Faustino Asprilla

Early Life

Faustino Asprilla was born on November 10, 1969. He was born in Tuluá, a city in Colombia. As a child, he loved to play football. He played football in the streets with his friends every day. His family did not have much money, but they supported his love for football.

Starting to Play Football

Young Faustino started playing real football when he was very young. He joined a small team called Cúcuta Deportivo in 1988. He was only 18 years old when he started playing for them. People quickly saw that he was very good at football. He could run fast and score many goals.

Moving to a Bigger Team

In 1989, Asprilla moved to a bigger team called Atlético Nacional. This team was one of the best teams in Colombia. Here, he became a very important player. He helped his team win many games. Other teams in different countries started to notice him. They wanted him to play for them.

Playing in Italy

In 1992, Asprilla moved to Italy. He went to play for a team called Parma. This was a very big change in his life. Italy was very different from Colombia. The football was different too. But Asprilla did very well. He scored many important goals for Parma. The fans loved him very much.

At Parma, Asprilla won many important games. He helped his team win three big cups:
- The European Cup Winners' Cup in 1993
- The UEFA Super Cup in 1993
- The UEFA Cup in 1995

Moving to England

In 1996, Asprilla moved to England. He went to play for Newcastle United. The team paid a lot of money for him - £6.7 million. This was a lot of money in 1996. The weather in England was very cold and different from Colombia. But Asprilla still played very well.

One of his best games was against Barcelona. Barcelona was one of the best teams in the world. Asprilla scored three goals in one game against them. The fans were very happy. They still remember this game today.

Playing Style

Asprilla was a special player. He did things that other players did not do. He could:
- Run very fast with the ball
- Score goals from difficult positions
- Do special tricks with the ball
- Jump very high to head the ball
- Make very good passes to other players

He was also known for doing backflips when he scored goals. The fans loved to watch him do this. He was not just a football player - he was an entertainer too.

Playing for Colombia

Asprilla played for Colombia's national team from 1993 to 2001. He played 57 games for his country. He scored 20 goals in these games. This was very good. He helped Colombia play in:
- The 1994 World Cup
- The 1998 World Cup
- Many other important games

He loved playing for his country. He always tried his best when he wore Colombia's yellow shirt. Many young Colombian players wanted to be like him.

Interesting Facts About Asprilla

Here are some fun facts about Faustino Asprilla:
- His nickname was "Tino"
- He always played with the number 11 on his shirt
- He could speak Spanish, Italian, and some English
- He liked to dance and have fun
- He was known for his colorful personality
- He had curly hair that many fans remembered
- He often smiled when he played football

How He Played Football

Asprilla had a special way of playing football. He was different from other players because:
- He was very fast
- He could change direction quickly
- He was good with both feet
- He could score from far away
- He was very creative with the ball
- He made football look fun and easy
- He could surprise other players with his moves

What Other People Said About Him

Many famous people in football talked about Asprilla. They said:
- He was one of the most talented players from Colombia
- He could change a game at any moment
- He was fun to watch
- He made difficult things look easy
- He was a very nice person off the football field
- He helped make Colombian football famous around the world

After Football

When Asprilla stopped playing professional football, he did many different things:
- He helped young players learn football
- He talked about football on TV
- He went to football games to meet fans
- He started his own business
- He stayed connected to football in Colombia
- He helped poor children play football

His Impact on Football

Asprilla was very important for football because:
- He showed that Colombian players could be very good
- He made many people happy with his football
- He helped his teams win important games
- He inspired young players in Colombia
- He showed that football should be fun
- He connected different football cultures

What We Can Learn from Asprilla

Asprilla's life teaches us many things:
- Work hard for your dreams
- Keep trying even when things are difficult
- Be happy when you do what you love
- Help others when you can
- Remember where you came from
- Stay positive even in hard times
- Be yourself and don't change for others

His Legacy in Football

Today, people still remember Asprilla because:
- He was different from other players
- He scored many beautiful goals
- He made football fun to watch
- He helped make Colombian football famous
- He showed that you can come from a poor family and be successful
- He was always positive and happy

Important Dates in His Life

Here are the important dates in Asprilla's life:
- 1969: Born in Tuluá, Colombia
- 1988: Started playing professional football
- 1989: Joined Atlético Nacional
- 1992: Moved to Parma in Italy
- 1996: Joined Newcastle United in England
- 1993-2001: Played for Colombia's national team

Famous Goals

Some of Asprilla's most famous goals were:
- Three goals against Barcelona for Newcastle
- Many goals for Colombia in World Cup games
- Important goals for Parma in European cups
- Special goals where he did backflips after scoring
- Goals from very far away
- Goals that helped his teams win cups

His Personality

Asprilla was known for being:
- Very happy and positive
- Kind to fans
- Good with his teammates
- Fun and entertaining
- Helpful to young players
- Proud of Colombia
- A good friend to many people

Why People Loved Him

Fans around the world loved Asprilla because:
- He played football with joy
- He made people happy when they watched him
- He was good to his fans
- He helped his teams win
- He did special things on the football field
- He was different from other players
- He showed that football should be fun

His Place in Football History

Faustino Asprilla has a special place in football history. He was not just a good player - he was someone who made football more fun and interesting. He showed that players from small places could become big stars. He helped make Colombian football famous around the world. Even today, many years after he stopped playing, people remember him with happiness.

Young players can learn a lot from Asprilla. He showed that it's important to work hard but also to enjoy what you do. He proved that you can be successful while staying true to yourself. His story shows that football is not just about winning - it's about making people happy and bringing joy to others.

Today, Faustino Asprilla is still loved by football fans. He reminds us that football is a beautiful game that can bring people together and make life more fun. His story continues to inspire new generations of players and fans around the world.

Reading Comprehension Questions: Faustino Asprilla Biography

True or False Questions
1. Faustino Asprilla was born in Italy.
2. He played football in the streets when he was young.
3. His first professional team was Atlético Nacional.
4. He never played in the World Cup.
5. Asprilla could do backflips after scoring goals.
6. He played for Newcastle United in England.
7. He spoke only Spanish.
8. He always wore the number 10 shirt.
9. He was born in 1969.
10. He played for Colombia's national team for 8 years.



Multiple Choice Questions
1. Where was Asprilla born?
a) Italy
b) England
c) Tuluá, Colombia
d) Barcelona

2. Which team did he play for in Italy?
a) AC Milan
b) Parma
c) Juventus
d) Roma

3. How many goals did he score against Barcelona for Newcastle?
a) One
b) Two
c) Three
d) Four

4. How many games did he play for Colombia?
a) 37
b) 47
c) 57
d) 67

5. What was his nickname?
a) Tino
b) Fino
c) Tina
d) Fausto



Fill in the Blanks
1. Asprilla started playing professional football in _______ (year).
2. He played for _______ United in England.
3. His _______ was not rich, but they supported his love for football.
4. He could speak _______, _______, and some _______.
5. He played _______ games for Colombia's national team.



Short Answer Questions
1. Name three teams that Asprilla played for.
2. What special thing did he do after scoring goals?
3. How many goals did he score for Colombia?
4. What did he do after he stopped playing football?
5. What number did he wear on his shirt?


Discussion Questions (For Speaking Practice)
1. Why do you think people loved watching Asprilla play?
2. What can we learn from Asprilla's life story?
3. Would you like to be a professional football player? Why or why not?
4. What do you think was Asprilla's biggest achievement?
5. How is football different today compared to when Asprilla played?

Writing Tasks
1. Write three sentences about Asprilla's early life.
2. Write a paragraph about why Asprilla was special as a football player.
3. Write five important facts about Asprilla's career.
4. Imagine you are a journalist. Write three questions you would like to ask Asprilla.
5. Write a short paragraph about what Asprilla did after football.

Vocabulary Matching
Match these words from the text with their meanings:
1. Professional
2. Support
3. Famous
4. Inspire
5. Legacy
6. Creative
7. Impact
8. Personality

a) To help or encourage
b) Something left behind
c) The way someone behaves
d) Doing something as a job
e) Well known by many people
f) To make others want to do something
g) The effect on others
h) Having new and original ideas

Timeline Activity
Put these events in the correct order:
- Moved to Newcastle United
- Born in Tuluá
- Started playing for Colombia
- Joined Parma
- Started playing professional football
- Joined Atlético Nacional