Linda Caicedo: The Prodigious Talent From Colombia

Linda Caicedo is a dynamic Colombian forward known for her speed, agility, and goal-scoring prowess. Born and raised in Colombia, Caicedo’s journey in football began at a young age when she showcased exceptional talent and passion for the game.

Her early years were marked by diligent training and a relentless dedication to improving her skills. At the age of 18, she is already well recognized globally by fans, media and everyone interested in female football. Join us as we explore her journey as a cancer survivor to a record-setter on the international stage.

Player Profile – Linda Caicedo

Caicedo’s career has been highlighted by numerous achievements, both domestically and internationally. She has represented Colombia at various youth levels before making her mark on the senior national team.

She is an attacking player with flair, speed and dynamism. Caicedo also has technical proficiency and keen positional awareness. She currently plays for Real Madrid Femenino and the Colombian national team. 

Player Profile Overview

Early Life

Linda Caicedo grew up with her parents Herlinda Alegría and Mauricio Caicedo in Candelaria, Valle del Cauca, Colombia. She joined Real Juanchito FC, a boys-only club when she was just five years old. to parents. Her talent was evident to everyone from the very beginning.

She excelled in dribbling and shooting with the ball. Her mother described Linda as only interested in football. Her mentor is Rafael Murillo, the club at Real Juanchito who she met as she progressed through the ranks.

Caicedo’s talent began to make waves and after joining different women’s football groups she joined CD Atlas C.P. a team with a reputation for developing young football players. With her performance for the club, some of the biggest women’s clubs in Colombia began to take an interest in her talents.

Her football journey almost ended before it began. She was diagnosed with cancer that threatened to derail her career. However, Linda Caicedo won her battle against cancer to become an inspirational figure for other athletes.

Linda Caicedo‘s Playing Style

Caicedo is known for her exceptional speed and agility on the field. She uses her quick bursts of speed to beat defenders and create scoring opportunities for herself and her teammates. The Colombian also possesses excellent dribbling skills, allowing her to navigate through tight spaces and evade defenders with ease.

Another important facet of her game is Her close ball control. It enables her to maintain possession under pressure. Furthermore, she is a flamboyant player adding flair and creativity to her game. She includes step-overs, feints, and flicks to deceive opposing players.

Although she primarily operates as a winger or forward, Caicedo is versatile enough to adapt to different positions and tactical setups. She has a keen sense of positioning inside the box and possesses a clinical finish, making her a constant threat in front of goal. Caicedo also tracks back to support her teammates in defense.

Linda Caicedo’s Career Highlights

The Colombian forward started her youth career at Real Juanchito FC, where her excellent dribbling and shooting abilities were first noticed. Linda Caicedo joined her first women’s club, Generaciones Palmiranas when she was 10 years old.

One year later, she was on the move again joining the highly reputable club CD Atlas C.P. The team is based in Cali and was founded by fellow Colombian international Carolina Pineda.  It was at CD Atlas that she honed her skills and three consecutive U13 Torneos Nacionales.

Making Her Professional Debut

Linda Caicedo’s career started at America de Cali signing for them in 2019 and making her debut against Cortulua on 15 July 2019, aged only 14. Caicedo’s first senior came on her debut, marking an impressive professional debut that speaks volumes of her immense talents.

In her debut season, Caicedo won the 2019 Colombian Women’s Football League as well as the Golden Boot with 7 goals in 7 league matches. Amongst her impressive performances was her display in the second leg of the 2019 league finals.

Caicedo scored the winning goal against Independiente Medellín in a two-leg tie win America de Cali their first-ever league title.  Although the club qualified for the 2019 Copa Libertadores Femenina, Caicedo could not participate, as she was only 14 at the time, well below the minimum age of 16.

At the end of the season, she was on the move. She left America de Cali as the club was unable to agree to a new contract due to her salary demands.

Playing for Rival Club

After leaving America, she joined America’s cross-city rivals Deportivo Cali on a year-long contract. However, her debut was delayed for six months as she had to deal with ovarian cancer.

Caicedo’s debut for Cali came against Junior on 20 October 2020 in the season opener of the 2020 Colombian Women’s Football League. She scored Her first and only goal in the group stages against her former club, America de Cali.

Caicedo opened up her scoring in the new season with two goals against Atletico Bucamaranga in the 2021 Women’s Football League. Caicedo’s goals helped Deportivo Cali win their first-ever League title. She scored one goal in the first leg of the final and two goals in the second leg of the finals.

In addition to helping the team win their first title, she also helped them qualify for the 2021 Copa Libertadores Femenina. She was instrumental in helping Deportivo qualify from the group stage scoring three goals in the process. 

Amongst the goals was a brace in the 8–0 demolition of Bolivian side Real Tomayapo[ and one goal in the win against Universidad de Chile. In the next round, Caicedo scored the only goal in a 2-1 defeat to Uruguayan side Nacional in the quarterfinals.

Although Deportivo were knocked out in the quarterfinals, Caicedo was the tournament joint-top scorer alongside Esperanza Pizarro, Victória, Jheniffer, and Cali teammate Tatiana Ariza. Her impressive performances in the tournament were rewarded as she was also named to the tournament’s Best XI.

After scaling through the group stages and knockout stages of the 2022 season Caicedo reached the final with Deportivo. They faced off against her former club America de Cali. Although She scored a goal in the second leg of the tie, her former club ran out 4–3 winners on aggregate.

Her last match with Cali would ultimately come in the Final game versus América. The second half of the season was suspended due to a lack of participating teams. Furthermore, Her participation in the 2022 U17 Women’s World Cup meant she could not play for Deportivo Cali at the 2022 Copa Libertadores.

Linda Caicedo’s European Adventure Begins

Despite several rumours surrounding the superstar and linking her to other giants in female football, Linda Caicedo joined Spanish club Real Madrid Femenino on 24 February 2023.

Caicedo made her debut for the club against Alhama CF on 4 March 2023 and 5 days later She scored her first goal for the club. The goal came in extra time of the Copa de la Reina quarterfinals against Villarreal which helped take Madrid to their second-ever semi-final in the tournament.

Linda Cacedo scored her first goal against Levante Las Planas. She was an ever-present for the club starting the 2023 Copa de la Reina final defeat against the club’s rivals Atlético Madrid. Her first season with Madrid yielded two goals and four assists in 10 outings for the club.

On 17 November 2023, Tuttosport crowned Caicedo with the Golden Girl Award as the best female U21 footballer playing in Europe over the calendar year. In her second season with the club, she has 3 goals and 4 assists in 19 matches for the club.

International Career

Linda Caicedo’s international career started at the youth level. Caicedo played in the South American Under-17 Women’s Championship, the Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica, and the Under-17 Women’s World Cup in India.

Caicedo received her first national team call-up in November 2019. She was a member of the Women’s team for the 2022 Copa América Femenina. Her first goal of the competition came in the group stage against Ecuador in a 2–1 win.

She scored the winning goal in the semi-finals against Argentina as Colombia advanced to their third Copa America final. Although Colombia lost 1-0 to Brazil in the final, Caicedo won the Golden Ball. She was also one of three Colombian players in the Best XI which included Debinha and Yamila Rodríguez.[60][61]

Linda Caicedo was part of the Colombian squad that competed at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Her inclusion meant she became the first Colombian and the first female player in history to compete at three Women’s World Cups within a year. That year she appeared at the U17, U20 and Senior Women’s World Cup.

She scored on her World Cup debut in the opening match against South Korea. Her goal put her in illustrious company as she became the second youngest player to score in a World Cup, behind Brazilian football legend Marta. She is the first Colombian in history to score in the U-17, U-20, and senior Women’s World Cups.

Linda Caicedo became part of the giant-killing club as She led Colombia to one of the biggest upsets in Women’s World Cup history. She scored the first goal against Germany as Colombia won the Group H encounter 2-1.

Linda Caicedo: One of FIFA’s Best

Linda Caicedo announced herself as a prodigy, making her senior debut at the age of 14. Despite battling cancer she was not to be stopped. She led both America de Cali and Deportivo de Cali to their first domestic league titles. 

On the international scene, it is truly remarkable that at such a young age She has represented the U17s, U20s and the women’s national team. Her list of accolades includes the 2023 Golden Girl Award, 2023 IFFHS Women’s World Team of the Year, FIFA U17 World Cup Silver Ball and Bronze Boot to name a few.

She also scored the FIFA Women’s World Cup Goal of the Tournament in the 2023 edition. She became the second youngest player, at 18 years and 153 days, to score in a World Cup. At just 18, she is well and truly on her path to becoming the best in FIFA’s history. 

Personal life Of Linda Caicedo

After signing for Deportivo Cali, Caicedo was misdiagnosed with gastritis in 2020. She continued to receive treatment, however, her condition continued to deteriorate. She was later diagnosed with ovarian cancer and underwent surgery to remove the tumour.

During the recuperation period, she underwent chemotherapy for six months. Caicedo was bedridden for three of the six months as She recovered. In September 2020, She returned to the pitch days after she was declared cancer-free and finished her final round of chemo.

As she recovered from her cancer treatment, Linda Caicedo struggled mentally. She consulted with the psychologists at Deportivo Cali to help her through this phase. The player finished her final checkup in November 2021. Her doctor appointments were challenging due to the 2021 Colombian demonstrations.

Caicedo is romantically involved with her partner Valentina. During the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, she scored a goal against Germany and made a heart-shaped gesture with her hands in honour of Valentina.

Linda Caicedo is an ambassador for Fundacion Mi Sangre, a nonprofit organisation founded by civic activist Catalina Cock Duque and singer Juanes. The organisation focuses on empowering young people in Colombia through entrepreneurship and leadership.

Caicedo was named an Ambassador of Resilient Youths by USAID in February 2023. The award was in recognition of her efforts in maximising the potential of vulnerable youth in 30 municipalities in Colombia.

Conclusion

As one of Colombia’s most promising talents, Caicedo’s future in football appears bright. With her skillset and determination, she is poised to continue making significant contributions to both club and country.

Whether representing her nation on the international stage or competing for club honours, Caicedo’s impact on the game is sure to endure for years to come.

In her already young career, she has overcome adversity to star at the grandest stages in world football. At Footballers’ Biographies, we eagerly anticipate the future exploits of this prodigious talent in female football.