Famous Colombian Sportspersons

Radamel Falcao is a Colombian football player who has been playing for the national football team since 2007. He is the all-time top scorer for the Colombia national team. Nicknamed The Tiger, Falcao is often counted among the greatest Colombian football players of all time. Radamel Falcao is also considered one of the best strikers of his generation.

Juan Pablo Montoya is a Colombian racing driver who currently competes for DragonSpeed Racing in the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. In 1998, Montoya won the Formula 3000 International Championship title. The following year, he went on to win the CART FedEx Championship Series. In October 2009, Juan Pablo Montoya was named in Times Online's Top 50 Formula One Drivers list.

Carlos Valderrama is a Colombian retired football player whose distinctive hairstyle and technical skills made him popular. Widely regarded as one of the greatest Colombian football players of all time, Valderrama was included in Pelé's FIFA 100 list in 2004. Carlos Valderrama played a prominent role during the 1990s, which is considered the golden era of Colombian football.  

James Rodríguez is a versatile football player adept at playing as a central midfielder, playmaker, and winger. At the initial stages of his career, he was counted among the best young international players. He made a major impact during the 2014 FIFA World Cup where he won the Golden Boot for scoring the most number of goals.

Andrés Escobar was a Colombian football player who played for the Colombia national team from 1988 to 1994. Dubbed The Gentleman, Escobar is best remembered for his calmness on the pitch and clean style of play. On July 2, 1994, Andrés Escobar was killed in the aftermath of the FIFA World Cup in 1994.

Juan Cuadrado is a Colombian football player who has been representing the Colombia national football team since 2010. Renowned for his pace and dribbling skills, Juan Cuadrado is an important player for his national side. He also currently represents the Juventus Football Club and has won many championship titles for the team.

David Ospina is a Colombian football player who plays for the Colombia national football team. Ospina made his national debut in 2007 and is currently the most capped player of Colombia. Apart from representing his country in important tournaments like the FIFA World Cup and Copa Américas, David Ospina has also played for popular clubs like Arsenal and Atlético Nacional.

Jackson Martínez is a Colombian retired football player who played for the Colombia national football team from 2009 to 2015. Apart from representing his country in important tournaments like the 2014 FIFA World Cup and Copa Américas, Martínez also played for clubs like Atlético Madrid and Porto. In 2014 and 2015, Martínez was named FC Porto Athlete of the Year.

René Higuita is a Colombian retired football player best known for exhibiting a scorpion kick while saving a goal in a friendly against England on 6 September 1995. His high-risk playing style and distinctive hairstyle made him immensely popular around the world. René Higuita is widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers in South American history.

Tagged by the media as Boxing’s First Lady, Norwegian boxer/kickboxer Cecilia Braekhu scripted history by becoming the first female boxer to hold the WBA, IBF, WBC, and WBO titles at the same time. Colombian-born Braekhu was adopted by a Norwegian couple as a 2-year-old and began boxing as a teenager.

Carlos Bacca is a Colombian football player who represented the Colombia national football team from 2010 to 2018. He was part of the team that won the bronze medal at the Copa América Centenario in 2016. He also represented the team at the 2014 and 2018 World Cups. Carlos Bacca is renowned for his pace, aggression, strength, and concentration.

Nairo Quintana is a Colombian racing cyclist. A specialist climber, Quintana is renowned for his ability to launch attacks on ascents of steep gradient and his stamina to endure others' attacks. Considered the best Colombian road cyclist of all time, Nairo Quintana is also counted among the most successful and popular stage-racing riders of his generation.

Juan Fernando Quintero is a Colombian football player who has been representing the national football team since 2012. An attacking midfielder, Quintero is renowned for his creativity, agility, and speed. He is currently signed with the Argentine football club River Plate, where his style of play has drawn comparisons to that of Lionel Messi.

Faustino Asprilla is a Colombian retired football player who played for the Colombia national football team from 1993 to 2001. Widely regarded as one of the best Colombian footballers of all time, Faustino Asprilla represented his national team in important tournaments like the Summer Olympics, Copa America, and FIFA World Cup. 

Luis Muriel is a Colombian football player who has been playing for the national football team since 2012. He helped his team win the bronze medal at the 2021 Copa América. A versatile player, Luis Muriel is renowned for his pace, agility, dribbling skills, and creativity.

Red Velvet is a professional wrestler who is currently signed to AEW. Prior to joining All Elite Wrestling, Velvet was part of the independent circuit from 2016 to 2021. She was also a part of the Fighting Evolution Wrestling promotion where she held the FEW Women's Championship title. Apart from being a professional wrestler, Red Velvet is also a dancer.

Juan Carlos Osorio is a Colombian former football player who played as a midfielder for teams like Deportivo Pereira, Internacional, and Once Caldas. He is best known for his managerial career and has served as manager for popular teams, including the Paraguay national football team.

Gio Urshela is a Colombian baseball player who currently plays for the Minnesota Twins of the MLB. Apart from representing popular MLB teams like Cleveland Indians and New York Yankees, Gio Urshela has also played for the Colombian national baseball team. 

Hugo Rodallega is a Colombian football player who played for the Colombia national football team from 2005 to 2011. He is currently a part of Esporte Clube Bahia where he plays as a forward and winger. Hugo Rodallega is best known for his association with Wigan Athletic Football Club for which he scored 24 goals in Premier League matches.

Breidis Prescott is a Colombian boxer who competes in the lightweight and welterweight divisions. He achieved international fame in 2008 when he defeated the then-undefeated boxer Amir Khan, which earned him the nickname The Khanqueror.  

Óscar Figueroa is a Colombian weightlifter who specializes in the 62 kg category. He is best known for winning a gold medal at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. He also has an Olympic silver medal under his belt. Figueroa first achieved popularity in 2006 when he won a silver medal at the World Championships in Santo Domingo.

Cristián Zapata is a Colombian football player who played for the Colombia national football team from 2007 to 2019. In 2016, he helped his team win the bronze medal at the Copa América. A powerful defender, Zapata represented his nation in two FIFA World Cups. Cristián Zapata has also represented popular clubs like AC Milan and Villarreal. 

Adrián Ramos is a Colombian football player who has been playing for the Colombia national football team since 2008. He has played for the national team in important tournaments like the FIFA World Cup and Copa América. Adrián Ramos is also currently a part of América de Cali.

Edgar Renteria is a Colombian retired baseball shortstop who batted right-handed. A two-time Gold Glove Award winner, Rentería played for popular MLB teams like the Cincinnati Reds, Detroit Tigers, and Boston Red Sox. Edgar Renteria is also a three-time Silver Slugger Award winner. 

Óscar Rivas is a Colombian boxer best known for winning a silver medal in the Super Heavyweight category at the 2007 Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro. He is the current WBC bridgerweight champion and has held the championship since 2021. Óscar Rivas previously held the WBO-NABO and WBC-NABF heavyweight titles.

Víctor Ibarbo is a Colombian football player who represented the Colombia national football team from 2010 to 2016. Ibarbo, who currently plays for the Japanese team V-Varen Nagasaki, has also played for popular clubs like Atlético Nacional and Cagliari. Víctor Ibarbo helped Atlético Nacional win the Superliga Colombiana and Copa Libertadores in 2016.

Fredy Montero is a Colombian football player who represented the Colombia national football team from 2007 to 2009. In 2009, he was honored with the MLS Newcomer of the Year Award. Fredy Montero currently plays for Seattle Sounders FC where he is the all-time top scorer in official competitions.

Giovanni Moreno is a Colombian football player who has been playing for the Colombia national football team since 2008. An attacking midfielder, Giovanni Moreno is also currently a part of Atletico Nacional. In 2022, he helped Atlético Nacional win the Categoría Primera A.

Juan Agudelo is an American soccer player who played for the United States men's national soccer team from 2010 to 2018. In 2017, he helped his team win the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Over the course of his career, Agudelo has also played for popular clubs like Stoke City and Minnesota United. He is currently a part of Birmingham Legion.

José Quintana is a Colombian baseball player who plays as a pitcher for the popular Major League Baseball (MLB) team St. Louis Cardinals. He has previously played for the Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Angels, and Chicago Cubs among other popular teams.

Éder Álvarez Balanta is a Colombian football player best known for his versatility. He achieved popularity while playing for the Argentine club River Plate. He was part of the team that won the Copa Libertadores and Recopa Sudamericana in 2015. Éder Álvarez Balanta currently plays for the Colombia national football team and Club Brugge Koninklijke Voetbalvereniging.

Iván Córdoba is a Colombian former football player who played as a defender for the Colombia national football team from 1997 to 2011. In 2001, he was part of the team that won the Copa América. Córdoba also represented his country in major tournaments like the FIFA Confederations Cup and FIFA World Cup. 

Eleider Álvarez is a Colombian boxer who specializes in light-heavyweight division. He is best known for winning a gold medal at the 2007 Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro. He also held the WBO light-heavyweight title between 2018 and 2019. In 2021, Eleider Álvarez was ranked among the world's best active light-heavyweight boxers.

Samuel Vargas is a Canadian-Colombian boxer who has held the National Championship of Canada, WBA-NABA Welterweight Championship title, Interim WBA-NABA Welterweight Championship title, and the WBA-NABA Canada Super Welterweight Championship title. In 2020, he became the first boxer to survive more than six rounds against the undefeated Vergil Ortiz Jr.

Julio Teherán is a Colombian baseball player who plays as a pitcher. He currently plays for the Sultanes de Monterrey. A two-time All-Star, Julio Teherán has also played for popular Major League Baseball (MLB) teams like Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Angels.

Pablo Armero is a Colombian football player who has been representing the Colombia national team since 2008. Known for his versatility, Armero can play either as a left midfielder or left back depending on his team's position. Over the course of his career, Armero has also played for popular clubs like América de Cali, Udinese, and Napoli.

Sabina Mazo is a Colombian MMA fighter who competes in the flyweight division. A former Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA) champion, Mazo has also competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Over the course of her career, Sabina Mazo has secured victories over popular fighters like Justine Kish, JJ Aldrich, and Shana Dobson.  

Darwin Quintero is a Colombian football player best known for his versatility. Primarily an attacking midfielder, Quintero also plays the role of a striker and second striker. He represented the Colombia national football team from 2008 to 2012. Darwin Quintero currently plays for Houston Dynamo FC.        

Mario Yepes is a Colombian retired footballer who played for the Colombia national team from 1999 to 2014, during which he made 102 appearances and scored six times for the team. He also captained the team between 2008 and 2014. He is also known for his association with Paris Saint-Germain, where he was considered one of the best centre backs.

Faryd Mondragón is a Colombian retired footballer who represented the Colombia national football team as a goalkeeper from 1993 to 2014. One of the most successful and popular goalkeepers in the history of Colombian football, Mondragón also played for numerous clubs like Independiente, Philadelphia Union, and Deportivo Cali. He helped Independiente win the Recopa Sudamericana and Supercopa Libertadores in 1995.

Juan Sebastián Cabal is a Colombian tennis player who specializes in doubles. A former world No. 1, Cabal is best known for winning the doubles events at the 2019 Wimbledon and US Open. Juan Sebastián Cabal has also represented Colombia in important events like the Olympic Games and the Davis Cup.    

Óscar Pareja is a Colombian former football player who played for the Colombia national team from 1991 to 1996, during which he made 11 appearances. He is best known as a football manager and is the current head coach of Orlando City SC. Óscar Pareja has also managed other popular clubs like the Colorado Rapids and FC Dallas.

Cesar Rincon is a Colombian bullfighter who has achieved the most senior rank of matador. Cesar Rincon is one of the most popular bullfighters in Colombia. He has also achieved popularity in other Spanish-speaking countries like Ecuador.

Daniel Elahi Galán, presently No. 1 tennis player of Columbia, has played at ATP Tour level, Grand Slam level and in Davis Cup. His best-performance so-far at a Grand Slam was in the third round match at 2020 French Open against Novak Djokovic, which, he although lost in straight-sets, gained him attention. He represented Colombia at the 2020 Summer Olympics.  

Abel Aguilar is a Colombian retired football player who played as a midfielder for the Colombia national team from 2004 to 2018. During his career, Aguilar represented his country in two FIFA World Cups and two Copa América tournaments. Apart from representing the national team, Abel Aguilar also played for popular clubs like Deportivo Cali and Unión Magdalena.

Bernardo Espinosa is a Colombian football player who plays for the Spanish club Girona. A centre back, Espinosa was adjudged Segunda División Best Defender in 2015. Bernardo Espinosa has also played for other popular clubs like Sevilla and Middlesbrough.

Colombian baseball catcher Jorge Alfaro signed as free agent with Texas Rangers in 2010 for $1.3 million signing bonus, which till such time was a record for any Colombian prospect. He made his MLB debut in 2016 with Philadelphia Phillies, later played for Miami Marlins and currently plays for San Diego Padres. He represented Columbia in 2017 World Baseball Classic.

Edison Miranda is a Colombian retired professional boxer who was counted among the most dangerous contenders due to his high knockout-to-win percentage during his career which lasted from 2001 to 2021. He competed in various weight classes such as middleweight, super middleweight, light heavyweight, and cruiserweight.