James Rodríguez has not been part of the Colombian National Team since November 2020, when the two defeats against Uruguay (3-0) and Ecuador (6-1) precipitated the departure of Carlos Queiroz from the technical direction and paved the way for Reinaldo’s return Wheel.
The left-hander never quite adjusted to the model that the Portuguese intended and with Rueda the relationship did not improve: in his first call for the Qualifiers, last June, he excluded him and did not take him into account for the Copa América, which motivated a harsh reaction from the player, who claimed to feel disrespected.
But lately the player has been taking steps towards a possible return, which for many, like the World Cup player Teófilo Gutiérrez, is a necessity.
“You have to bring him closer, you have to invite him to the country, embrace him. He feels love for the shirt, he is one of those who has to carry the flag, there are many but he is one. He was a World Cup scorer but now we are pushing him away and we have to bring him closer, it is up to us, why do we move him away? He is one more actor in this film of the National Team, we are all the national team and we are moving him away, “lamented the forward in a live with Jorge Abello, Iván Marín and Yamid Amat Jr.
“With the national team he gives himself to the fullest. When he is on the pitch we criticize him but now we cannot take him away, when he is not we miss him Suddenly he is not well, he has people around … we have to pamper him, the Argentines and the Brazilians do it. with theirs and we don’t. We need him for the Qualifiers and for the World Cup, “he added.
For Teo, there is no reason to despise talented players, you have to find a way to get the best out of them: “James is different and at some point they do something else, a free kick, a penalty .. He proved it. At the World Cup, surrounded by us, we played as a team, he understood it. There, no one was more than anyone else, we told each other things with personality, no egos, everyone on their way, no one saw if you played anywhere, we were all the same, we have to do it again, now we are not enjoying it, I say it as a fan, with respect “.
The attacker, whom they have proposed to return to the national team, concluded: “Colombia needs good players, we have to call him and tell him how they are. He has to be strong, he never gave anything away, he earned everything. , no one can get into his private life. In a national team he has to perform, he knows it. We have to build that team of harmony and happiness, we have to invite people to put on the shirt, that has to be the message for what is coming “.
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