Wuilker Fariñez: the newest famous goalkeeper in Latin America
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The spectacular saves of the Venezuelan goalkeeper have been celebrated, for several months, in all parts of Colombia and Latin America
His saves have been around the world in recent weeks. YouTube is full of visits to the videos of his spectacular saves. His name is Wuilker Fariñez and he is of Venezuelan nationality. Currently, he is a member of Millionarios of the Águila League of Colombia and has won praise from all over Latin America and the world.
Leer en español: Wuilker Fariñez: el portero del momento en América Latina
What is the story of this young Venezuelan goalkeeper? And above all, where can he go with his talent? Here, in this special section of LatinAmerican Post, the answers to these questions.
Where does Wuilker come from?
For those who know little of his roots, Fariñez, who has just turned 21, is a boy born in a very humble neighborhood of Caracas; of course, with soccer in his veins from his own beginnings as an athlete.
As the Supuesto Negado website states, Wuilker hails from the Gramoven neighborhood in Catia, Caracas: "He started his career in clubs in his neighborhood, but was soon captured by scouts and signed by the sub-14 team of Caracas F.C.; and then, in 2012, was selected as the only goalkeeper in the Polar Companies camp to travel and make a test at Real Madrid." From there on, on his return and with a little more work, with only 17 years old, he became an indisputable goalkeeper in the FC Caracas goal.
A Venezuelan referent
However, the great leap to stardom of this humble young man came in 2017 when the 'Vinotinto' played the U-20 World Cup in South Korea. Fariñez was a figure throughout the tournament, became the least beaten goal and even managed to score a goal in the event, which generated the admiration of locals and foreigners.
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When it was thought that his path in Rafael Dudamel's, manager of the national soccer team, majors teams would take some time, the strategist handed him the goal just two months after the world runner-up. He closed the Russian qualifier 2018 as the owner of the position and, as Tranfermarket details, dressed as a hero against Argentina and Chile, even ending up taking a penalty from Alexis Sánchez. With this, he relegated from the World Cup to the austral team and exhibited his ability to stop penalties, another of his great qualities.
Millonarios soul
If it was thought that what Fariñez did in the Venezuela's National Soccer Team was extraordinary, in Millonarios he finished taking a step of greatness. First, he took the team to a new league title and then became one of the biggest stars of Colombian soccer thanks to its spectacular cap.
What's more, his importance in Colombian soccer has been so important that Óscar Cordoba himself, goalkeeper of the 90s, one of the stars of Boca Juniors and the Colombian national team, referred to Wuilker in a Fox Sports interview as a one of the great promises of soccer. "Although I think he is a little small for his position (1.81 meters), his talent is enviable. His saves are impressive and I am pleasantly surprised."
His great dream
What is clear is that Fariñez's journey as a soccer player is already taking off and his dreams of achieving even greater achievements are intact. He told the newspaper AS that, although his contract with Millonarios ends in 2020 and he feels very calm to defend these colors, his goal is to go to Europe, and why not, to Real Madrid.
"At some point I would like to go to Europe, I would like to play at Real Madrid, I have followed Iker Casillas all my life, he is an excellent goalkeeper and a world reference and I dream of following his steps".
LatinAmerican Post | Freddy Gonzales
Translated from "Wuilker Fariñez: el portero del momento en América Latina"
