Colombian journalist Carl Worswick, who lives in the country’s capital Bogota, is no stranger to the legacy of Gerardo Bedoya.
Bedoya, 44, is after all the player with the maximum of red cards in football history.
“Before we went to his space to interview him once, we filmed a matador with his personality, yet it was precisely the opposite of what we might expect,” he told BBC Sport Worswick, who was then filming for the FIFA World Football series.
“He says that on and off the field, he’s someone else.
“He was a smart footballer, but it wasn’t enough to damage the other component of his career. The headlines shout “the dirtiest player in the world.”
It was a forgivable preconceived idea. Bedoya, known as “general” and “beast,” has amassed forty-five red cards in a 20-year race, which ended in 2015, with two more layoffs from the shelter since then.
He won his first as an assistant coach after just 21 minutes in 2016.
Perhaps most memorable, his 41st red card awarded after being penalized for elbowing an opponent and a kick to the player’s head on the ground earned him a 15-game suspension.
Despite growing evidence to the contrary, Bedoya argues after the match that he “usually doesn’t like that.”
“In fact, he had an explosive personality, ” added Worswick. “When he saw the red, he may not have been himself. In the heat of the moment, you may simply not take a break and continue. I was still accumulating.
“Being ejected 21 minutes after the start of his first game as an assistant coach, when that happened, the players on the bench laughed, they couldn’t. They knew it was going to happen. It is true that his reputation did not help. him.”
Born in Ebejico in 1975, there have been moments of euphoria in history amid the many red flashes for Bedoya.
Most importantly, he was a key member of colombia’s only primary football win in the 2001 Copa America, where his goal from outside the area helped Colombia defeat Honduras in the semi-finals. They would then beat Mexico 1-0 in the final.
That same year, his 86th minute hovered over Racing Argentino against his rival River Plate, considered one of the club’s top goals, won a 1-1 draw to keep Racing at the forefront and maximum insurance in the 2001 Apertura. Championship.
It’s Racing’s first name in 35 years.
Representing thirteen clubs in Central and South America, Bedoya inspired enough to win moves to the Argentine team at Boca Juniors and Puebla in Mexico, but remained in Colombia for the vast majority of his career.
There, he helped Indepfinishiente Santa Fe finish his own 37-year wait by name in 2012.
“In Santa Fe, enthusiasts probably enjoyed it because he was a player who broke into the tackles and gave 100%,” Worswick said. “They see him as someone who has surely given everything for the cause. This is one of the classic topics that feels the badge.
“Bedoya has paid respect and scored impressive goals, but believes he is only remembered for red cards. For Santa Fe and Racing fans, it will be remembered as a must-have to end the drought of names in giant teams.”
After Bedoya won the first of his three titles at Deportivo Cali in 1998 and recorded 14 red cards in the process, the drama was never far away.
Five more layoffs have happened to Racing, while there were notable hits of seven and 8 reds in the periods on both sides of Bogota’s dividing line in rivals Millonarios and Santa Fe respectively.
Bedoya’s former millionaires teammate between 2007 and 2010, Colombian winger Omar Vasquez shared his room with his compatriot before the matches.
“It is not in our society that other people just don’t forget the bad stuff, however, you shouldn’t forget it as a wonderful player in our country,” Vasquez told BBC Sport.
“Bedoya was a winner, a history author who played and won titles with the most productive groups in Argentina and Colombia.
“For me, it’s a privilege to share a wardrobe with him, with someone who’s accomplished wonderful things in his career. I enjoyed it and I have a lot of smart memories.”
Bedoya’s overall record does not appear to be at risk in the short term.
Among those who still have the chance to eclipse their record, the defense of Real Madrid and Spain Sergio Ramos is the closest after his 26th layoff against Manchester City in the Champions League in February. At 34, he’s unlikely to come near you.
It remains to be noted whether Bedoya, now 44, has the opportunity to return to the bench as a coach, and almost inevitably climb to his total.
“He argues that he now has no enemies, ” said Worswick. “Since retiring, he has been frank enough to review and rewrite his reputation. He thinks he gave it his all and the enthusiasts enjoyed it.”
For many outdoors in Colombia, Bedoya can still be the statistics of football, subsidized through web clips of difficult innings and reckless incidents outside the ball.
However, for racing and Santa Fe enthusiasts in particular, along with their former teammates, it will be an idea far beyond the moments.
“He was a strong leader and someone who fought for each and every ball. He commanded the team.” Vasquez said.
“He was a susceptible guy who would help others. Possibly it would seem contradictory, but off the field, he is a great guy, a user with a great and noble heart.”