Scorpion Kick goalkeeper René Higuita underwent plastic surgery on live TV after being voted Colombia’s ugliest icon.
Higuita, 55, built a reputation for his sweeper-keeper style, which improved the keeper’s position – he also scored 41 goals in his career.
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But he is most famous for inventing the scorpion kick and using the technique in 1995 to approve a cross from England’s Jamie Redknapp.
This earned him icon status in Colombia but ten years later, Higuita’s career declined.
He retired after failing a drug test and took the bold step in 2005 to undergo surgery on the reality television show Cambio Xtremo.
The keeper commented at the time: “I’m tired of being ugly Rene, I want to be beautiful Rene.”
And to transform his body, Higuita underwent nose surgery, a silicone chin implant, skin scrapings, slashed eyelid skin, ‘invasive’ liposuction and increased abdominal muscles.
A month after the procedure was completed, Higuita declared: “Physically I am perfect”.
Nowadays ‘El Loco’ still sports the long curly locks that were a trademark throughout his career.
And sometimes Higuita still does his scorpion kick party trick with friends.
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