Medellín (AP) – The Colombian ex-soccer captain Freddy Rincón, who died as a result of a traffic accident, drove the accident car himself.
This was the result of forensic and technical investigations as well as witness statements, according to a tweet from the Colombian public prosecutor on the night of April 21. These investigations would eliminate speculation about possible other drivers. On the other hand, Rincón’s brother Rafael told Semana magazine that the prosecutor was lying. The one who was driving would make threats and buy witnesses.
The three-time World Cup participant Rincón, who was revered in his homeland as the “Colossus of Buenaventura” in relation to his birthplace and his stature, was injured in an accident in the south of the city of Cali on April 11 and taken to a hospital. Despite the best efforts of the doctors, the 55-year-old died on April 13, according to the clinic. The car Rincón was in had collided with a bus.
Rincón was part of the generation of outstanding players who qualified for three consecutive World Cups with Colombia – in 1990, 1994 and 1998. Thanks to Rincón’s goal in the group game against eventual world champions Germany, Colombia advanced to the 1990 World Cup.
Rincón played for América de Cali, Palmeiras São Paulo and SC Corinthians, SSC Napoli and Real Madrid, among others. Almost 1000 fans and personalities of Colombian football bid him farewell in Cali.