On the eve of the Copa América, the oldest national team tournament in the world, and which the Colombian team has won once, it is impossible not to refer to Iván Ramiro Córdoba, who was one of the architects of the only continental celebration of Tricolor .
On July 29, 2001 at the Nemesio Camacho El Campín, The Colombian team faced each other in the final of the Copa América, which it hosted, against its counterpart from Mexico. The match against the hands was close and was defined by the still ball, just as Pacho Maturana predicted this to his team days before.
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At about 65 minutes, Paraguayan judge Ubaldo Aquino called a foul on the right side. The person in charge of taking the ball was Iván López, who at that time was defending the colors of Independiente Santa Fe.
The right back launched a precise cross, as if with his hand, so that his namesake, Iván Ramiro Córdoba, will comb the ball with his head and leave the Rabbit Perezwho knew that it was impossible to prevent that ball from ending up in the back of the net.
After the final whistle, joy took over the stands of the Colossus of 57, which, like in 1989, when Nacional won the first Copa Libertadores for Colombia, was the center of one of the most important events in coffee soccer at the national team level.
After 26 years, there is hope that the Tricolor, under the technical direction of Néstor Lorenzo, can make history in the United States and lift its second trophy, although it will not be an easy task considering the weighty rivals it will have in front.
After his retirement from the activity in 2012 with the Inter Milan shirt, the 47-year-old from Antioquia did not move away from football. Unlike some of his colleagues who opted for technical direction, Córdoba opted for leadership.
For some years now, Iván Ramiro Córdoba holds the position of sports director and co-owner of Venezia FC, team that until recently played in the second division of Italian football, since it achieved promotion to Serie A after beating Cremonese in the playoffs, whom it beat 1-0 on aggregate, a result that allowed it to be promoted to the highest category.
Through his official Instagram account, the former central defender and captain of the Colombia national team posted several videos in which he appears celebrating along with several members and fans of the club. “The series A arrives in Piazza San Marco”wrote Córdoba.
The dialogue with Infobae Colombia, The former Inter Milan player referred to his future as a leader, as he did not hide his desire to occupy a position within the Colombian Football Federation (FCF).
“Just like when I was starting to play soccer and I saw the Colombian team as something difficult to reach, but it was never a barrier for me to fight for it until I reached it, the same thing happens as a leader. I would very much like to join the federation in the future and be able to lead Colombian football from the leadership side.“Not at this moment, it is not my intention, I am preparing for that and I see it in the future, I see it in a very respectful way,” said Iván Ramiro Córdoba.
For now, Córdoba will continue working to keep his squad in the Italian first division. It should be remembered that this is Venezia’s second promotion with the Colombian on board, since he played in Serie A in the 2022-23 season; However, that same year he relegated.
