CHAPTER 1.

AVOIDABLE TRAGEDIES

Sometimes heroes, sometimes villains. Without a doubt, the life of a footballer is

difficult, especially considering the weight of the public's scrutinizing gaze, looking at the

slightest action to condemn each of the steps, or kicks in this case. Sometimes worshiped as

gods, other times condemned as executioners. But how far can the consequences of this go?

The case of Andres Escobar showed us that this can be lethal.

In this episode we tell a little of the story of Andres Escobar, the renowned soccer

player of Colombian origin, who faced a fatal outcome due to a mistake that cost him his

life.

A football legend: the story of Andres Escobar

Andres Escobar, the soccer legend, was born in Medellin, Colombia in 1967.

Andres' story is not the typical story of personal improvement of how he rose from poverty

to soccer stadiums, rather Escobar came from a wealthy family and has privileges such as

attending a private school.

When he was 18 years old he entered the youth program of Atletivo Nacional, one

of the teams with the greatest local recognition, he quickly rose in the world of soccer and

when he turned 20 he was called up to the Colombian national team, a dream come true. .

Recognized internationally, everyone remembers that header in 1988 with which Escobar

led the team to a draw in England.

Since that memorable event he was known as “The Football Knight.” Soccer hair, a

dedicated son, student and with a great passion for soccer.

 There was so much love, passion and talent that Andres Escobar, at only 27 years

old, was already participating in his first World Cup, the most important soccer event in the

world. The media pointed to Colombia as one of the preferred teams to win. the world

championship, led by internationally recognized players such as Carlos Valderrama, Faryd

Mondragon, Faustino Aspirila and of course Andres Escobar.

Colombia's participation in the World Cup had been long awaited, however, they

were not giving the results expected by the fans, they had lost against Romania and the

United States and had only won against Switzerland, this earned them disqualification in

the second round. Contrasting fact considering that after the 5 to 0 with Argentina in the

World Cup qualifiers, people, fans and non-fans in Colombia had the hope of bringing the

first World Cup for the country.

For this reason, what happened caused great disappointment in people, especially

due to the events that occurred on June 22, 1994, in the match against the United States.

The Rose Bowl stadium was decked out in red, yellow, blue and white, the night passed in

the midst of the heat of soccer and the excitement of the fans, but this whole dream ended

for the Colombian group in the 35th minute, in which the the own goal by defender Andres

Escobar.

The frustration that the fans felt was so great that some turned to the figure of

Andres Escobar, given that from that moment Andres Escobar was a victim of harassment,

threatening letters, insults and isolation, this was what Escobar experienced after June 22

1994. At that time Colombia was plagued by drug trafficking cartels and generalized

violence, many of these cartels carried out threats directed at Escobar.

 Finally, on July 2, 1994, 10 days after the own goal, national and international news

headlines were filled with headlines about Escobar's murder. While he was chatting with

his friends at the restaurant “El Indio” Escobar went down to the parking lot with the aim of

going home, however he met the brothers Pedro David Gallón Henao and Juan Santiago

Gallón Henao, who insulted him, Escobar asked for respect from brothers and began to

argue, immediately the Gallons rebuked Escobar saying that they did not know who he was

messing with, immediately afterward the brothers' driver Humberto Muñoz Castro got out

of the vehicle and fired 6 shots at Escobar, which ended his life and their dreams. In

addition to destroying a family, his team and the entire Colombian people.

The first half of a soccer game lasts 45 minutes, and 45 minutes after receiving the

shots, Escobar died, a dantesque coincidence. In addition to ending the life of the defender

and promise of soccer, they ended the dreams of Pamela Cascardo, with whom the soccer

player would marry in a few days, and the professional career of Escobar, whom Maturana

called Valderrama's successor in the captaincy of the team. football team. He would also

become part of AC Milan, after having achieved the Colombian team's qualification for the

World Cup after 3 decades of waiting, in addition to playing for Atletico Nacional when the

green and white team won the Copa Libertadores.

The event had national and international significance and was covered by different

media. communication problems, given that everyone knew about the unfortunate fact of

Escobar's own goal and the news of his death spread very strongly. Newspapers such as

The New York Times and CNN dedicated extensive articles to describing what happened

and rejecting violence out of fanaticism and taken to the extremes of ending the life of an

innocent person.
 In relation to Muñoz Castro, the murderer, it is another case of injustice and

intolerance, given that despite having confessed to the crime, he was only sentenced to 43

years, of which he only served 11 years, and was released from prison. The Gallon brothers

only served 3 months in prison. Later, the Gallon brothers were investigated for

establishing links with drug trafficking and paramilitarism.

Escobar's mistake did not cost him his life. This unfortunate event was a product of

the intolerance, fanaticism and violence prevailing in the country. So it's worth wondering

what he is behind all this.

In the next chapter we delve deeper into these issues.