By Today makes it 23 years and 7 days since the infamous murder of Colombian National team defender, Andres Escobar. 
The budding footballer met his untimely end following an incident which has made him one of the most memorable Football actors of all time.
It was at USA ’94 World Cup and the Colombian team had set out to face the host in their second match of the competition at Rose Bowl, Califonia, LA. 
Before 93,869 spectators, 27-year-old Andres committed a grave mistake which would eventually cost him his life. In the 35th minute, he slide down to intercept a cross from an American defender but unfortunately hit same into his own net. This was on June 22, 1994. Although, his team tried boucing back but they eventually lost the match by 2-1 to the host which led to their exit from the competition.
A few days later, on July 1st 1994, he returned home to Colombia and hung out with friends at a local bar. The buddies later dispersed to return to their various homes but Andres Escobar was not to return home. As he made to drive away in his car, he was accosted by three men and an arguement broke out. One of the gunmen reportedly shot at Andres six times while shouting “Goal”. It was later revealed that this was the number of times the commentator shouted goal after Escobar’s own goal. Unfortunately, Andres was engaged to be married to his girlfriend of five years, a dentist.
The assasination led to a global scandal to the extent that the BBC had to issue a public apology because one of its analysts, Alan Hansen had said “the defender warrants shooting for a mistake like that”. His funeral days later attracted over 120,000 people. It was later revealed that the assasination was ordered by a drug cartel whose leader lost a fortune to a bet ahead of the match.
Observers further reveal that this wouldnt have been possible if the drug lord, Pablo Escobar was alive. Although not blood relations, the cartel boss was a huge supporter of the Colombian team. His influence alone it is believed would have made other cartels leave Andres alone. Unfortunately was killed 7 months earlier in a police shootout following an attempt to escape from Prison.
The story of Andres and Pablo Escobar are intertwined. They were born in the same region of Medellin but stood for different things. While Pablo was known for crime and is one of the biggest criminals of all time, Andres and his Family were against crime. They used Football to get many off the streets.
Following his murder, his family founded the Andrés Escobar Project to help less priviledged kids learn to play football.
