Colombian referee Wilmar Roldan made history last week in the match between Estudiantes de La Plata from Argentina and Nacional from Uruguay, which was his 100th Copa Libertadores match. A record not only for the Colombian refereeing, but also for South America, by becoming the first referee to reach this historical figure in the most important club competition on the continent. One more achievement in Roldan's refereeing career, which continues with the same enthusiasm as when he was appointed for his first game in Libertadores, in 2008, between Atletico Maracaibo and Atlas de Mexico. At 42 years old, the experienced referee born in Remedios, Antioquia, dreams of being able to referee his fourth Copa Libertadores final. Wilmar considers that he currently is in one of his best stages in refereeing, with greater maturity and that over the years he has managed to win the respect of the players. In the immigration zone of the El Dorado airport in Bogota, while waiting to board his flight to the south of the continent, Roldan took time to speak with El Pais and remember his time in Copa Libertadores, a competition that Wilmar describes as "the best of all".
- What does it mean for you to reach 100 matches refereed in Copa Libertadores?
- It is a very great joy; something very immeasurable. I am a ‘fan’ of Copa Libertadores, I have a special affection for it and I would say a great love for this competition. It has a great mystique and all of us who have ever been on a field know that it is something that attracts everyone.
- What do you remember of that first game you refereed in Copa Libertadores?
- It was a very special match. As well as full of satisfaction reaching 100 games, the debut also marked me a lot. It was exciting for me, as a referee, to be in a competition that I have followed since I was a child, the Libertadores. I had always wanted to be in a Copa match.
- In those Libertadores games that you followed, was there a reference in refereeing?
- It was the time of the end of the 90s when I watched those exciting Copa games, where there were also big Colombian teams and I was very impressed by the Argentine referee Javier Castrilli, a controversial man, but whom I admired, and I wanted to emulate many things he did on the pitch.
- Why do you think that Copa Libertadores is different from other competitions?
- I tell you that I have had the opportunity to referee matches on all continents and in many competitions, but Copa has a special magic. I make the parallel and say that the players enter the field as if it were the Roman Coliseum, it is to enter an arena and leave everything there. It is eternal glory, as its slogan says.
- Do you remember any match in particular?
- There are many games in the Copa, but the ones I remember the most are undoubtedly the three finals that I have refereed. In the first final, in 2012, between Corinthians and Boca Juniors, I realized the magnitude of the Libertadores. I have an anecdote about that game, because on the way to the stadium in Sao Paulo we had to go about seven blocks. Inside the stadium were 40,000 fans, but outside there were about 2 million people!
- During this time as an international referee and especially in the Copa, did you experience a moment when you felt fear?
- No, never. Fortunately, we have always had the security guaranteed to carry out our work. I remember that before, when fireworks were allowed, the atmosphere in big stadiums in many countries was like being in the mouth of a volcano.
- In which country have you refereed more games in the Libertadores?
- I refereed most matches in Brazil and Argentina. These have been the countries where I have had the most opportunity to referee Copa games.
- And destiny wanted your 100th match to be exactly on Argentine soil...
- That's how it is. These are countries where there are confrontations that require experience, excellence and many other things. I am grateful to the CONMEBOL Referees Committee, that throughout all this time have considered me for these designations.
- What is particular about the Libertadores is that you can referee one week at sea level and the following week in cities at high altitude...
- I have had matches in both situations. I remember that I refereed a match in the highest place where you can play a football game, which is in PotosÃ, Bolivia, at almost 4000 meters. That is the advantage of refereeing in Colombia, that one day you are in Barranquilla and then in Bogota or Pasto.
- When you refereed in Potosà did you need artificial oxygen, as it happened with many players?
- No, nothing. Footballers have everything at their disposal; we, the referees, only the soul.
- How many assistants have shared the team with you in these years in the Copa?
- A lot of them, everyone who has been a FIFA assistant referee since the time I started my international career. Great companions and colleagues. A beautiful moment for me was when my brother Miguel assisted me for the first time in Copa; that was in 2020, in a match between Tigres and Palmeiras.
- Was it different to referee Libertadores games without an audience due to Covid-19?
- Of course. Colour, party, folklore were missing. When you're on the field, you feel that atmosphere.
- How do you see the use of VAR in Copa?
- I think that over time the referees have been adapting better, since there are many federations that have been implementing the use of technology. Before, they came to the matches unaware.
- Did you have any special events for your 100th match?
- Before each game, I always watch three movies: 'The Gladiator', 'Troy' and '300'. Whenever I go to a Libertadores match, I put a '300' gif on my WhatsApp status, accompanied by some phrase. I feel like I'm a fighter entering the court.
- Do you think that you are King Leonidas of refereeing?
- Of course. It's like going to fight the immortals and something from every great match I see in some of those movies, but especially '300'.
- Do you feel that you always earned the respect of the players?
- Yes, of course. Respect is not imposed; it is earned. I am a person who wants to do things well and the players see that I prepare well and believe in my work. The respect is mutual.
- Do you remember names of important players whom you have refereed in Libertadores?
- Phew! Many great players. Juan Roman Riquelme, Ronaldinho, Diego Forlan, Alexis Sanchez, Roque Santacruz, among many others.
- Do you remember any card shown that has been engraved in your mind?
- I have the record of awarding the fastest yellow card in the Copa Libertadores history. It was after 4 seconds in a match between Union Espanola and The Strongest, a caution for the Bolivian Pablo Escobar for using his elbow on a rival player.
- Do you talk to your family before each game to motivate yourself?
- Yes, I talk with my wife Lorena and my daughter Mariana, and we sang a song that is special in the Copa that says: 'Give joy, joy to my heart. Copa Libertadores is my obsession." They are always my best support.
- At your age, will you continue for a while in the Libertadores?
- For the motivation, I would like to die in Copa Libertadores. Due to my age, there is little time left; I have to enjoy and continue doing a good job. I always leave my mark and my style when I go to referee.
- Would you like to close this special season with another Copa final?
- I'm going to fight for it; reaching a Copa final is not easy for the teams or for the referees; it is conquered with good performances.
- And why a referee with your experience is not on his way to the World Cup in Qatar?
- There are things that have no explanation. This is a topic that I would prefer not to talk about.
Source: El Pais