The world continues to pay respect to Linda Caicedo for her magical goal against Germany as her career further experiences bliss.
The teenager star has continued to eschew her brilliance at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and Sunday, July 30, 2023 was no exception as her goal put Colombia in front in their 2-1 win over the Germans.
Anyway, let’s fill you in on who Colombian Linda Caicedo is and her journey so far:
Linda Caicedo career journey
Linda signed for Real Madrid from Colombian side Deportivo Cali in February 2023 and despite her signing for a massive team as such, she did something shocking that day.
The former América de Cali player phoned a young cancer patient, who was set to partake in a surgery in her home country Colombia.
This definitely shows her humanitarian gesture and how she views the world from a wider prism than only football.
Linda Caicedo made her professional football debut at the age of 14 in 2019, playing for América de Cali and she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer a year later.
The 18-year-old had to undergo surgery in order to remove her tumor and afterwards she went through six months of chemotherapy.
Linda scored 13 goals in 30 appearances for América de Cali, helping the club win the Colombian Women’s Football League in 2019.
She departed the Colombian side to join Deportivo Cali in 2020 and she also produced magic playing for the club at the age of 15.
Linda Caicedo made 37 appearances for the club scoring 16 goals and helping the club win the Colombian Women’s Football League in 2021.
The youngster has continued to burgeon greatly and her growth has been witnessed at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Caicedo’s artistry on the wings and her ability to come up clutch when her team needs her is second to none.
Linda Caicedo continues to etch her name in history at the FIFA Women’s World Cup
Scoring in the opening game of the tournament against South Korea, etched her name in history by becoming the second-youngest South American player to score a goal in the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The Real Madrid player did hers at the age of 18 and 153 days, only behind Brazil great Marta.
This is Colombia’s 3rd appearance at the FIFA Women’s World Cup and an 18-year-old is powering them through.
As a result of her efforts and that of her teammates, The Powerpuff girls are in the round of 16 and if they do surpass that round, they would be making history.
Where was Linda Caicedo born?
Linda Caicedo was born in the town of Candelaria and she is from a poor background.
However, that didn’t deter her and she has never forgotten all the efforts which have led her to this height.
In demonstrating her humanitarian gesture, Linda traveled to native Candelaria to share 100 grocery bags of food to individuals who are in need.
Linda has in the past said that “for people with cancer”, she is an example to them that they can surmount that challenge.
The 18-year-old lady in 2020 had her career put on pause, in the midst of the monstrous COVID-19 pandemic.
The Real Madrid winger began to feel some discomfort in her abdomen and after tests were conducted, it was revealed that she had ovarian cancer.
In the space of two weeks after the tests were conducted, Linda Caicedo, as earlier revealed, had to undergo surgery in order to remove a tumor.
In the process that involved the removal of one of her ovaries, but she has her coach Abadia and her parents to thank for their support as she overcame that obstacle.
Detailing all that went down and how she was triumphant in the end, Linda emphasized on the support she received from her family and coach.
She said: “There was a difficult process, thank God I could overcome it.
“My family was always behind me and my coach beside me was always very close.
“He [Coach Abadia] was often calling me. I was going into surgery one day and I felt really bad, like I could not play top level football again; he said relax, you will come back. So I want to thank my coach.
“For people in difficult times like I was, I am an example you can overcome this.”
After Linda Caicedo was declared free of cancer, she returned to training and honing her craft.
Starting and scoring against Colombia, she became the only player ever to start and score in three World Cups in the space of one year.
Caicedo scored in the U-17 FIFA Women’s World Cup, 2022 U-20 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Definitely, there is more to see from this youngster, who has got immeasurable talent which has the potential to have a seismic effect on the world.
The sky definitely isn’t the limit for astonishing players like Linda Caicedo, it’s just the starting point to bigger successes.
Meanwhile, Colombia defeated Germany by 2-1 in what was an absorbing encounter with no lack of suspense.
After Linda Caicedo put Nelson Abadía’s ladies in front, Alexandra Popp equalized for Germany in the 89th minute via a penalty and it appeared like the game was going to end in a draw.
However, Real Sociedad’s defender Manuela Vanegas rose up to the occasion by scoring a header in the 7th minute of additional time in the encounter.
That win has ensured their passage to the next round, while powerhouse Germany would have to win or draw their final group game against South Korea depending on Morocco’s result against Colombia.
