Quick Info
| Profession | Footballer |
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| Nationality | Colombian |
| Date of Birth | 13/03/1967 |
| Age | 27 years (died on 02, Jul, 1994) |
| Birthplace | Medellín, Colombia |
| Date of Death | 02/07/1994 |
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Bio/Wiki
| Summary | Andrés Escobar Saldarriaga was a Colombian professional footballer who played as a defender for the Colombia national team. He is widely remembered for his tragic death following an own goal he scored during the 1994 FIFA World Cup match against the United States, which contributed to Colombia's elimination from the tournament. His assassination outside a nightclub in Medellín sparked international outrage and became a symbol of the dangers of fan violence and the extreme consequences of sporting errors in high-stakes environments. |
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Physical Stats & More
| Height: 1.84 m | |
| Foot: Left | |
| Position: Centre-Back |
Personal Life
| Death Details | Assassinated in the early hours of July 2, 1994, outside the bar 'El Indio' in the outskirts of Medellín. He was shot six times by Humberto Muñoz Castro, a driver linked to the Gallón brothers (paramilitaries and drug traffickers), after being taunted about his own goal. He was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital 45 minutes later at the age of 27. |
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Career
| Clubs | Colombia national team |
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| Notable Event | Scored an own goal during the 1994 FIFA World Cup match against the United States in the United States, contributing to Colombia's elimination from the tournament. |
| Legacy | His death sparked international outrage and became a symbol of the dangers of fan violence and the consequences of sporting errors in high-stakes environments. The incident is often cited as one of the most tragic stories in football history. |
Some Lesser Known Facts
| 1. His killer, Humberto Muñoz Castro, was sentenced to 43 years in prison in June 1995. | |
| 2. The attack occurred outside the bar 'El Indio' in the outskirts of Medellín. | |
| 3. He was 27 years old when he died. | |
| 4. The incident is often cited as one of the most tragic stories in football history. | |
| 5. Escobar was reportedly in Medellín to celebrate a potential move to AC Milan and say goodbye to friends before the attack. | |
| 6. The United States won the match 2-1, a result that caused significant gambling losses for powerful drug lords in Colombia, who allegedly orchestrated the retaliation. |