 Bacca at the 2018 World Cup | |||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Carlos Arturo Bacca Ahumada[1] | ||||||||||
| Date of birth | (1986-09-08)8 September 1986 (age 39) | ||||||||||
| Place of birth | Puerto Colombia, Colombia | ||||||||||
| Height | 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)[1] | ||||||||||
| Position | Striker | ||||||||||
| Team information | |||||||||||
Current team | Atlético Junior | ||||||||||
| Number | 70 | ||||||||||
| Senior career* | |||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | ||||||||
| 2007–2011 | Atlético Junior | 97 | (50) | ||||||||
| 2007 | →Barranquilla (loan) | 27 | (12) | ||||||||
| 2007–2008 | →Minervén (loan) | 29 | (12) | ||||||||
| 2008 | →Barranquilla (loan) | 19 | (14) | ||||||||
| 2011–2013 | Club Brugge | 45 | (28) | ||||||||
| 2013–2015 | Sevilla | 72 | (34) | ||||||||
| 2015–2018 | AC Milan | 70 | (31) | ||||||||
| 2017–2018 | →Villarreal (loan) | 35 | (15) | ||||||||
| 2018–2021 | Villarreal | 75 | (13) | ||||||||
| 2021–2022 | Granada | 19 | (1) | ||||||||
| 2022– | Atlético Junior | 125 | (51) | ||||||||
| International career | |||||||||||
| 2010–2018 | Colombia | 52 | (16) | ||||||||
Medal record
| |||||||||||
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 15 May 2025 | |||||||||||
Carlos Arturo Bacca Ahumada (born 8 September 1986) is a Colombian professionalfootballer who plays as astriker forCategoría Primera A clubAtlético Junior.
Bacca began his career at Atlético Junior, where he was top scorer in the2010 Categoría Primera AApertura. In January 2012, he moved toClub Brugge, where he was theBelgian Pro League's top scorer inhis only full season before joiningSevilla for €7 million. He won theUEFA Europa League in both of his first two seasons with the club, scoring twice in the2015 final. In the summer of 2015, he joinedSerie A sideAC Milan for €30 million.
An international forColombia from 2012 to 2018, Bacca represented the country at the2014 and2018 FIFA World Cups, the2015 Copa América, and theCopa América Centenario, in which they finished third. He is renowned for his pace, aggression, eye for goal, and determination as a forward.
Bacca was born inPuerto Colombia, a coastal town within theBarranquilla metropolitan area, to Gilberto Bacca and Eloisa Ahumada.[2] Bacca is known to be an extremely religious person of theEvangelical Christian faith,[3][4] frequently thanking God in interviews,[5][6] and despite his denomination it was at one time rumored that he wanted to join Italian clubRoma so that he would be close to the Pope.[7]
Bacca began his professional career withAtlético Junior in 2006, where he did not have many chances to play. While playing football, Bacca had a second job working as a bus driver's assistant, to earn more money since his family came from a poor background.[6][8] On loan atBarranquilla FC in 2007, Bacca made 27 appearances and scored 12 goals. After that, he joined Venezuelan clubMinervén on loan for a season. Bacca led the club into second place in the league, scoring 12 goals in 29 games. In 2008, Bacca rejoined Barranquilla on loan once again and was the league top scorer with 14 goals in 19 games.[citation needed]
Bacca made his professional debut on 1 March 2009 in a 2009 Apertura match againstDeportivo Pasto; with the score at 0-0, Bacca entered the game as a sub and scored two goals in 15 minutes to give his club a 2-0 victory.[8][9] In his first professional season at Junior, Bacca quickly earned himself a regular first team place and was the top scorer in the2009 Copa Colombia. One year later, in 2010, he became the winner and top goalscorer of the Categoría Primera A, repeating in 2011 as winner and top goalscorer givingJunior their sixth and seventh Colombian titles.[citation needed]
Since making a breakthrough at Atlético Junior, Bacca had attracted clubs' interest, mostly from Europe. Many clubs in Europe like Russian sideLokomotiv Moscow[10] andChievo[11] came close to Bacca's signature, but those moves were never completed. Bacca revealed that he nearly joined Lokomotiv, but his hopes of moving to Russia ended after the club instead signed Ecuadorian strikerFelipe Caicedo.[12]
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During the beginning of 2012, Bacca signed for Belgian sideClub Brugge, putting pen to paper on a three-year contract worth €1.5 million for his services.[13][14]
He made his debut on 21 January 2012, coming on as a substitute forLior Refaelov in the 68th minute, as Brugge lost 1–0 againstMechelen. In his first three months at Brugge, Bacca struggled to make a breakthrough in the first team, but in the playoffs, he earned his place in the first team. On 15 April 2012, Bacca scored his first league goal for the club againstGent, which gave Brugge the 1–0 win. Then in the last game of the season, Bacca scored twice, in a 3–2 win overKortrijk, as Brugge finished in second place to earn a European spot.[15]
At the start of the 2012–13 season, Bacca started to play more regularly after the departure ofJoseph Akpala and earned the trust of new managerGeorges Leekens. In January 2013, having scored 18 goals to date, Bacca asked for a transfer after announcing his intention to leave Brugge.[16] This in response to several clubs throughout Europe expressing an interest in Bacca.[17] However, in an unexpected turn of events two weeks later, Bacca signed a new contract that would have kept him at the club until 2016.[18] At the end of the 2012–13 season, Bacca finished as the league's top scorer.[19] This led to him being nominated for thePlayer of the Year in Belgium.[20] Six days later, Bacca won the award in Belgium and wrote on Twitter saying, "Thanks to my family, friends, family and Club Brugge especially throughout Colombia, this award is for you, thanks for your support."[21]
In his Brugge career, he scored 28 goals in 45 league appearances.[15]
On 9 July 2013, Spanish clubSevilla signed Bacca for €7 million on a five-year contract with a €30 million buy-out release clause.[22]
In theCopa EuroAmericana, Bacca scored his first Sevilla goal in a 3–1 win overBarcelona SC on 26 July.[23] He scored his first competitive goal for the club on 1 August in a 3–0 home win overMladost Podgorica for thethird qualifying round of the2013–14 Europa League.[24] HisLa Liga debut came on 18 August in a 1–3 home loss toAtlético Madrid. On 25 September, he scored his first two league goals againstRayo Vallecano in a 4–1 victory.
On 26 March 2014, Bacca netted two goals in a 2–1 Sevilla victory against the then league leadersReal Madrid at theRamón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium.[25] In the second leg of Sevilla'sEuropa League quarter-final tie withPorto on 10 April, he scored his side's third goal in a 4–1 win, securing a 4–2 aggregate victory and a spot in the semi-finals of the competition.[26] Two weeks later, he scored the second goal in their 2–0 semi-final first leg win over compatriotsValencia.[27] Inthe final on 14 May, he scored in the penalty shootout where Sevilla beatBenfica to lift the trophy.[28] Bacca was voted byMarca as the best signing of the 2013–14 La Liga season.[29] AtLaLiga Awards, he was voted the season's best player from the Americas, ahead of Real Madrid'sÁngel Di María andBarcelona'sNeymar.[30]
On 30 September 2014, Bacca signed a contract extension with Sevilla, keeping him at the club until 2018.[31] He scored seven European goals as the clubretained their Europa League crown, including two inthe final for a 3–2 victory overDnipro Dnipropetrovsk, thus qualifying the team to thenext season's Champions League.[32]
On 2 July 2015,Serie A clubAC Milan announced the signing of Bacca after activating his buyout clause of reported €30 million, subject to a medical.[33] He made his debut for Milan in a friendly win over city rivalsInternazionale inShenzhen, China.[34] He made his competitive debut on 17 August in the third round of theCoppa Italia, starting in a 2–0 win overPerugia at theSan Siro.[35] He scored his first goal in Serie A on 29 August 2015 in a 2–1 home win againstEmpoli. He scored his first brace in Serie A on 19 September in a 3–2 home win againstPalermo. On 13 January 2016, he scored arabona-style goal againstCarpi in a 2–1Coppa Italia win, taking Milan to the semi-finals of the tournament,[36] then scored again in the weekend as Milan beatFiorentina 2–0. On 31 January, he scored in theDerby della Madonnina against Inter, helping Milan triumph 3–0, then again three days later in a 2–0 victory at Palermo. On 21 August 2016 he scored his first hat-trick againstTorino in a 3–2 win atSan Siro.[37]
On 16 August 2017,Villarreal confirmed the signing of Bacca on a one-year loan deal for a fee of €2.5 million, with the option to purchase the player for an additional €15.5 million.[38][39] Four days later he made his debut in the first game of the new season, starting in a 1–0 loss atLevante alongside fellow debutantEnes Ünal.[40] He scored his first goal for the Yellow Submarine on 10 September, capitalising on an error byReal Betis goalkeeperAntonio Adán to open a 3–1 win at theEstadio de la Cerámica.[41]
On 17 August 2018, Bacca was sold toVillarreal as part of a transaction forSamu Castillejo.[42] He played there for three more seasons, culminating in his winning the2020-21 UEFA Europa League againstManchester United in thefinal.[43]
On 13 July 2021, Spanish clubGranada signed Bacca as afree agent, becoming their first signing forthe new season.[44][45] He made 19 appearances for the side, scoring once in aCopa del Rey 7–0 win overLaguna on 30 November 2021.[46]
On 12 July 2022, Bacca returned toAtlético Junior on a two-year deal.[47]
Bacca scored his first goal for the senior national team in his debut on 11 August 2010, putting Colombia in front againstBolivia at theEstadio Hernando Siles inLa Paz; the match finished in a 1–1 draw.[48] His next goal for Colombia came over two years later, scoring his side's second of the match in a 3–0 win overCameroon on 17 October 2012.[49]
On 31 May 2014, Bacca scored to put Colombia ahead 2–0 againstSenegal, in a match that finished 2–2.[50] Bacca was selected to the final 23-man roster for Colombia at the2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil less than a week later.[51] Bacca made one appearance in the finals, coming on as a substitute and winning a penalty in Colombia's 1–2 defeat to hostsBrazil in the quarter-finals.[52]
In a friendly match againstEl Salvador at theRed Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey on 10 October 2014, Bacca scored twice as Colombia won 3–0.[53]
In May 2015, Bacca was included in Colombia's 23-man squad for the2015 Copa América by coachJosé Pékerman.[54] After the team's second match, a 1–0 win againstBrazil inSantiago on 17 June, Bacca wasred carded after the final whistle for pushing over Brazilian striker Neymar, who himself was earlier sent off for deliberately kicking the ball atPablo Armero.[55] Bacca was given a two-match ban, while Neymar was suspended for four matches.[56]
On 25 June 2016, Bacca scored Colombia's match-winning goal against hosts theUnited States in a 1–0 win in the third-place match of theCopa América Centenario.[57]
In May 2018, he was named in Colombia's 23-mansquad for the2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.[58] At the finals, he had his penalty saved byJordan Pickford in the penalty shootout as Colombia went out at the Round of 16 stage toEngland.[59][60]
A quick, powerful, skilful, and determined striker, with good movement, concentration, and an eye for goal, Bacca is renowned for his pace, strength, aggression, and striking accuracy as aforward, as well as his solid first touch.[61][62][63][64][65] A prolific goalscorer, he is known for his composure in front of goal,[66] as well as his speed, technique, anddribbling skills, which allow him to beat opponents or create space for himself in the area;[61][64][65][67] he is also known for his use of tricks andfeints, such as therabona, which has seen him score some spectacular goals.[64][66][36][68][69] He is also effective in the air, and can finish well with his head as well as his feet.[61][65]
During his time under managerUnai Emery at Sevilla, Bacca modified his playing style, improving his mentality, work-rate, and the defensive aspect of his game; he was also often deployed in deeper areas of the pitch, which allowed him to drop into midfield to be more involved in the buildup of plays and linkup with his teammates. This new role also gave him more opportunities to find spaces from deeper positions, lose his markers, and make attacking runs into the area, which enabled to maintain his consistent goalscoring record, despite being played further back from goal.[61][66][70]
With Milan, however, Bacca at times had a difficult relationship with his managerVincenzo Montella playing in a more advanced and offensive role as acentre-forward, due to his low defensive and creative contribution, as well as his limited movement off the ball outside the box. Although Bacca was praised in the media for his goalscoring record, ability to make attacking runs, and his ratio of goals per minutes played at the club, often requiring few touches and chances to score, he was also criticised for the overall quality of some of his performances, in spite of his goalscoring and finishing ability. Frequent criticisms of Bacca included his tendency to mainly operate in the centre of the penalty area, not contribute to the build-up of attacking moves, and not attempt to create chances for himself; this, in turn, led him to be isolated from his team's overall play when Milan struggled to create chances.[62][63][64][66][71][72][73][74][75][76][77][78][79][80] Bacca's positional sense, goalscoring ability, opportunism in the area, and tendency to play off the last defender and receive offside calls, as well as his limited work-rate off the ball, drew comparisons with former Milan strikerFilippo Inzaghi.[61][63][64][65][66][79]
| Club | Season | League | National cup[a] | Continental | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Barranquilla (loan) | 2006 | Primera B | 27 | 12 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 27 | 12 | ||
| Minervén (loan) | 2007 | Venezuelan Segunda División | 29 | 12 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 29 | 12 | ||
| Barranquilla (loan) | 2008 | Primera B | 19 | 14 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 19 | 14 | ||
| Junior | 2009 | Primera A | 29 | 12 | 12 | 11 | — | — | 41 | 23 | ||
| 2010 | 32 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 2[b] | 0 | — | 34 | 18 | |||
| 2011 | 36 | 20 | 11 | 8 | 8[b] | 4 | — | 55 | 32 | |||
| Total | 97 | 50 | 23 | 19 | 10 | 4 | — | 130 | 73 | |||
| Club Brugge | 2011–12 | Belgian Pro League | 10 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 10 | 3 | |
| 2012–13 | 35 | 25 | 2 | 0 | 7[c] | 3 | — | 44 | 28 | |||
| Total | 45 | 28 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 3 | — | 54 | 31 | |||
| Sevilla | 2013–14 | La Liga | 35 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 16[c] | 7 | — | 52 | 21 | |
| 2014–15 | 37 | 20 | 3 | 1 | 15[c] | 7 | 1[d] | 0 | 56 | 28 | ||
| Total | 72 | 34 | 4 | 1 | 31 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 108 | 49 | ||
| AC Milan | 2015–16 | Serie A | 38 | 18 | 5 | 2 | — | — | 43 | 20 | ||
| 2016–17 | 32 | 13 | 1 | 1 | — | 1[e] | 0 | 34 | 14 | |||
| Total | 70 | 31 | 6 | 3 | — | 1 | 0 | 77 | 34 | |||
| Villarreal (loan) | 2017–18 | La Liga | 35 | 15 | 3 | 1 | 6[c] | 2 | — | 44 | 18 | |
| Villarreal | 2018–19 | 33 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 7[c] | 2 | — | 43 | 11 | ||
| 2019–20 | 19 | 2 | 4 | 3 | — | — | 23 | 5 | ||||
| 2020–21 | 23 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 9[c] | 3 | — | 35 | 9 | |||
| Total | 110 | 28 | 13 | 8 | 22 | 7 | — | 145 | 43 | |||
| Granada | 2021–22 | La Liga | 17 | 0 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 19 | 1 | ||
| Junior | 2022 | Primera A | 20 | 9 | 6 | 0 | — | — | 26 | 9 | ||
| 2023 | 45 | 19 | 2 | 2 | 1[f] | 0 | — | 48 | 21 | |||
| 2024 | 29 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 8[b] | 4 | 2[g] | 1 | 40 | 20 | ||
| Total | 94 | 43 | 9 | 2 | 9 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 114 | 50 | ||
| Career total | 580 | 251 | 59 | 34 | 79 | 32 | 4 | 1 | 722 | 318 | ||
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colombia | 2010 | 1 | 1 |
| 2011 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2012 | 1 | 1 | |
| 2013 | 6 | 0 | |
| 2014 | 7 | 4 | |
| 2015 | 10 | 2 | |
| 2016 | 13 | 5 | |
| 2017 | 5 | 1 | |
| 2018 | 9 | 2 | |
| Total | 52 | 16 | |
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 11 August 2010 | Estadio Hernando Siles,La Paz, Bolivia |  Bolivia | 1–0 | 1–1 | Friendly |
| 2 | 17 October 2012 | Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez,Barranquilla, Colombia |  Cameroon | 2–0 | 3–0 | Friendly |
| 3 | 31 May 2014 | Estadio Pedro Bidegain,Buenos Aires, Argentina |  Senegal | 2–0 | 2–2 | Friendly |
| 4 | 10 October 2014 | Red Bull Arena,Harrison, United States |  El Salvador | 2–0 | 3–0 | Friendly |
| 5 | 3–0 | |||||
| 6 | 14 November 2014 | Craven Cottage,London, England |  United States | 1–1 | 2–1 | Friendly |
| 7 | 26 March 2015 | Bahrain National Stadium,Riffa, Bahrain |  Bahrain | 1–0 | 6–0 | Friendly |
| 8 | 8 September 2015 | Red Bull Arena, Harrison, United States |  Peru | 1–0 | 1–1 | Friendly |
| 9 | 24 March 2016 | Estadio Hernando Siles, La Paz, Bolivia | Bolivia | 2–0 | 3–2 | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 10 | 29 March 2016 | Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez, Barranquilla, Colombia |  Ecuador | 1–0 | 3–1 | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 11 | 3–0 | |||||
| 12 | 7 June 2016 | Rose Bowl,Pasadena, United States |  Paraguay | 1–0 | 2–1 | Copa América Centenario |
| 13 | 25 June 2016 | University of Phoenix Stadium,Glendale, United States | United States | 1–0 | 1–0 | Copa América Centenario |
| 14 | 14 November 2017 | Chongqing Olympic Sports Center,Chongqing, China |  China | 2–0 | 4–0 | Friendly |
| 15 | 11 October 2018 | Raymond James Stadium,Tampa, United States | United States | 2–2 | 4–2 | Friendly |
| 16 | 16 October 2018 | Red Bull Arena, Harrison, United States |  Costa Rica | 1–0 | 3–1 | Friendly |
Atlético Junior
Sevilla
AC Milan
Villarreal
Colombia
Individual
| Sporting positions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Atlético Junior captain 2023- | Succeeded by Incumbent |
Colombia squads | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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