Miguel Calero, “El Show”.
One of Colombia’s most colourful goalkeepers ever, better known for his career with Mexican club Pachuca. One day, his colourful career succumbed a tragic and an unexpected blow.
It was the night of November 25th 2012, when Juan Jose saw his father, Miguel, coming down the stairs. Something was obviously wrong, and his father told him he wasn’t feeling well.
But Juan Jose knew his father was also a big clown who liked to joke around, so he did not pay too much attention to the matter. But Miguel wasn’t joking.
He told his son that his left side of the body was not responsive. Juan Jose carried his father to their neighbours’ house and Miguel was rushed to the hospital in Mexico City by a helicopter. Initially stabilized, a few days later his medical condition deteriorated and was in a state of clinical death. On December 5th it was already a fact: 41-year-old Colombia’s former goalkeeper, Miguel Angel Calero, died.
He was one of the best goalkeepers Colombia has ever known. He started his career in a small club named Sporting Barranquilla, where he played for 5 years and established his name as a crazy goalkeeper because of his skills and unique dribbles, reminding the fans of another entertaining goalkeeper - Rene Higuita. These earned him the nickname “El Show”, but he was also known as “El Condor”, after the nation’s famous bird. His next club was one of the best in the country, Deportivo Cali. He helped them win the championship in 1996 for the first time after 22 years. In 1997 he moved to Atletico Nacional for $1.3M, an unprecedented amount at the time. He played there for 3 years, helping them to win the Copa Merconorte in 1998 and the domestic championship in 1999.
Despite being a Colombian, the name Calero is strongly associated with Pachuca of Mexico. Calero moved to the Mexican club back in 2000 and stayed there until his retirement in 2011, demonstrating loyalty that is uncommon in the 21st century. He became a fan favourite very quickly and was soon nominated Captain. He played a major role in Pachuca’s best period to date, leading them to win the Mexican championship in 2001, 2003, 2006 & 2007, the Copa Sudamericana in 2006, CONCACAF Champions League in 2002, 2007, 2008 & 2010 and North American Superliga in 2007.
He always said that he felt half Colombian and half Mexican. He received a Mexican nationality and stated that when he will die, he wants that his ashes will split between these two countries. He also said: “If I had to be born again, I would be born as Miguel Angel Calero, I would be a goalkeeper and I would defend the colours of Pachuca with all I have.” This is, partly, why he was considered as a God in Pachuca.
Accordingly, his funeral looked like a royal ceremony when his coffin was placed in the middle of the field at Estadio Hidalgo (Pachuca’s stadium). His son, Juan Jose Calero, fulfilled his father’s dream and played for the senior team of Pachuca few years ago. He was a striker, not a goalkeeper.
His performances with the Colombian National Team
Being one of the best goalkeepers in the history of Colombia wasn’t enough for Calero to be a major part in the national team. He belongs to the same generation as Rene Higuita, Oscar Cordoba, Eduardo Niño and Faryd Mondragon. He didn’t get the chance to play in any World Cup tournament although he was a part of the squad who played in the 1998 World Cup. He was the first goalkeeper in the Copa America 1999, mostly remembered for the game vs. Argentina, where he denied Martin Palermo three penalties.
He also won the Copa America 2001 but didn’t play in the tournament, and was a part of the squad during the Copa America in 1991, 1995, 1997 and 2007. During his last tournament, he was the first goalkeeper but Colombia played awful and Calero gave up 9 goals in 3 matches. He had 55 caps for Colombia.
Calero also scored three goals in his career - none of them in penalties. First he scored an amazing long distance shot back in 1995 when he played in Cali - mostly due to a keeper’s mistake on the other side of the pitch; Then he scored with Cali vs. Medellin in 1997 and his last goal was with Pachuca vs. Chivas. Maybe it’s a coincidence and maybe not, but April 14th is also the birth date of Miguel and also the date when the world mentions “Goalkeeper Day” to cherish the goalkeepers of this game. Miguel was supposed to be 49 years old this year and in Colombia, just like every year, the country dedicates April 14th to “El Show”.
