Chelsea’s Moisés Caicedo just pulled off a move so filthy it almost ended the Bayer Leverkusen defender’s career
LONDON, August 8, 2025 – In a electrifying display of skill and audacity, Chelsea’s midfield dynamo Moisés Caicedo left fans and pundits alike in awe during a preseason friendly against Bayer Leverkusen at Stamford Bridge. The Ecuadorian star, fresh off his Club World Cup triumph, executed a move so sublime that it nearly sent Leverkusen’s defender Piero Hincapié into early retirement, metaphorically speaking. The moment, already dubbed “The Caicedo Shimmy” by social media, has set the football world alight as Chelsea gears up for the 2025/26 Premier League season.
The friendly, part of the VisitMalta Weekender, saw Chelsea face a well-drilled Bayer Leverkusen side under the guidance of new manager Erik ten Hag. With both teams fine-tuning their squads ahead of their respective league campaigns, the match promised a competitive edge, amplified by the presence of two Ecuadorian stars: Caicedo for Chelsea and Hincapié for Leverkusen. However, it was Caicedo who stole the show in the 32nd minute with a piece of individual brilliance that will be replayed for years to come.
As Leverkusen pressed high, Hincapié, a fellow Ecuadorian and long-time friend from their Independiente del Valle days, stepped up to close down Caicedo just outside the penalty area. What followed was a masterclass in ball control and deception. Caicedo, receiving a pass under pressure, feinted left, dragging Hincapié out of position with a lightning-quick shoulder drop. In a split second, he nutmegged the defender with a cheeky flick, spun 180 degrees, and accelerated past a bewildered Hincapié, leaving him rooted to the spot. The Stamford Bridge crowd erupted as Caicedo threaded a pinpoint pass to Cole Palmer, who nearly converted the chance into a goal.
Social media exploded with clips of the move, with fans calling it “career-ending” for Hincapié, though the Leverkusen defender took it in stride, later laughing it off in a post-match interview. “Moi is my brother, but he got me good there,” Hincapié said with a grin. “I’ll get him back in training with La Tri!” The moment underscored the camaraderie between the two, who have been pillars of Ecuador’s national team, already qualified for the 2026 World Cup.
Caicedo’s performance was a continuation of his stellar form under Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, who has transformed the 23-year-old into a disciplined yet dynamic force in the midfield. Since his £115 million move from Brighton in 2023, Caicedo has silenced doubters, earning Chelsea’s Player of the Year award last season and proving his worth as a complete midfielder. His ability to evade pressure, as demonstrated against Hincapié, aligns with his 82.3% pass completion rate under pressure this season, a stat that ranks him among the Premier League’s elite, according to Opta Analyst.
The match ended in a 1-1 draw, with Chelsea’s Pedro Neto scoring a late equalizer after Leverkusen’s early lead. However, the result was secondary to Caicedo’s viral moment, which has already amassed millions of views online. Pundits hailed his growth, with Claude Makélélé, a Chelsea legend, praising his “humility and work rate” in a recent interview. “Moi plays with a smile, but he’s a warrior,” Makélélé noted, a sentiment echoed by fans chanting his name long after the final whistle.
As Chelsea prepares for their Premier League opener against Crystal Palace on August 17, Caicedo’s audacious move serves as a warning to rivals: the “Niño Moi” is ready to dominate. Meanwhile, Hincapié and Leverkusen head to their DFB-Pokal clash against Grobaspach, with the defender likely plotting playful revenge on his national teammate. For now, Caicedo’s filthy move remains the talk of the footballing world, a reminder of why he’s one of the game’s brightest stars.
