Óscar Córdoba

Óscar Eduardo Córdoba Arce (born 3 February 1970) is a retired Colombian footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He has played more than 70 games for the Colombia national team. He is also the only person to never concede a goal in a Copa América edition, having done so in 2001.

Óscar Córdoba
Personal information
Full name Óscar Eduardo Córdoba Arce
Date of birth (1970-02-03) 3 February 1970
Place of birth Cali, Valle, Colombia
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Playing position(s) Goalkeeper
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1988 Atlético Nacional 4 (0)
1989–1990 Deportivo Cali 0 (0)
1990 Deportes Quindío 33 (0)
1991–1992 Millonarios 61 (0)
1993 Once Caldas 39 (0)
1993–1997 América de Cali 110 (0)
1997–2001 Boca Juniors 118 (0)
2002 Perugia 15 (0)
2002–2006 Beşiktaş 137 (0)
2006–2007 Antalyaspor 32 (0)
2007–2008 Deportivo Cali 14 (0)
2008–2009 Millonarios 37 (0)
Total 600 (0)
National team
1993–2009 Colombia 73 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only
This article uses Spanish naming customs: the first or paternal family name is Córdoba and the second or maternal family name is Arce.

Club career

Córdoba started playing professionally with Atlético Nacional in 1988, but transferred to Deportivo Cali in 1989 and loaned to Deportes Quindío in 1990. In 1991, he moved to Millonarios, and in 1993 he played for Once Caldas, and América de Cali, with which he would win the Colombian Championship in 1997. The Scottish jazz rock/fusion band "Oscar Cordoba" are named in his honour.

After the title, he moved to Argentine team Boca Juniors to what was probably his most successful time, winning the Argentine Championships Apertura 1998, Clausura 1999 and Apertura 2000, the Copa Libertadores 2000 and 2001, and the Intercontinental Cup of 2000. In 2000 and 2001 was part of the dream team of America.

Ready to make the jump to Europe, Córdoba moved to Italian Perugia Calcio, but after only half season he transferred to Turkish Beşiktaş Istanbul. In Turkey he often played against another Colombian goalkeeper of the Super Lig; Faryd Mondragón of Galatasaray. After 4 seasons and after winning the 2002–03 Turkish First Football League and the 2005–2006 Turkey Cup, he transferred to Antalyaspor, club in which he announced his retirement after the 2006/07 season. In spite of the announcement, he returned to Colombia and signed for Deportivo Cali to play the following season.[1]

His contract with the Colombian side expired after Deportivo Cali were eliminated in the semi-finals of the Copa Mustang in the Apertura of 2008. In December 2008 he was nominated by the American channel Fox Sports as "Outstanding Career" Award given annually by such means the best athletes in the world. Oscar will be awarded with special recognition for Outstanding Career with Argentine striker Gabriel Batistuta.

After his experience at Deportivo Cali, Córdoba expressed his interest in either returning to Argentina, returning to Turkey, or retiring from football itself. He finally signed for Millonarios where he played until his retirement in December 2009. He won Fox Sports Radio's "Outstanding Career" Award with three other Colombians, including Formula 3 driver Gustavo Yacaman and bronze medal-winning Paralympic athlete Elkin Serna.[2]

International career

Córdoba made his debut for the Colombia national team in a friendly against Costa Rica on 31 March 1993. He has gone on to make over 70 appearances for his country, making him the most capped goalkeeper in the history of Colombian international football.[3]

In the 1994 FIFA World Cup qualification he started in every game and conceded only two goals making him the best goalkeeper in the playoffs. He played a key role in the 2001 Copa América, playing five of six games, and winning the tournament with no goals conceded. Along with Miguel Calero, the Colombian side kept their net virgin throughout the tournament, first time to ever happen in the Copa América. He also won the award for best goalkeeper in the tournament. He played in the 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup where Colombia came fourth.

On 10 September 2003 Córdoba surpassed René Higuita's record of 68 caps, to become Colombia's all-time record goalkeeper. He was called up to the Colombia national football team for his final time in October 2009 as the third goalkeeper in a FIFA World Cup qualifier for the CONMEBOL.

Honours
América de Cali
1996–97
1996
Boca Juniors
1998 Apertura, 1999 Clausura, 2000 Apertura
2000, 2001
2000
Beşiktaş
2002–03
2005–06
Colombia
2001
Individual
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References
  1. Medio Tiempo article
  2. "Three Colombians nominated by Fox Sport Channel", Colombia Passport: Economics, Society and Culture in Colombia, 3 December 2008. Link retrieved on 3 December 2008.
  3. rsssf: Colombia record international footballers
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