At the press conference this Sunday, the national coach referred to what the decision to leave James out of the call and spoke of the harsh response that the ’10’ published on his social networks.
“I told him that I made the decision to deactivate him. I prefer to sacrifice him now with all that it means and not rush him so as not to have his full potential. There is no mystery. It is to protect him and get him out of the vicious circle of so many injuries”, Reinaldo pointed out.
Rueda reflected on what happened with Rodríguez arguing that “we cannot harm James or the National Team. The Tricolor requires the James we fell in love with. We need James, but when he is 500%.”
Reinaldo will debut next Tuesday on the national bench when Colombia visits Peru in Lima. “It is normal. It is the pain of a moment. I told James that in a few months we will talk and see how he feels,” said the experienced coach.
Read also: Crisis in the Colombian National Team.
After the duel with the Peruvians, the Tricolor will receive Argentina on June 8 in Barranquilla, with the need to add the most points due to the bad situation that Colombia has in the standings where it is seventh with 4 units.
“Everyone is competing with high intensity and they have not complained or expressed any discomfort,” explained Rueda about what these days of work with the group have been like in the Atlantic capital.
Facing the Copa América and where each team will be able to register up to 28 players, Reinaldo assured that “I am in the time to decide two more names to add them to the call.”
Read also: Strong statements by James Rodríguez after being called off from the Colombian National Team
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