Linda Caicedo is causing a sensation at the Women's World Cup. © ANSA / DAN HIMBRECHTS

This World Cup fate gets under your skin

At the age of 14, Linda Caicedo was already playing for Colombia's senior national team. At 15 and after a devastating diagnosis, no one knew whether and what would happen next for the top football talent.

July 27, 2023

From: dpa/dl

Ovarian cancer, surgery, chemotherapy. When the striker was back on the pitch, she initially wore a wig because her hair had fallen out during treatment.

Today Linda Caicedo says: “I recovered and had the support of my family. Now I feel very good. What happened made me grow. I feel grateful and am happy to be here.” She is considered a future star at the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand – and will be in the spotlight in the German soccer players’ second preliminary round game against Colombia on Sunday (11.30 a.m. CEST).

Cancer at 15, world class at 18

Caicedo scored a goal in the South American runner-up's opening 2-0 win against South Korea. The “Caféteras” number 18 was also voted the best player of the game. “She comes from another planet and is simply unique,” ​​said Colombia assistant coach Angelo Marsiglia, who replaced suspended head coach Nelson Abadia at the post-game press conference. Caicedo enchants fans with her elegant style of play, technique and overview alone.

Linda Caicedo shakes up the opposing defenses. © ANSA / DAN HIMBRECHTS

For decades, Colombian football stood for legendary kickers like Carlos Valderrama (with his mop hairstyle), goalkeeper René Higuita, Andrés Escobar and James Rodríguez. Higuita went by the name “El Loco” (“The Crazy One”), Escobar was shot after a World Cup own goal. The smart James Rodríguez, who was also under contract with FC Bayern after his brilliant 2014 World Cup, was most recently on the ball for Olympiakos Piraeus. And now Linda Caicedo?

New women's football hype in Colombia

The Colombians discovered women's football late - thanks in part to their super striker. For Caicedo, it is her third World Cup within just under a year: she shone at the U-2022 and U20 World Cups in 17. Previously, she and her team had only lost 0-1 in the final of the Copá America Brazil - and were named the best player of the tournament.

“I will forever be grateful that it happened when I was very young.” Linda Caicedo about her cancer

In Australia, Caicedo is now 18 years and 153 days old, the second youngest World Cup debutant in South America - after a certain Marta. The Brazilian was named World Player of the Year six times and is still there at 37. “The experiences at a World Cup are priceless. I try to soak up all the moments, enjoy everything,” says Caicedo.

Caicedo (center of the picture) dances with her teammates. © APA/afp / FRANCK FIFE

Back when the cancer came, she didn't believe she would be able to play professional football again. “Mentally, it was a very difficult moment in my life,” she said in a FIFA interview. “I will forever be grateful that it happened when I was very young.” The pressure is sometimes difficult, “so you need a good physical and mental balance.”

Colombia's "miracle girl" (fifa.com) now has more than half a million followers on Instagram, left her club Deportivo Cali in February and signed a contract with Real Madrid until 2027. Her parents, Herlinda Alegría and Mauro Caicedo, did not want to let her leave before she was of age. What did her mother give her? “That she maintains her modesty and continues to work on herself – she still lacks a lot.”