Colombian Football Legends Excite Bogotá in Game for Earthquake Victims

Bogotá was electrified on Friday, August 21, as Colombian football legends like Falcao García, Carlos 'el Pibe' Valderrama, and Óscar Córdoba participated in a solidarity match to aid families and communities affected by the devastating earthquake that struck the country on August 10.

More than 35,000 spectators filled the stands of the El Campín stadium, responding to the call by former defender Mario Alberto Yepes. The event aimed to support the tens of thousands left displaced by the magnitude 7.4 earthquake. The charity match successfully raised around 2.5 billion Colombian pesos (approximately $810,000).

A star-studded lineup featured 36 players, including active and retired stars such as Radamel Falcao García, Juan Guillermo Cuadrado, Camilo Zúñiga, Faryd Mondragón, Carlos Sánchez, Giovanni Moreno, Juan Pablo Ángel, Fabián Vargas, Jackson Martínez, Alexander Mejía, Macnelly Torres, John Javier 'Choronta' Restrepo, Giovanni Hernández, Cristian Zapata, Gerardo Bedoya, Carlos Valdés, Óscar Córdoba, Teófilo Gutiérrez, and Fredy Guarín. Even Yepes himself joined the scoring, albeit with an own goal.

René Higuita coached one team in the yellow national team jersey, while Francisco Maturana managed the other in blue. The entertaining match concluded with a 4-3 scoreline. Beyond the game, singers Santiago Cruz and Gusi performed, adding to the festive yet solemn atmosphere. Yepes addressed the crowd, thanking Bogotá for their support and dedicating the match to the victims. Juan Guillermo Cuadrado offered a prayer, reflecting on life's fragility. According to the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD), the earthquake has claimed 329 lives, with 247 people still missing.