The sound of a ringing telephone startled Santiago Escobar. It was July 2, 1994 at 2 a.m. in Las Vegas, Nevada, where Santiago, the older brother of Colombia national team defender Andrés Escobar, was on vacation with a sizable contingent of immediate family.The Escobars had planned to tour the United States while they followed Andrés and World Cup favorites Colombia deep into the knockout round of the tournament. When Colombia were eliminated in the group stage, their summer family plans changed on a whim.

Santiago, an accomplished midfielder who had recently retired after a 13-year professional career, was joined in Las Vegas by his father Dario, along with several siblings and extended family.Andrés was supposed to be there, too, but instead traveled back to his hometown of Medellín, despite Santiago’s insistence he stay with his family. Pamela Cascardo, Andrés’ then-fiancée, was finishing dental school in Medellín, which was a factor in his decision to return.After starting every game for Colombia at the 1990 World Cup, in which Colombia advanced from the group stage for the first time, a transfer to European football became a real possibility.Before the 1994 World Cup, European champions Milan targeted Andrés as a potential successor to their legendary center back Franco Baresi. The Italian is considered one of football’s greatest-ever defenders. But the World Cup that followed was a forgettable tournament for Colombia.Andrés scored an own goal against the U.S. on June 22 in Colombia’s second game that contributed to an embarrassing 2-1 loss. The result came after a 3-1 defeat to Romania.“It was really hard for us as a family,” Santiago tells The Athletic from his home in Medellín, “because we were there in the stadium, and it was just so painful to see Andrés on the ground like that, holding his head.”

Cup 2026LIVESwitzerland vs Colombia4m agoArgentina Rally Past EgyptDay 26 RecapBracketThe tragic death of Andrés Escobar, as told by his brother: ‘After 32 years, I still cry for him’A composite photo with images of Andrés EscobarSantiago Escobar wants people to remember his brother Andrés for more than what happened on July 2, 1994 Illustration: Kelsea Petersen / The Athletic; Photos courtesy of the Escobar familyFelipe CardenasBy Felipe CardenasJuly 1, 2026The sound of a ringing telephone startled Santiago Escobar. It was July 2, 1994 at 2 a.m. in Las Vegas, Nevada, where Santiago, the older brother of Colombia national team defender Andrés Escobar, was on vacation with a sizable contingent of immediate family.The Escobars had planned to tour the United States while they followed Andrés and World Cup favorites Colombia deep into the knockout round of the tournament. When Colombia were eliminated in the group stage, their summer family plans changed on a whim.AdvertisementSantiago, an accomplished midfielder who had recently retired after a 13-year professional career, was joined in Las Vegas by his father Dario, along with several siblings and extended family.Andrés was supposed to be there, too, but instead traveled back to his hometown of Medellín, despite Santiago’s insistence he stay with his family. Pamela Cascardo, Andrés’ then-fiancée, was finishing dental school in Medellín, which was a factor in his decision to return.After starting every game for Colombia at the 1990 World Cup, in which Colombia advanced from the group stage for the first time, a transfer to European football became a real possibility.Before the 1994 World Cup, European champions Milan targeted Andrés as a potential successor to their legendary center back Franco Baresi. The Italian is considered one of football’s greatest-ever defenders. But the World Cup that followed was a forgettable tournament for Colombia.Andrés scored an own goal against the U.S. on June 22 in Colombia’s second game that contributed to an embarrassing 2-1 loss. The result came after a 3-1 defeat to Romania.“It was really hard for us as a family,” Santiago tells The Athletic from his home in Medellín, “because we were there in the stadium, and it was just so painful to see Andrés on the ground like that, holding his head.”Andrés Escobar reacts after his own goal against the United States. Michael Kunkel / Bongarts / Getty ImagesThe own goal did more than dash Colombia’s hopes at the World Cup. Because of the magnitude of the occasion, Andrés felt his expected move to Italy’s top side would fall through. Immediately after the loss, Andrés spoke to Santiago at Colombia’s team hotel.“He wanted to have a great World Cup because he was going to be Franco Baresi’s replacement at Milan,” Santiago says. “When he scored that own goal, he said to me: ‘Never in my life had I scored an own goal and I had to go and do it in the middle of a World Cup’. That destroyed him. He was devastated.”