Carlos Valderrama in Montpellier: A hair-raising transfer
–
This summer during the transfer window, So Foot returns every day of the week to a transfer that marked its time in its own way. On the occasion of the 21st episode, back to 1988, the year Montpellier signed one of the biggest names in its history: Carlos Valderrama. The bushy playmaker of Deportivo Cali is then at the top of his game but his time in the Hérault divides. Success or flop? Pierre Mosca and Louis Nicollin have long creped the bun.
In 1987, the afro is fashionable. Ruud Gullit wins the Ballon d’Or. His hair look-alike Carlos Valderrama won him the South American Golden Ball and the title of best player in the Copa America. If the Dutchman takes the opportunity to leave his country by moving from PSV Eindhoven to AC Milan, the Colombian remains in his Deportivo Cali. Anyway, no player from the country of Pablo Escobar has already been exported. Agent Manuel Garcia then thinks that there is something to do with the talented playmaker. And why not in Montpellier where he has his entries since he already manages the interests of defender Júlio César. The Colombian leaders therefore meet Louis Nicollin at the Concorde-Lafayette hotel (now the Hyatt Regency Paris Etoile hotel). For two days and two nights, the two parties, each in their room, negotiate. An agreement is finally reached: Carlos Valderrama will receive 13,000,000 francs for a four-year contract signed on May 6, 1988. A transfer financed by the General Council for the club which has just played a first season in the remarkable elite with a third place in the standings. Only the 2012 champions will do better in the club’s history.
Carlos VALDERRAMA vs Zinedine ZIDANEMontpellier vs Cannes 1990-91
pic.twitter.com/40ybKA7Dcm
– Old School Panini (@OldSchoolPanini) December 24, 2021
“When I was told about this club, I asked:
“But where is this city?”
No one in Colombia knew Montpellier. My dream was to play in Europe and I didn’t want to miss this opportunity.”
, will later admit the main interested party. At the time, Carlos Valderrama was a star of world football and one of the best players in South America. A boon for Montpellier? From the outset, coach Pierre Mosca is not thrilled:
“I was not kept abreast of this case because my priority was to take a goalkeeper and a central striker because Roger Milla had already
Read the rest of the article on SoFoot.com
–
