Wason Rentería

NPOV|date=September 2007Football player infobox
playername = Wason Rentería


fullname = Wason Libardo Rentería Cuesta
height = height|m=1.86
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1985|7|4
cityofbirth = Quibdó
countryofbirth = Colombia
currentclub = FC Porto
clubnumber = --
position = Striker
youthyears = 2001-2002
youthclubs = Patriotas de Tunja
years = 2002-2005
2005-2006
2007-
2007-2008
2008-
clubs = Chicó
Internacional
FC Porto
→ RC Strasbourg (loan)
→ S.C. Braga (loan)
caps(goals) = 43 (13)
33 0(6)
06 0(0)
28 0(9)
nationalyears = 2005-
nationalteam = Colombia
nationalcaps(goals) = 06 0(3)
pcupdate = 23:23, 20 April 2008 (UTC)
ntupdate = 23:23, 20 April 2008 (UTC)

Wason Libardo Rentería Cuesta (or simply Rentería) (born July 4, 1985 in Quibdó) is a Colombian football striker who currently plays for FC Porto.

Rentería is known for his power game, his ability, and technique. His height of 1.86 metres makes him dangerous in the aerial game. His past clubs include Patriotas de Boyacá and Chicó where he made his professional debut in 2004. Rentería was part of the Colombian national team that took part in the FIFA World Youth Championship in 2005.

After drawing interest from several clubs across the globe after his performances with the Colombian U-20 side, Rentería was transferred to Internacional de Porto Alegre in Brasil. At Inter, Rentería immediately showed his flair for the dramatic by coming off the bench to score goals in a series of pivotal situations. His first highlight was the sub goal that qualified Inter into the Copa Libertadores (South American Champions League), which the southern Brazilian side would eventually win. Rentería took advantage of Inter's busy cup calendar to become the starter on the mixed side they sent to play in the domestic league and establish himself as a presence on their Libertadores side - becoming the top scorer in their championship run despite coming off the bench. On April 27, 2006, playing away in Montevideo, he scored the deciding goal against Club Nacional de Football of Uruguay in the Copa Libertadores de América, to earn Inter's spot in the quarterfinals - Rentería hit the ball over an oncoming defender's head with his right foot and first timed it past the goalkeeper with his left foot. He would later score a fantastic goal against LDU Quito, a prestigious Ecuadorian side, in the Copa Libertadores de América, lobbing the keeper Mora on one of his touches on the pitch after coming on late as a sub.

Despite playing as back-up to the popular Rafael Sobis, who currently plies his trade in Spain's Real Betis, Rentería quickly became a fan favourite in Internacional because of the nerve he demonstrated, scoring goals in key moments, as well as the energetic and irreverent celebrations he performed every time he scored a goal. He developed cult status for his "ruque raque" dance celebration and later captured the hearts of the Inter fans by emulating the club's mascot in celebrations. Unfortunately, his great run of form was cut off by a run of nagging injuries that kept him out of Inter's starting XI after the Copa.

He signed for FC Porto in the January 2007 transfer window, but was sent on loan to RC Strasbourg seven months later where he finished their top scorer with 9 goals and gained interest from big European clubs. FC Porto thought Renteria still needed some more european experience before he would be ready for FC Porto 1st team so he was loaned out yet again to S.C. Braga

His brother Carlos Rentería is a professional footballer currently playing for Atlético Nacional.

External links

* [http://www.rcstrasbourg.fr/equipe1_fiche.php?rub=3&srub=&art=741 Profile at RC Strasbourg's official site]
* [http://www.lfp.fr/joueur/index.asp?no_joueur=116389 profile at lfp.fr]