South American Dispatch: ‘Scorpion King’ Higuita hangs up his gloves

Football lost the services of one of its most colourful characters yesterday as Colombian goalkeeper René Higuita decided to hang up his gloves.

Rather unusually for a goalkeeper Higuita managed to notch 57 goals in his career, eight at international level. Add to this tally his famous Scorpion Kick and it is easy to see why Higuita is so fondly remembered by football fans across the world.

Higuita pulled off one his trademark clearances at Wembley in a friendly match between England and Colombia. A stray cross from Jamie Redknapp gave Higuita the chance to show the world his addition to the art of goalkeeping back in 1995.

It was not only the sublime that was displayed in Higuita’s career however as a blunder at the 1990 World Cup saw Colombia knocked out by Cameroon.

El Rey Escorpión did not let this mistake in Italy hold him back though and at 43-years-old he can look back at a distinguished career which saw him play for clubs in Spain, Mexico, Ecuador and Venezuela as well as in his native Colombia.

It was in Colombia with Atlético Nacional that Higuita picked up most of his silverware. A Colombia league title was added to with a Copa Libertadores win and two Copa Interamericana successes.

The list of names that turned up to play in the friendly match at the Estadio Atanasio Girardot in Medellin demonstrated how well respected the goalkeeper remains in his homeland.

Faustino Asprilla and Carlos Valderrama as well as a host of the great and good from the Colombian football fraternity showed up for Higuita’s testimonial. It not certain that the football world has seen the last of The Scorpion King however, Higuita has stated that he would love to manage his national side one day.

Another bad day for Boca

As River Plate won their second Superclasico of the week it looks like Boca Juniors are facing yet another high profile departure. After River’s win in Mar del Plata in midweek Boca’s head coach Alfio Basile quit, after this latest defeat in Mendoza it looks like someone else is preparing to walk.

Even before the match in Mendoza Boca’s general manager Carlos Bianchi has said that he would leave his post. It was widely accepted that the former head coach was preparing for another stint in the Boca dugout. However it now seems that Bianchi is preparing to walk away completely from the club he led to three Copa Libertadores titles.

As River’s goalkeeper Mario Vega saved twice in the deciding penalty shoot-out Bianchi sat stone faced next to Boca president Jorge Ameal.

Earlier in the day Ameal, along with his Boca board members had met with Bianchi to try and convince him to become their new head coach. It appears Bianchi was not interested in their offer and was offended that they wanted him to stop his role as general manager.

Having quit Boca once before while at the top of game Bianchi is known for being a touch hot headed. While this latest move fits in with his character Boca fans will hope he is just using the threat of walking away as a bargaining tool with the board.

With the resignations of the head coach and the general manager plus two Superclasico defeats in the space of the week Boca fans would be forgiven for having their heads in their hands. If Bianchi exits the club the good times will seem just that little further away for La Bombonera’s faithful then they did a week ago.

Santos’ little helper

Santos president Luis Álvaro Ribeiro has come up with a tempting sweetener to help his club seal the services of Robinho.

The Premier League’s record signing is in the sights of his former club back in Brazil. Ribeiro has been at his creative best to try and make sure the switch from Manchester City happens.

What the Santos president has proposed is that in return for having Robinho on loan he will offer Manchester City first refusal on his two prize assets. The players in question are Brazilian youth international duo of Paulo Henrique Lima and Neymar

“What we can offer can the English club is priority for purchasing our boys in the future.” Ribeiro said.

Santos’ president was quick to assure fans of his club that he was not intending on letting the starlets go on the cheap just to recapture Robinho.

“Giving away priority should not bother us that much as these players have a fixed price in their contract. With this deal it means that Manchester City would still have to match our price if they wanted to buy our players.” Ribeiro added.

With Robinho himself quiet on the move and Manchester City keen to get at least some of their initial outlay back Ribeiro knows that any deal is a long short.

“For now, bringing Robinho home remains a dream. What we must do is give the opportunity every chance to become reality.” Ribeiro explained.

Tim Sturtridge, Goal.com