Linda Caicedo: Colombia's superstar talent lighting up Women's World Cup

Two days before Linda Caicedo scored a truly stunning goal against Germany that will go down as one of the moments of the 2023 Women's World Cup and perhaps even land her a FIFA Puskas Award nomination come the end of the year, she had collapsed in training.

"Linda is very tired," was the response of Colombia’s medical staff. "What happened was just a symptom of all the stress and physical demands. She is well and all is back to normal."

'Back to normal' for Caicedo is what she did against the Germans.

The 18-year-old had already scored in Colombia’s opening win over South Korea. Now, they have an incredible chance of reaching the World Cup knockout stage for the first time. Not only that, their most favourable Group H game against Morocco is the one left, additionally presenting the opportunity to go group as group winners, and with maximum points.

Although she was already one of the hottest talents in South America, Real Madrid are breathing a sigh of relief that they wrapped up a transfer back in February. Caicedo has already been integrated into the team, but is now set to reach new heights in 2023/24 and beyond.

"I just try to enjoy this moment," she had said after the South Korea game.

It was a poignant comment given what, even at 18, Caicedo has already battled through.

She had made her first-team debut for America de Cali in 2019 aged just 14. That same year was also when the prodigious talent was called up by Colombia’s senior side for the first time. Yet, at 15, she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in early 2020 upon feeling pain in her abdomen. Surgery to remove the tumour and one of her ovaries was followed by several months of chemotherapy.

It made Caicedo doubt whether she could even continue to be a professional footballer, but family support was crucial. Just the following year, she played a part as new club Deportivo Cali went unbeaten to claim their first ever Colombian league title.

Caicedo was joint top scorer in the Copa Libertadores Femenina in 2021. Her 2022 saw Colombia return to the Copa America Femina final for the first time since 2014. The team lost to Brazil, but Caicedo walked away with the Golden Ball award as the tournament’s best player.

Later in 2022, the forward briefly stepped away from senior football to take part in the Under-17 World Cup. There, Colombia reached a first ever final in the competition, with Caicedo joint top scorer and presented the Silver Ball as the second best player. That was last October. She joined Real Madrid in February and is lighting up the senior World Cup in July, all within the space of one year.

Caicedo has previously been dubbed ‘La Neymar’ on account of her similarities to the Brazil legend, operating as a wide forward from the left flank. Her outstanding dribbling skills and technical ability make it clear to see why that comparison has been made.

Momentum from the win over Germany win will ensure that Colombia won’t fear anyone they face in the remainder of their World Cup campaign. Caicedo has played without fear since the day she was sharing a pitch with fully fledged senior players at the age of 14.

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