The meetings, scheduled for the Saturday 24 and Tuesday 27 September, respectively, they will mark the beginning of the road to the 2026 World Cup, to which 7 of the 10 South American teams will be able to go, and also for the fight for a Copa América title.
However, Néstor Lorenzo has other tasks, such as the generational renovation of the payroll, defining a Disciplinary regime, ensure respect for the shirt, recover offensive power, among others.
In this sense, he emerges as the main protagonist. James Rodriguez, summoned despite his weak level, separated some time ago for not complying with the rules of behavior, pointed out enmities inside the national dressing room and a man with whom Colombia has not done well when they have had him on the field.
Consequently, this will be a new opportunity for Cucuteño to show that he wants to stay and for the coaching staff to assess whether it is necessary and healthy to continue counting on him, since he has 31 years old and in case of going to a new World Cup, it would be in the final part of his career.
In fact, even the also player Juan Guillermo Cuadrado sent him a hard indirectzo before the match against Guatemala, when he pointed out in full concentration that “Referents should not be given anything for free, they should work to earn a position here”.
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In the last 10 games of the “coffee” squad with the midfielder from Cucuta, the balance is 11 points achieved out of 30 possible, for a 37% yield.
Colombia’s last 10 games with James:
● 5 losses: before Argentina, Peru, Brazil, Ecuador and Uruguay.
● 3 wins: 2 against Venezuela and one against Bolivia.
● 2 draws: with Paraguay and Chile.
● Goals for: 6
● Goals against: 14
● James goals: 2 (both penalties)
Results:
● Venezuela 0-1 Colombia (2022)
● Colombia 3-0 Bolivia (2022)
● Argentina 1-0 Colombia (2022)
● Colombia 0-1 Peru (2022)
● Colombia 0-0 Paraguay (2021)
● Brazil 1-0 Colombia (2021)
● Ecuador 6-1 Colombia (2020)
● Colombia 0-3 Uruguay (2020)
● Gum 2-2 Colombia (2020)
● Colombia 3-0 Venezuela (2020)
On video, James in the training of the Colombian National Team:
