FORMER Real Madrid midfielder and Colombia international Freddy Rincon has died in hospital following his car crash on Monday morning.
The 55-year-old underwent a three-hour op after suffering severe head injuries and had been “critical” in intensive care following a violent collision with a bus in the Colombian city of Cali.
Freddy Rincon has passed away aged 55 Credit: Getty
The Colombian played for Real Madrid in the 1990s Credit: PA Laureano Quintero, head medic at the private clinic where he had been admitted, announced the retired footballer had died just before midnight last night local time.
The Imbanaco Clinic said in a statement: “Despite all the efforts of our medical team, the patient Freddy Eusebio Rincon Valencia has died today April 13.
“We deeply regret this outcome, and at the same time offer our most sincere condolences to relatives, friends, acquaintances and fans.
“There will never be a way to express what this really means to us and we invite the whole country to remember him with joy for everything he gave us in life with his sporting achievements.”
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Foden plays on with head gash after brutal early challenge in Atletico clash Rincon played in three World Cups in the nineties and scored 17 goals in his 84 appearances for the Colombia national team.
As well as Real Madrid and Corinthians, Rincon also played for Napoli in Italy and Palmeiras and Santos in Brazil.
His most important and most memorable goal is the one he scored against West Germany in Milan on 19 June during the 1990 World Cup.
He fired the ball through the legs of the German keeper late on in the game to secure the draw his team needed to avoid elimination from the tournament at the group stages.
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Rincon was left fighting for his life after a crash just before 5am between the Ford Escape he was in and a bus whose driver suffered a broken leg in the collision.
He was the most seriously hurt of the four people in the car, which officials said after the accident had gone through a red light.
The retired footballer was initially said to have been driving the vehicle, although subsequent reports pointed to him being a passenger.
Colombian football has begun to pay tribute to their fine former midfielder.
Their Federation wrote: “The Colombian Football Federation deeply regrets the death of Freddy Eusebio Rincon Valencia, and sends a message of support and encouragement to his family, friends and relatives at this difficult time.”
Rincon’s son Sebastian posted a moving image of his father’s hand in his from hospital last night.
He wrote: “Here we stand firm my old man ❤️💪🏿🙏🏿”
Former side Madrid wrote: “Real Madrid CF, its Chairman and its Board of Directors deeply regret the death of Freddy Rincon, a Real Madrid player between 1995 and 1996.
“Real Madrid wishes to express its condolences and its love and affection to all his relatives, teammates and coaches , their clubs and all their loved ones.”
Brazilian club Corinthians, which Rincon also played for and helped win titles including the first FIFA Club World Cup in 2000, said in a tweet: “It’s with great sadness that we say goodbye to a great idol.
“Our captain in our first world title, Freddy Rincon, died in the early hours of this Thursday.
“He will be eternally in our hearts.”
Santos, another of his clubs, said: “Santos FC deeply regrets the death of former footballer Freddy Rincon.
“The Colombian legend played for us between the years 2000 and 2001.
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Ukraine snatches Putin’s pal ‘Prince of Darkness’ & offers trade for POWs “Our condolences to the star’s family and friends, who will never be forgotten by Santos and our supporters.
“Rest in peace Rincon.”
Rincon was involved in a tragic car accident on Monday Credit: AFP
Sebastian Rincon posted a moving message last night Credit: Instagram
Rincon played alongside Carlos Valderrama Credit: AFP Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
