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16 mars 2020
WHERE ARE THEY NOW ? – Colombia’s 2000 Maurice Revello Tournament winners (1/17)
A few weeks before the kick-off of the 48th edition of the Maurice Revello Tournament (1-14 June), we are launching our traditional pre-competition series. During its rich history, the Tournament has welcomed a bunch of big names. More than 1800 of them became senior internationals and enjoyed successful careers. This year, we’ll take a look at the tournament’s winners since the beginning of the 2000’s. Do you know what they became ? What club they played for ? What they have won after the Tournament ? First episode with the Colombia squad that clinched the title in 2000.
One year later, they are celebrating again. Winners in 1999, the Colombians kept their title in 2000. Led by a golden generation, “Los Cafeteros” set their stamp on the Maurice Revello Tournament at the beginning of the new millennial. And even before. Among the players seen at the Maurice Revello Tournament between 1996 and 2000, eight were part of the Colombian senior national team that won its first ever Copa America in 2001. As an illustration of the South Americans’ talent.
In 2000, Colombia came at the Tournament as title holders, with eight players that took part in the winning campaign one year before. Experienced, the team is coached by the duo Reinaldo Rueda-Eduardo Lara, both used to the Maurice Revello Tournament. With eleven goals scored and four wins including one after the penalty shootout in final against Portugal, the Colombians impressed. Their technical level combined to their determination led them to a deserved second title in a row.
The Tressor Moreno brace
Malher Tressor Moreno was the driving force behind the Colombia’s run to the title. In 2000, the forward produced a rare performance in the Tournament’s history as he has been awarded both best player and top scorer awards. A performance only achieved by nine players since the creation of the tournament including legends like Alan Shearer (1991), Rui Costa (1992) as well as Thierry Henry (1997). How about that !
However, Tressor Moreno struggled to fulfill his potential during the rest of his career. He played in the French, Colombian, Mexican, Chilean and Brazilian leagues and earned 32 international caps with the Colombia senior team.
From the left to the right : Malher Tressor Moreno, Luis Felipe Chara and David Ferreira
One of the other marquee names of the squad is Luis Felipe Chara. The midfielder counts four international caps to his name with Colombia and spent his entire career in South America, mainly in the Colombian top-flight. He has the particularity of having played the Tournament three years in a row between 1999 and 2001.
Among the other players to remember, we can talk about Andrés Chitiva, the midfielder who became a fan favourite at Pachuca between 2001 and 2012. Other members of the Colombian squad tried their chance in Europe. The defender Alvaro Dominguez spent four seasons at Swiss side FC Sion between 2007 and 2011 before joining Turkish outlet Samsünspor. Another one decided as well to move to Turkey : Gustavo Victoria who played for Galatasaray, Gaziantepspor et Rizespor between 2001 and 2008. Even if they didn’t played in Europe, David Ferreira and Andrés Orozco are the players with the most internationals caps earned with Colombia, 39 and 20 respectively.
With thirteen participations, three titles and two campaigns finished as runners-up, Colombia are one of the most successful sides in the Maurice Revello Tournament history. “Los Cafeteros” contributed to the tournament’s history. The national team has been represented by some big names throughout the years like Ivan Cordoba or James Rodriguez.
Next episode in a few days and we’ll head to Europe…
Colombia internationals that played the Maurice Revello Tournament 2000 :
Elkin Calle, Luis Felipe Chara, Andrés Chitiva, Alvaro José Dominguez, David Ferreira, Juan Fernando Leal, José Mera, Malher Tressor Moreno, Andrés Orozco, Haider Palacio, Andres Pérez, Gustavo Victoria
Mathieu Lauricella
