“They take me out of here on a stretcher!”: Catalina Usme and what she did to overcome two torn ligaments and today make history with Colombia in the World Cup

“Why are they taking me out here on a stretcher!”he replied, defiantly, as he got up once more to continue running. A few meters away, the doctor and the coach of the Colombian team – at that time Felipe Taborda – looked at the scene confused. Between admiration and respect for the effort, and concern for his health. That sunny afternoon at the beginning of 2015, Catalina Usme (Antioquia, 1989) was pale, with symptoms of fatigue from overexertion. She was the only one to stay to continue training on one of the fields of the sports headquarters of the Colombian federation. The reason? A few months earlier, she had suffered a second rupture of the cruciate ligaments and the meniscus in her right knee. The first was in 2012, right at the first Olympic Games to which they qualified.

Catalina never stopped running, let alone fighting. She was running to show those who insinuated, in those difficult days of 2014, that she was not going to play soccer again. But also to prove to herself that she could, that she had already overcome an equal injury and that one day, perhaps nine years later, she would make her great dream come true: to score the only goal -a great goal- so that his team will defeat Jamaica and qualify for the quarterfinals of the Women’s World Cup 2023the best achievement in the history of Colombian women’s soccer, where They will face England for a place in the semi-finals..

He did everything with his left foot, but he put all his weight on that battered right knee that once failed him. This time the story had a happy chapter ending. His right hand also showed everyone that he is capable of resisting everything as long as Cata -and all of Colombia- writes his name in the golden pages of the coffee sport.

“When they tell me that I won’t be able to, I can do it anyway. Challenges motivate me”, he pointed out in an interview a few years ago. That sentence sums up her life and that of all soccer players in the world: when in her hometown, Marinilla, Antioquia, they told her that she couldn’t kick a ball, she insisted. When the lack of money suggested that she give up and abandon everything to dedicate herself only to her studies, she continued. Classes in the morning, some work in the afternoon and training at night. A life full of obstacles that she turned into challenges and not excuses.

Sure, he had talent. She still has it. He played in the youth categories of the Colombian team. She was part of Formas Íntimas, an amateur team from her town, from 2007 to 2016. God also gives a hand to warriors like her.

In 2015 he began “his new life”. She was called up for the Women’s World Cup that was held in Canada, she scored a goal against France in what was the first victory of the ‘Tricolor’ in the history of the tournament and was part of the achievement of reaching the round of 16. A year later she went to América de Cali where she is captain and idol, with a brief stay in Santa Fe. Today, at the age of 33, she is the top scorer for the Colombian National Team with 52 goals and for the Copa Libertadores with 30 goals.

Catherine is an example to follow. She is an idol of Colombian soccer and -Why not?-South American. But she is also the leader of a team with great figures like Linda Caicedo who seek to continue making history and not keep what they have achieved. “This cannot be the ceiling for us, the ceiling has to be beyond, this team can handle more. You have to put your feet back on the ground, think about England and be very intelligent. They go four out of seven, we have three finals left ”.

Talent as a base

What is the secret behind the success of a Colombian team that has just qualified for the quarterfinals of a women’s World Cup for the first time in its history and defeated the powerful Germany in the group stage? For Paul Romeroa Colombian journalist, is largely due to the innate talent of the coffee players.

“Colombia is a paradox. The local league is not strong, it barely lasted four months this year, which keeps the soccer players indignant. However, at the national team level, a great job has been done that began in 2010. tells us.

Last year, the coffee team reached the final of the Under 17 World Cup for the first time in its history and the Copa América for seniors, in which they were hosts. They also advanced to the quarterfinals of the World Cup competition in the Under 20 category (they lost to Brazil, a possible rival in the round of 16 in the current tournament). In addition, it will be in charge of organizing the Under 20 World Cup in 2024.

Today, in the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, the coffee team has outstanding figures such as Linda Caicedothe 18-year-old jewel who plays for Real Madrid and has already scored two goals in the championship, and leicy santos, midfielder of Atlético de Madrid. In addition to references such as Catalina Usme.

Now Colombia will go for the pass to the semifinals. First they must face England, one of the favourites, this Saturday. But they are ready to continue writing their story.

—