Rene Higuita was a shot-stopper who preferred to dribble, a last line of defense who often acted as a playmaker, and a cult figure known as much for his mistakes as for his genius.
Higuita was – above all – unforgettable.
Rene Higuita Career Snapshot
Born in Medellín, Colombia — a city shaped by deep conflict between the government and drug cartels — Higuita came of age during one of the most volatile periods in Colombian history.
His early career was marked by raw talent, and unsurprisingly, a footballing bearth as an outfield player. But from the moment he was moved back to play in goal, something was clear: he was not going to be a traditional keeper.
Higuita played as if he were a playmaker in gloves: dribbling past attackers, taking free-kicks, and launching counterattacks.
To some, it was madness. To others, it was part of the game’s evolution.
The Scorpion Kick and the Spotlight
What cemented his legend, of course, was the Scorpion Kick. An acrobatic, mid-air backheel clearance during a friendly match against England at Wembley in 1995.
It was a moment that seemed absurd on the surface but captured exactly who Higuita was: theatrical, fearless, and unique.
But behind the viral highlight was a career of real substance.
At Atlético Nacional, he was a key part of the team that won the 1989 Copa Libertadores.
For the Colombian national team, he was both a star and a wildcard, helping them qualify for the 1990 World Cup. Lighting up a drab tournament during the group stages, he was then dispossessed far outside his box by Roger Milla – a moment that shattered Colombia’s run to the Quarter Finals (but announced Higuita on the world’s stage).
A Game of Life and Death
Rene Higuita’s personal life was complicated and turbulent. From his friendship with Pablo Escobar, to a prison stint, and other off-field controversies, Higuita’s story often blurred the lines between football and folklore.
We would miss the 1994 World Cup in the USA due to poor fitness and legal issues. However, perversely, this may have in fact saved his life.
Following Colombia’s World Cup exit, his teammate Andres Escobar was assassinated for scoring an own goal against the USA.
The Mad Career of Rene Higuita
In a world of polished, risk-averse football, El Loco remains a cult symbol of defiance. He didn’t play it safe — he played it his way.
He made goalkeeping unpredictable, dangerous, even entertaining.
Watch the full documentary now to discover the outrageous, unforgettable story of René Higuita — the maverick who made madness his method.
