Linda Caicedo: Why Colombian football star is made for the world stage

Linda Caicedo was born to play football.

At just 19 years old, she has already shown exactly why that is.

In 2023, her performances at the World Cup propelled her to stardom, the teenager proving exactly she was dubbed the sport’s next big thing.

Caicedo is now in her third season with Spanish side Real Madrid, and it looks like this is set to be her most productive campaign yet, particularly in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

Five games on the European stage this term have seen her bag three goals and three assists to help her side into the last eight of the competition.

But for all of her work on the pitch, she recognises the importance of being a good person off it, too.

Despite her age, she is fast becoming a role model to others.

“These days [young] girls have several role models to look up to,” she told FIFA.

“It’s important that they see a good person off the pitch as well, and that they can develop and get more opportunities.”

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Linda Caicedo: The story of a survivor

Four years ago, Caicedo was faced with the fact she may never play the sport she loves again.

Right at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, she was diagnosed with cancer.

A period of uncertainty globally only made the matter harder to deal with, weighing heavy on her mental health.

“The day they were going to operate on me, I thought I would not be able to return to top-level football,” she told Spanish tabloid Mundo Deportivo.

Not only did she come back to elite football, but she returned better than ever.

She is at the heart of a Colombian team inspiring thousands of young girls to follow their dreams.

More importantly, though, she is a face people look to in moments of adversity.

“My family family was always behind me,” she added to BBC Sport.

“For people in difficult times like I was, I am an example you can overcome this.”

After six months of chemotherapy, and within days of being given the all-clear, she made a triumphant return to training.

Now this extraordinary player and person is on a quest to become one of the best in the world.

Linda Caicedo: My style of football is played on the streets

Caicedo is making her name on some of the best football pitches across the globe, but it’s on the streets where she really honed her craft.

As a young girl, she would take to the streets of Cali to perfect her game – most of which came naturally to her.

“I admire a lot of top players, but my style is one that’s played on the streets,” she explained to The Athletic.

“It’s streetball – that’s the game that I learned to play in my neighbourhood; I try to enjoy myself.

“The majority of the moves I make come naturally to me… I just want to be smiling when I play, it’s something I really enjoy, it’s my passion.”

She may see her style as something different to others, but her talent is recognised universally.

Former Colombia men’s international Faustino Asprilla chalks it down to her understanding of football.

“She’s so impressive,” he said in the same piece.

“She is so young and in the midst of a learning process, but she plays as if she were much older because she understands the game so well.

“It makes us proud that she’s Colombian.”

She may have the weight of a nation on her shoulders every time she steps foot on the pitch, but it only motivates the Madrid forward.

And as far as Caicedo is concerned, she is still just a teenager living her dream.

“I’m still a girl who has dreams and someone who tries to accomplish my goals on a daily basis,” she concludes.

“I hope to continue to improve every day and enjoy this time with my teammates.

“I’m at this massive club which motivates me even more… every day I can grow.”