Linda Caicedo
Born 2005 · Age 20
Colombian professional footballer (forward) for Real Madrid and the Colombia national team; cancer survivor; multiple individual awards and international standout.
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Life & Career Timeline
Enrolled at Real Juanchito youth academy
Joined boys-only youth club Real Juanchito FC in Candelaria; early training that developed dribbling and shooting skills.
Joined Generaciones Palmiranas (first women's club)
Entered her first women's club aged 10, where she met senior national coach Fabián Taborda.
Joined CD Atlas C.P. youth team
Moved to CD Atlas C.P., a youth-focused Cali team created by Carolina Pineda; known for developing young talents.
Won U13 Torneo Nacional (1st of 3) with Atlas
Part of Atlas side that won Torneos Nacionales at U13 level; began attracting attention from major Colombian clubs.
Won U13 Torneo Nacional (2nd) with Atlas
Second consecutive national tournament win at U13 level with Atlas youth.
Selected for national team (first call-up)
Received first Colombia national team call-up (reported November 2019, but sources note initial national-team involvement during 2019).
Professional debut for América de Cali
Made senior professional debut vs Cortuluá, scored the match-winning goal on debut.
Scored title-winning goal for América de Cali
Scored tie-winning goal in second leg of 2019 finals vs Independiente Medellín to secure América's first league title.
Top scorer in 2019 Colombian Women's League
Finished league as top scorer with 7 goals in 7 matches during debut season.
Departure from América de Cali confirmed
Club confirmed Caicedo's departure after contract negotiations over salary demands failed; became a free agent.
Diagnosed with ovarian cancer
Received ovarian cancer diagnosis in February 2020; major personal health crisis that paused playing career.
Signed for Deportivo Cali
Officially joined Deportivo Cali on a one-year contract (announced 4 Feb 2020).
Surgery to remove tumor
Underwent surgery to remove ovarian tumor (March 2020) followed by chemotherapy.
Declared cancer-free
Declared cancer-free in September 2020; resumed training days after finishing final chemo.
Debut for Deportivo Cali
Made debut for Deportivo Cali against Junior in the 2020 Colombian Women's Football League.
Scored in Copa elimination vs Millonarios
Scored in first leg and in the second leg of quarterfinal tie; Deportivo Cali were eliminated on aggregate.
Scored brace vs Atlético Bucaramanga (2021 league)
Opened her 2021 scoring campaign with a brace in the group stage.
Won Colombian Women's League with Deportivo Cali
Scored across two legs of the final vs Santa Fe; Deportivo Cali won their first ever league title (aggregate 6–3).
Premios Fémina Fútbol Young Player of the Year
Recognized as Young Player of the Year at Premios Fémina Fútbol (award date Dec 3, 2021 reported).
Scored brace vs Real Tomayapo in Copa Libertadores group stage
Part of Deportivo Cali's 8–0 victory; contributed to Cali topping their group in 2021 Copa Libertadores Femenina.
Joint top scorer at 2021 Copa Libertadores Femenina
Finished the tournament as joint-top scorer and was named to the tournament's Best XI despite Cali exiting in quarterfinals.
Scored key goals in 2022 league knockout run
Scored vs Millonarios in quarterfinal first leg and scored/converted tie-winning penalty in semi-final shootout vs Santa Fe.
Scored in 2022 Copa América group stage vs Ecuador
Scored the group-stage game-winner in a 2–1 Colombia victory in her first Copa América tournament with the senior team.
Scored semi-final winner vs Argentina (Copa América 2022)
Scored only goal in the semi-final to send Colombia to the Copa América final.
Named Copa América Femenina Golden Ball (best player)
Awarded tournament's Golden Ball and included in Copa América Best XI as Colombia finished runner-up to Brazil.
Competed at 2022 FIFA U-20 World Cup (Costa Rica)
Played with Colombia U-20s at the U-20 World Cup; Colombia reached the quarterfinals.
Runner-up & individual awards at 2022 FIFA U-17 World Cup
Helped Colombia finish second; was Colombia's top scorer (4 goals), won Silver Ball and Bronze Boot.
Became a free agent (end of Deportivo Cali contract)
Contract with Deportivo Cali expired in December 2022; publicly stated intention to move abroad when turning 18.
Appointed USAID Ambassador of Resilient Youth
Named Ambassador of Resilient Youth by USAID for work with vulnerable youth in Colombia (Feb 2023).
Named in pursuit by top European clubs (transfer speculation)
Extensive rumours linking her to Chelsea, Manchester City, Barcelona and Real Madrid ahead of her 18th birthday.
Goal vs Nigeria at Women's Revelations Cup
Scored to open the match vs Nigeria in the 2023 Women's Revelations Cup; later won Best Player of the tournament.
Spanish media report Real Madrid move imminent
Spanish outlets reported Caicedo was set to join Real Madrid ahead of Barcelona and Chelsea.
Signed three-year contract with Real Madrid
Officially signed for Real Madrid (Liga F) on a three-year deal (announced 24 Feb 2023).
Real Madrid debut
Debuted for Real Madrid in a league match vs Alhama CF.
First goal for Real Madrid (Copa de la Reina)
Scored in extra time of Copa de la Reina quarterfinal to send Real Madrid to semi-final.
First league goal for Real Madrid
Scored her first Liga F goal in a 3–1 win against Levante Las Planas.
Started 2022–23 Copa de la Reina final
Started in the Copa de la Reina final vs Atlético Madrid; Madrid lost on penalties after late equaliser.
Named to Colombia's 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup squad
Included in final 23-player squad; became the first player to play at U-17, U-20 and senior World Cups within a year (across 2022–23).
Scored vs South Korea at 2023 World Cup
Scored in Colombia's opening 2–0 win over South Korea; became second-youngest player to score in a World Cup and first Colombian to score at U-17, U-20 and senior World Cups.
Collapsed during World Cup training
Collapsed in a training session at the World Cup; later reported to be OK and returned to play.
Scored opening goal in upset vs Germany (World Cup)
Scored the opener in Colombia's historic 2–1 group-stage upset of Germany; goal nominated for the FIFA Puskás Award.
FIFA Goal of the Tournament (Hyundai) — 2023
Her World Cup goal was voted Hyundai Goal of the Tournament by FIFA.
Won Golden Girl award (Tuttosport)
Awarded the 2023 Golden Girl (best female under-21 in Europe) by Tuttosport.
Featured in Adidas Super Bowl commercial
Appeared in global Adidas ad campaign during 2024 Super Bowl alongside stars like Lionel Messi and Jude Bellingham.
Called up to Colombia squad for 2024 CONCACAF W Gold Cup
Included in Colombia's squad for the 2024 Gold Cup (call-up reported 9 Feb 2024).
Laureus World Sports Award nominee (Breakthrough of the Year)
Nominated for Laureus Breakthrough of the Year (2024 edition).
International friendly goal vs Venezuela (Barquisimeto)
Scored in friendly vs Venezuela (30 May 2024) as part of Colombia preparations for tournaments.
Called up for 2024 Summer Olympics (Paris)
Named to Colombia's Olympic squad for the Paris 2024 Games (call-up announced 5 July 2024).
Named to FIFPRO Women's World 11
Included in FIFPRO Women's World 11 for 2024 (announcement December 2024).
Liga F Player of the Month (January 2025)
Awarded Liga F Best Player of the Month for January 2025.
Selected in Primera División Team of the Year (2024–25)
Named to the Primera División (Liga F) Team of the Year for the 2024–25 season.
International appearance & goal milestones (updated stats)
As of 2 Aug 2025, listed international totals show 51 caps and 17 goals for Colombia.
Career club totals milestone (as of June 2024)
By 14 June 2024 club records list career totals across clubs (league appearances/goals) documented; Real Madrid league appearances/goals at that time were recorded in public stats.
Key Achievement Ages
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