‘I was tired of being ugly’ – Scorpion kick goalkeeper Rene Higuita looks unrecognisable after televised plastic surgery | The Sun

SCORPION kick goalkeeper Rene Higuita underwent plastic surgery on LIVE TV after he was voted Colombia’s ugliest icon.

Higuita, 55, built a reputation for his sweeper-keeper style of play, bringing flair to the keeper position – he even scored 41 goals in his career.

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Rene Higuita playing for Colombia in 1990

Credit: PA:Empics Sport

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Wembley was lit-up when Higuita performed a scorpion kick against England

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Higuita looked transformed after his surgery

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Higuita returned to playing after his 2005 live TV operation

But he is most famous for inventing the scorpion kick and in 1995 cleared a cross from England’s Jamie Redknapp using the technique.

That elevated him to icon status in Colombia but ten years later Higuita’s career snowdived.

He retired after failing a drug test and took the bold step to undergo surgery on reality television show Cambio Extremo in 2005.

At the time the keeper commented: “I am tired of being ugly René, I want to be handsome René.”

And to transform his body Higuita had nose surgery, a silicon chin implant, skin peel, eyelid skin cut away, ‘aggressive’ liposuction and abdominal muscle enhancement.

A month after the procedure was completed Higuita declared: “Bodily I am perfect”.

Nowadays ‘El Loco’ still sports long curly locks that were a trademark throughout his career.

And occasionally Higuita still performs his scorpion kick party trick with friends.

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Higuita at The Best FIFA Football Awards 2018

Credit: Getty

20 años después!! ✌️que tal me salió?😜 pic.twitter.com/YfjEzKjB1g

— René Higuita (@higuitarene) September 6, 2015

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