René Higuita

Who is René Higuita?

José René Higuita Zapata is a Colombian former football goalkeeper nicknamed El Loco. Rene Higuita was well known for his 'sweeper' playing style taking risk in leaving his post empty to clear balls and even dribble. Unique and 'crazy' by his nickname, he stood out in football history as one of the greatest and most remarkable goal keepers of all time. In a friendly against England in 1995, he created the famous scorpion kick, where he faces the pitch, falls forward to waist level and parallel to the ground, knees bent, feet curl back and kick the ball away from the goal. He was often considered to be the 'master of the unpredictable'. Higuita is the current 4th highest goalscoring goalkeeper of all time with 41 goals.

Higuita's style of play influenced a new FIFA rule during the 1990 FIFA World Cup that a goalkeeper is not allowed to touch the ball with his hands if his teammates pass the ball to him. IFFHS ranked Higuita the 8th best keeper in South American history.