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One of the highlights of Santa Marta is paying a quick visit to the Carlos “El Pibe” Valderrama monument, which is located a bit out of the way of the historic city center. It’s the most visited monument in the city.
El Pibe
Carlos Valderrama was one of the greatest Colombian and South American footballers of all time. Born in Santa Marta, his signature hairstyle and playmaking ability quickly endeared him to Colombian fans. He is often referred to by his nickname, El Pibe (The Kid). Valderrama played for several teams during his career, including teams in Colombia, France, Spain, and the United States.
The Statue
The statue was erected in 2002 after he retired from his illustrious 22 year career, which included 14 years as a member of the Colombian national team. It was created by Colombian artist Amilkar Ariza and stands outside Estadio Eduardo Santos.
The stadium was built in 1951 and closed permanently in 2013 due to structural concerns. It was the home of Unión Magdalena, which was Valderrama’s very first team from 1981 to 1984. Unión Magdalena now play in Estadio Sierra Nevada, which opened on November 11, 2017, for the Bolivarian Games.
