Javier Guzmán

Javier Guzmán Colin ( born January 9, 1945 in El Higo, Veracruz ) - also known by the nickname Kaliman, a Mexican comic book heroes - is a former Mexican football player who acted as a central defender in the rule, and as one of the best Vorstopper in the history of Mexican football applies.

Biography

Association

Javier Guzmán made ​​his debut as a professional footballer in 1961 for the CD Tampico in a game of Mexican Primera División, when he was just 16 years old. When his club at the end of the season 1962/63 in the Segunda División relegation, he stayed first in Tampico and played in the second division season 1963/64, among other things, against Cruz Azul, whose coach Jorge Marik of Guzmán's talent was so impressed that he immediately it after the rise of his crew undertook at the end of the same season. Over the next few years, Cruz Azul has developed into the most successful team in the country and won with " Kaliman " Guzmán five times the Cup, a Copa México and three times the CONCACAF Champions Cup.

Even after his playing career, he stayed with Cruz Azul under contract, where he worked for long stretches as a coach at youth level and for a time the reserve team Cruz Azul Hidalgo trained.

National

Guzmán made ​​his debut in the jersey of the Mexican national team in a friendly match against Bulgaria (1-1) on February 15, 1970. The performance of the debutant was so convincing that he was appointed by the national coach Raúl Cárdenas to the World Cup squad. Already at the start of the tournament Guzmán had become a regular player, who played all World Cup games of Mexicans in full length. In the final group match against Belgium ( 1-0) he saved his team's victory, blocking a powerful shot by Johan Devrindt for his already beaten goalkeeper Ignacio Calderón for a corner.

His last of 38 international matches played Kaliman on October 22, 1977 as part of the World Cup qualifiers in 1978 against Canada. After the Canadians were already gone minutes after 9 in the lead, it was just the central defender Guzmán (who had only scored in his previous 37 internationals one goal) reserved for his team with two goals in just five minutes ( 39 and 44. ) due to winning ways. Hugo Sánchez continued in the 65th minute the final point for a 3-1 win for " El Tri ".

Disease

Because of advanced diabetes his right leg had to be amputated. But Kaliman Guzmán has let it get out of this heavy blow before: "I feel great, I feel good. It is true that I had an incident; but he is not the end, but just another aspect of my life, I meet with a lot of courage and strength, because I still want to do a lot. "

Guzmán analyzed his illness to a philosophical manner: "It is paradoxical. For many years, my legs were the most important thing I had; I owe them all my material wealth. Today I have only one leg and can not kick the ball, which has always been my favorite pastime. But I still do not give up. All these are only stages. Challenges that a life presents. I have lost a battle, but with a lot of strength and willpower I can win the war. "

Achievements

• Mexican champions: 1968 /69 México 1970 1971/72 1972 /73 1973/74
• Copa México: 1969
• CONCACAF Champions Cup: 1969, 1971, 1972