Freddy Rincón: Former Colombia captain dies after car crash

By Patrick Sung and Amy Woodyatt, CNN

Updated 0947 GMT (1747 HKT) April 14, 2022

Colombia's Freddy Rincon takes the ball from Argentina's Javier Zanetti during a friendly match on 13 October, 1999, at the Chateau Carrera Stadium in Cordoba, Argentina.

(CNN)Former Colombia soccer captain Freddy Rincón has died after being involved in a car crash in Cali, the hospital treating him said in a statement.

The 55-year-old Rincón was admitted to hospital on Monday following a car accident in the early hours of the day, CNN en Español reported, citing local media.Five people were injured in the accident, which involved a van with four occupants, including the former player, and a bus, the Undersecretary of Mobility of Cali, Edwing Candelo, told the newspaper, El País Cali.Rincon celebrates scoring the equaliser against Germany at the 1990 World Cup.Cali'd The Imbanaco Clinic said «despite all the efforts made by our medical and assistance team, the patient Freddy Eusebio Rincón Valencia, has died today April 13, 2022.»«There will never be a way to express what this really means for us, we invite the entire country to remember him with happiness for everything that he brought into life with his sporting successes,» the hospital added. Read MoreA 'painful loss'Rincón played in three World Cups — 1990, 1994 and 1998 — and scored 17 goals in 84 games for Colombia.The Colombian Football Federation paid tribute, saying in a statement: «This is a huge loss for his family and friends, and at the same time is a regrettable loss for our sport, where we'll miss him and remember him with great care, appreciation, respect and admiration.»«We send strength, support and our condolences to his family, hoping that they can support this sad and