Elson Becerra

Elson Evelio Becerra Vaca was a Colombian footballer.

Club career

Born in Cartagena, Becerra began playing football with Deportes Tolima's youth academy. He joined the senior squad at age 17, helping the club gain promotion to the Colombian second division. He scored 64 goals for Tolima.
On club level the striker had played for Al Jazira in the United Arab Emirates since 2003. He played for Emirates Club during the 2005 season. He previously played for Deportes Tolima and Atlético Junior.

International career

A national team player, Becerra won the 2001 Copa America and participated in the 2003 Confederations Cup, where he became noted for trying to save the life of the collapsed Marc-Vivien Foé. He also featured in Colombia's unsuccessful qualification for the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

Death

Becerra was shot in a night club in his birth town Cartagena together with his friend Alexander Ríos, apparently after they had a fight with a group of men a couple of days earlier. He was 27 years old.