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Transcription
This podcast episode is about Colombian soccer. It discusses the history of the sport in Colombia, including the introduction of soccer by the English in Barranquilla and the formation of the Liga del Atlético in 1924. It also highlights important facts such as the first Colombian champion, the most winning team, and the top scorers in Colombian soccer. The episode features two notable players, Lairo Moreno and Kevin Mier, and mentions significant events such as Once Caldas winning the Libertadores Cup in 2004. It also discusses memorable moments and unusual occurrences in Colombian soccer. The episode concludes by mentioning underrated clubs like NBAFC and Atletico Huela. Good morning friends, listeners and others, welcome to Soccer in the Blood, a new podcast about the beautiful Colombian soccer. First of all, why this topic? In my opinion, my country's soccer is very underrated. I know that we don't have the best players in the world of the best stadiums, but I believe that the passion that Colombia has about our soccer is bigger than anything else. To begin, we will talk about the history of our beloved sport in Colombia. In Barranquilla, Colombia, the English played a crucial role in the introduction of soccer. They broke the first ball and the official rules. Later, in 1924, the Liga del Atlético was found, which represents Colombian soccer at the international level. In addition, Alex Frigueiro Payán, a soccer player from Tumaqueno, was one of the first Colombians to play in Europe. Later, during the El Dorado era, from 1949, Argentine stars such as Alfredo Estefano and Adolfo Pereyra were hired. Of course, we can do a podcast about soccer without telling the most interesting facts. For example, do you know that the first champion in Colombia was the Bogotá team in the Pendiente Santa Fe in 1949? And the most winning team is Atlético Nacional, with 17 stars. And a curious fact is that Nacional won 10 of its leagues since the creation of short tournaments in 2000. The essence of soccer is goals, and the top scorer in Colombian soccer is not one, they are two. The Argentine Sergio Galván Rey and the living legend Lairo Moreno, both idols of José Caldas, both have 2024 goals. Lairo Moreno is an outstanding Colombian striker. He was born on September 16, 1985, in Chicoral. Throughout his career, he has proven to be a skillful, powerful player with a good aerial game. Despite his discipline on and off the pitch, he is loved by many fans for his charisma and dedication on the field. Until 2024, Lairo has played for several teams, including Atlético Guajaramanga in 2022. As of January 1, 2023, he joined José Caldas, where he has continued to demonstrate his ability as a striker. In fact, as of March 2024, he had scored 2024 goals in Colombian soccer. In addition to his club career, Lairo has also represented Colombia on the international stage, playing 32 international matches and scoring 3 goals. It is important to mention that Lairo was an important figure in winning the 2004 Libertades Cup. At 38 years of age, he is still a renowned goalscorer and a key figure in Colombian professional soccer. Also, I want to talk about a player that I like so much. Kevin Mier is an astounding Colombian goalkeeper. Born in Ancara, Meja, from the age of 5, he started playing at the Arroyo Negro Club and continued up to the top category of that institution. At the age of 14, he moved to Medellín to join Atlético Nacional, where he was described as a different talent by Milton Patiño, the club's goalkeeping coach. Throughout his career, Kevin has proven to be a disciplined and committed player. His family, especially his mother, have been a great source of support and motivation for him. Despite the challenges of living away from his family from a young age, Kevin managed to establish himself at Atlético Nacional and completing his high school studies. In 2023, Kevin joined Cruz Azul, a Liga MX team in Mexico. By March 2024, he had proven to be a key player for the team, keeping clean sheets on several divisions and helping the team stay strong in the Clausura 2024 tournament. Also, I want to comment on important events in our Curios by Love League. As one of the biggest teams in Colombia, the América of Cali went to the second division, not one or two, five years. So, that's the reason of a lot of teasing and also, until today, hundreds of memes. Also, one of the most important moments in our soccer were the previously mentioned Libertadores Cup of Once Caldas in 2004. I born in 2011, but I think that this is an epic episode of the soccer in all the world. Why? I think that Once Caldas is a traditional team, but not a big team, unless in 2004, when they had only two leagues in difference of the 7 of Nacional or the 13 of Millonarios. But that one was not the most important. They beat the Santos and Sao Paulo of Brazil. The teams are considered giants of Brazil. And also, they beat Boca Juniors in the final. This team is considered one of the best teams of soccer in the world. Once Caldas is not the only Colombian team that won a Libertadores Cup. Also, Nacional, a giant in Colombia and América won it two times. In 1989, with the hand of legends as René Guita and Andrés Escobar. And in 2016, with other legends like Alex Mejia, Franco Armani and Orlando Berrio. This last character is considered the author of the most important goal in Nacional history, with a goal in the 95th minute against Rosario Central. That goal was in four finals, but we can say that that goal bring the third Libertadores Cup to our country. In my opinion, that Libertadores was the peak moment of the Colombian soccer. I remember that that Libertadores had everything, from happiness to sadness, tension moments, epic games, young talents and many more things. That Cup means a lot for me, my family and all the fans of Nacional and all the soccer fans in Colombia. Leaving off the topic of Nacional and the Libertadores Cup, I'd like to talk about some unusual or comedy moments in our soccer. I don't know if you remember, but in 1993, the Medellín celebrated a coli called a shooting star. That was when, in the final match, Medellín and Junior were fighting for the title. So, Medellín needed to win and also needed that Junior lose or draw the game. Medellín won the match, and in Barranquilla, Junior were going in the 94th minute. So, the Medellín fans and players started celebrating. They also started doing the worldly famous Olympic lap, but in the 96th minute, Junior made a goal, taking the title over the hands of the Medellín. Something very similar happened in 2014, but now the disadvantaged were Junior. But the most insolent was that simple tweet on Taya Carnival in Barranquilla. That tweet said that Nacional had an illicit alignment, so the FCF decided that Junior were champions. That was obviously false, but 3 million of Barranquilleros thought that such a lie were the truth. I know that the longevity doesn't say how big is a team, but I think that they are very important and curious facts. The most ancient club in Colombia is Avix. The Deportivo Cali were found in 1913, 109 years ago. One year later, the Medellín were found, and in 1924, the America of Cali were the next. A curious fact is that Atletico Nacional were found in 1937, but is the most winner and the giant of our country. Now for finishing this incredible podcast, I want to talk about some clubs that are small, but I think that they need more recognition. An example is the NBAFC, commonly called the fabric of heroes, because they had legends as James, Juan Quintero and more. But sadly, they have never won a single league. Another team that I like a lot is Atletico Huela, a traditional and also a big team of our country. They had never won a single league, but they are very loved for all the soccer fans in Colombia. Well, thanks for hearing this great podcast, I hope you'll like it. If you want to know more about soccer, please hit the like and subscribe. Thanks and bye. Subtítulos por la comunidad de Amara.org
