Colombia’s former goal keeper Miguel Calero died at age 41 in Mexico City Tuesday after suffering a stroke.
The news was confirmed by Club Pachuca, a Mexican soccer team whom Miguel Calero coached for, via Facebook.
‘’Team Pachuca Is deeply saddened to report that at midday on Tuesday, December 4, 2012 the symbol of Tuzos, Miguel Angel Rodriguez Calero has died.’’
The 41 year old ex-national goalkeeper was hospitalized on November 26, and underwent surgery to relieve pressure on his brain after a stroke. On Monday doctors declared him brain dead and kept him alive via a life support machine. Miguel Calero’s family took time together to decide his fate.
The club also declared that the funeral will be held on Tuesday at 6:30pm local time.
Calero began his career with Deportivo Cali in 1988. After 22 years without a major championship, he helped his team conquer Colombia’s premier soccer league in 1996, the Categoria Primera A.
In 2000, the goalkeeping legend moved to Mexico to captain his final team, Pachuca, making 395 appearances before retiring from professional football in October 2011.
Known as ‘’El Condor’’ for his massive arm span and goalkeeping prowess, Calero represented Colombia 50 times in international games. Throughout his career he recorded four goals making him one of the top goalscoring goalkeepers of all time.
Calero will be remembered for the wings he wore on the back of his jersey and being one of the great Colombian keepers of all time along with Rene Higuita and Julian Viafara.
He is survived by his wife and two children.