International Goalkeeper Day - Fútbol Emotion

Miguel Ángel Calero Rodríguez was born on the 14th of April 1971 and is remembered as one of the great goalkeepers in Colombian football. Throughout his career, he became instantly recognisable for playing matches wearing a cap and a headscarf, as well as ‘sporting a pair of wings’ alongside his number 1 jersey. This distinctive look earned him the nickname ‘El Cóndor’ (The Condor), a moniker that reflected the personality and confidence with which he defended his goal. Calero became a true legend at Pachuca, the club where he played for eleven seasons. He made 395 official appearances, won a dozen titles and earned the unconditional affection of the fans, becoming one of the greatest idols in the history of the Mexican club. Among his achievements, winning the Copa Sudamericana in 2006 stands out.

The Colombian goalkeeper made his professional debut in 1988 with Deportivo Cali, where he remained until 1997. During that spell, he played 94 matches and, unusually for a goalkeeper, scored two of the four goals he netted throughout his career. Between 1988 and 1992, he played on loan at Sporting de Barranquilla, where he made 86 appearances. After establishing himself in Colombian football, he signed for Atlético Nacional, one of the country’s leading clubs. There, he won the 1999 Copa Mustang before making the move to Mexican football. In 2000, he signed for Pachuca, where he would enjoy the most successful years of his career. Over the course of eleven seasons, he played 395 matches, scored another two goals and won ten titles, including four Liga MX championships, three CONCACAF Champions Leagues, one SuperLiga and the historic Copa Sudamericana.

Miguel Calero made 50 appearances for the Colombian national team. He was part of the Colombian squad at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games, the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France and the 2001 Copa América, a tournament in which they were crowned champions. On the 23rd of October 2011, aged 40, he played the last official match of his career. After his retirement, he remained with Pachuca as a goalkeeping coach, although he was unable to hold that position for long. He died on the 3rd of December 2012 following a cerebral thrombosis.

Revered by Pachuca fans and admired throughout Mexico, Miguel Calero became a leading figure between the posts and a true football legend. International Goalkeeper’s Day was established as a tribute to him, his career and the values he embodied both on and off the pitch. Here at Fútbol Emotion, we want to join in this celebration and remember one of the greatest icons of goalkeeping. Join us and celebrate the passion for a position as special as that of the goalkeeper!