Colombian star Linda Caicedo lands in Spain; what did she say about signing for Real Madrid?

Colombian sensation Linda Caicedo is already in Madrid. The 18-year-old, considered by many to be the best teenager in the world, landed in the Spanish capital on Thursday morning having caught a flight from Monterrey in Mexico, where she had been taking part in the 2023 Women’s Revelations Cup with her national team. Having come to the end of her contract with Deportivo Cali in her homeland and turned 18, everything points to her now signing for Real Madrid. “There’s so much I want to achieve”, she stated upon her arrival.

The Colombian wonderkid celebrated her 18th birthday and was finally free - according to FIFA regulations - to sign for a foreign club. Real Madrid, Barcelona, Chelsea and several franchises from the best league in the world, the NWSL in the United States, were all interested in snapping her up; she and her camp have ultimately opted that Madrid is the best place for her to be and she could well sign for the club today (Thursday).

What did Linda Caicedo say about joining Real Madrid?

“Everything should be agreed in the next few hours. It’s an important move not just for me, but also for women’s soccer in my country. I want to achieve big things here and perform at the highest level”, stated Caicedo as she walked through arrivals at Barajas airport in Madrid, where a handful of reporters were waiting for her. When asked if she was happy, she responded with a smile, “Absolutely”.

Best wishes for her “next challenge”

Caicedo’s received a whole host of birthday messages on her official Instagram account, with Colombian national team teammates such as Manuela Vanegas, Daniela Montoya, Carolina Arias, Daniela Caracas, and Diana Ospina getting in touch to wish her a happy 18th birthday, as well as best wishes for her “next challenge.” One such post even included a Real Madrid song. Her former club, Deportivo Cali, as well as sponsor Adidas, also wished her a happy birthday.

What type of player is Linda Caicedo?

The leader of the Colombia team that finished as runners-up in the Under-17 World Cup in India, as well as of the Under-20 side, Caicedo also featured in last summer’s Copa America with the full team. Brazil won the tournament but the young Colombian was named its best player. A powerful, fast and technicaly-gifted goalscorer, Caicedo has shone wherever she has played, whether out wide or as a central striker.

The IFFHS (International Federation of Football History and Statistics) named her the world’s best Under-20 soccer player in 2022. Caicedo signed for Deportivo Cali in 2020 after leaving city rivals America de Cali. Now the time has come for Colombia’s next big thing to take a big leap in her sporting career...