A new loss for the Colombian National Team. Reinaldo Rueda will not be able to count on the midfielder James Rodríguez for the South American Qualifiers for the Qatar 2022 World Cup or the 2021 Copa América. The Everton player is not 100% and after undergoing medical examinations the decision was made to leave him out of the games against Peru and Argentina and the international contest.
“The coaching staff of the Colombian Senior Men’s National Team reports that player James Rodríguez has been called off for the games against Peru and Argentina for the qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, and the CONMEBOL Copa América 2021 “, reported the FCF in its official media
“In recent days, the steering wheel was subjected to medical examinations, which determined that it is not at the optimal level of competenceTherefore, he will not be able to join the group called by Reinaldo Rueda for the aforementioned commitments and the South American championship, “he added.
This will be the second loss that Reinaldo Rueda will have for his debut with the national team. Previously, the FCF had announced that of Juan Fernando Quintero of Shenzhen FC, who was unable to travel to the country due to the biosafety protocols established in China. The coaching staff announced Edwin Cardona from Boca Juniors as one of the new members of the call.
In the current Qualifiers, James Rodríguez has played 344 minutes in 4 games. The ’10’ also adds a goal so far, in the 6-1 defeat against Ecuador in the last game of Carlos Querioz’s cycle.
Nine injuries in one season
James Rodríguez stood out in his first year with Everton in the Premier League despite being absent repeatedly due to muscle discomfort. The player had nine injuries throughout the season, which made him lose 18 Premier League games, the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup. Even Carlo Ancelotti assured that the player was not going to be in the match against Manchester City to prepare for the America’s Cup., but it was not enough to reach 100%.
In his first year in England, the cucuteño played 26 games in all competitions, he scored six goals and had eight assists.
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The Colombian National Team already works with the majority of the squad at the Sports Headquarters of the Colombian Football Federation in Barranquilla. The first challenge of the national team will be next Thursday, June 3, when they face the Peruvian National Team at the Monumental Stadium in Lima. Five days later, they will face Argentina at the Roberto Meléndez Metropolitan Stadium.
