Wason Rentería

Wason Libardo Rentería Cuesta (born 4 July 1985) is a Colombian professional footballer who plays for Argentine club Racing Club de Avellaneda as a striker.

Club career

Born in Quibdó, Rentería began professionally with Boyacá Chicó FC, in 2004. The following year, he was included in the Colombian team that took part in the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship.

After his performances with under-20s, Rentería was transferred to Sport Club Internacional in Brazil. There he showed his flair, usually coming off the bench to score goals in a series of pivotal situations, the first being one that earned a quarterfinal berth in the 2006 edition of the Libertadores Cup which the club would eventually win, at Uruguay's Club Nacional de Football – he hit the ball over an oncoming defender's head with his right foot and first timed it past the goalkeeper with his left one; despite often playing backup to Rafael Sobis, who would then move to Real Betis, he became an important offensive element and a fan favourite.

Rentería's form was, however, cut short by a series of injuries that left him out of the side subsequently. In the 2007 January transfer window he signed for F.C. Porto in Portugal^[1] for R$7,457,400, but all of the fee belonged to a third-party owner; in reverse, International had to pay an additional commission to the football broker.^[2] Porto, on the other hand, re-sold 50% of its economic rights on any future transfer.

However, Rentería appeared rarely for the eventual champions – six matches, five as a substitute – and was sent on loan to RC Strasbourg seven months later. In spite of his nine Ligue 1 goals (squad best), the club finished second from the bottom, and he returned to Porto, being immediately loaned to fellow top flight side S.C. Braga; he was an undisputed starter throughout his first and only campaign, often partnering Albert Meyong,^[3] and also netted three goals in the Minho team's round-of-16 run in the UEFA Cup.

Porto would loan Rentería again for 2009–10, as he moved to Clube Atlético Mineiro on 22 July 2009.^[4] However, in January 2010 he moved teams again – still loaned – returning to league leaders Braga who would eventually finish second.

In January 2011 Rentería returned to his country after a six-year absence, signing with Once Caldas from Manizales and scoring on a regular basis for the team. In June, however, he changed clubs and countries again, joining Mexico's Cruz Azul for three years; however, just days after arriving, he rescinded his contract after failing his medical.

Subsequently Rentería returned to Brazil and signed with Sociedade Esportiva e Recreativa Caxias do Sul, being loaned to Santos FC until December 2011 or June 2012.^[5]

International career

Rentería represented Colombia at under-17, under-20 and senior levels. He made his full debuts in 2005, and appeared for the nation at the 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

International goals

Goal	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition	Ref.
1.	8 September 2007	Estadio Nacional, Lima, Peru	Peru	1–2	2–2	Friendly
2.	12 September 2007	El Campín, Bogotá, Colombia	Paraguay	1–0	1–0	Friendly
3.	26 March 2008	Fort Lauderdale Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, United States	Honduras	1–1	2–1	Friendly
4.	28 March 2009	El Campín, Bogotá, Colombia	Bolivia	2–0	2–0	2010 World Cup qualification

Personal life

Rentería's younger brother, Carlos, is also a footballer and a striker. Amongst others, he played for Atlético Nacional.

References

External links

• Stats and profile at Zerozero
• Wason Rentería profile at ForaDeJogo
• Wason Rentería at National-Football-Teams.com
• Wason Rentería – FIFA competition record
• Soccerway profile

Colombia squad – 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup 1 Mondragón 2 Benítez 3 De la Cuesta 4 Mendoza 5 González 6 J. Ramírez 7 Guarín 8 A. Ramírez 9 Rentería 10 Moreno 11 Valoyes 12 Martínez 13 Anchico 14 Palacio 15 Castrillón 16 Hurtado 17 Patiño 18 Arzuaga 19 Leal 20 Torres 21 Aguilar 22 Passo 23 Briceño Coach: Rueda