching his press conference after announcing the move to PSG was one of the saddest days ever, but I will still watch his games always. Especially when he comes to play in Miami FC in about 2-4 years. (mark my words, it is going to happen.)

image 1 from statsbomb.com image 2 from sportingnews.com