Colombian National Team Players: James Rodríguez, Cuadrado and David Ospina meet with Reinaldo Rueda | Colombia selection

The Colombian National Team hopes to have the full group this Saturday in Sao Paulo, to prepare for the match against Brazil for the South American Qualifiers to Qatar 2022, on Thursday, November 11. However, before lining up his team for Wednesday’s practice, Reinaldo Rueda will have to dedicate a few minutes to a crucial meeting, to unite the national team much more and iron out the rough edges of the past.

Sao Paulo will host the summit between the leaders of the National Team and the national coach. On November 17, 2020, something fractured in the Tricolor: Colombia lost 6-1 against Ecuador in Quito and there were differences, which almost a year later continue to deny, but which secret witnesses continue to confirm.

That was Carlos Queiroz’s last game with Colombia, leaving him in a deep crisis of results, but especially of group coexistence.

The differences became much more telling when Reinaldo arrived, because he did not call James Rodríguez at the start of his cycle, claiming that the ’10’ was not at 500% of his performance, health and mental state to face the Qualifiers … now that He summoned him, it does not seem that Rodríguez is in such a high percentage, but the conditions force a clean slate.

The technical decision erupted into a scandal with strong statements from James Rodríguez, and a declared contravention of the technical decision. “They disrespected me,” said James in a ‘live’ on Instagram, statements that did not go down well within the National Team.

During the America’s Cup, Juan Guillermo Cuadrado also spoke: “When we are united, I think we are stronger. And if someone leaves the teacher’s approach, it will be more difficult; But when we are united, we can be stronger. Nobody is stronger than the team ”.

Cuadrado’s words were related as a direct message to James, however, the same player denied those intentions and sent a greeting to Rodríguez as a companion.

The Copa América passed and the Qualifiers continued. The National Team has remained undefeated, but it lacks a touch in its game that, being at a good level, James can contribute.

The time has come: the leaders of the Colombia National Team will have to look each other in the eye and say things head-on and how you feel them, in order to finally be able to correct any failure in the group deal, strengthen the group and unite it to reach Qatar 2022.

Reinaldo’s task will be to mediate, listen and motivate James, Cuadrado and Ospina, accompanied by the rest of the players, to take Colombia to their seventh World Cup.