Bogotá, September 18 (Udaipur Kiran) : Colombia’s national football team has unveiled a new squad ahead of friendly matches against Mexico, Paraguay, and Peru, set to take place in the United States. Among the 26 players named, 11 are uncapped, including Birmingham City’s midfielder John Solis and Zenit St. Petersburg’s defender Kevin Andrade.
Other new faces in the squad include goalkeeper Aldair Quintana, defenders Roger Caicedo, midfielder Daniel Arcila, and forward Camilo Duran. Manager Nestor Lorenzo also included two players from local club Atletico Nacional: left-back Samuel Velasquez and midfielder Juan Manuel Rengifo.
Lorenzo emphasized the competitive nature of team selection, stating, “No one is always in the team, nor are they always out. Whether young or old, everyone involved in this process knows they have to compete, and anyone can come in or go out of the team.”
Notably absent from the squad are Bayern Munich winger Luis Diaz and former captain James Rodriguez, who recently announced his retirement from international football. Lorenzo explained that Diaz’s omission was mutually agreed upon to allow him time to rest, which also provides an opportunity to test younger talents ahead of the South American qualifiers for the 2030 World Cup.
The Cafeteros will face Mexico in Baltimore on September 26, Paraguay in New Jersey on October 2, and Peru in Miami on October 6. This marks the team’s first match since their exit from the World Cup in July, where they lost to Switzerland in a penalty shootout during the Round of 16.
Lorenzo paid tribute to Rodriguez, who holds the record for most international appearances for Colombia with 131 caps and is the second-highest goalscorer for the national team with 31 goals. “I did not interfere in his decision to retire. I listened to him and respected it. Since the match against Switzerland, I knew, and I respected his choice regarding how and when to announce it. James has given a lot to the national team. We should thank him for everything he has done for us,” Lorenzo stated.
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