Lorenzo: “We want to put Colombia back on top”

The renewal of players in the Colombian National Team is one of the issues that has been around for several months when Néstor Lorenzo was officially introduced to replace Reinaldo Rueda. The Argentine is clear about his idea to mix new players with experienced ones in the national team and has already approached names like Jorge Carrascal, Yáser Asprilla and Jhon Arias.

The technical director spoke about this situation on ESPN and stressed that “I want the renewal to occur in a constant and natural way. The player who stands out a Selection fee is purchased. The adaptation of a player is easier if he has experienced players by his side ”.

In addition, he remembered that this has always been his motto and now he is not going to change it. On the contrary, he will reinforce it in Colombia: “I always preached that, and I was criticized. I believe that big players are very important because the national team needs experienced players that they mark the path and the youngster has to enter a context in which he is not responsible, but in which he contributes his own”, he assured.

“Return to Colombia to the top”

Néstor Lorenzo asserted that what he wants is to form a group that go out and fight on all courts and re-classify the Colombian National Team to a Senior World Cup. The South American Qualifiers for 2026 will start next March, so there are several months to continue with the previous work.

“The idea is to form a strong, united group that does not settle, that competes for a high recovery of the ball. Generate the attitude and conviction that we are not less than anyone. We want to put Colombia back on top”, added the Argentine.

The coach was asked about the role that the Colombian National Team could have played in this Qatar 2022 World Cup, taking into account the early eliminations of Peru -in the play-off against Australia-, and of Uruguay and Ecuador -in the group stage-. Lorenzo believes that the Tricolor could have put up a fight in the tournament. “Without a doubt, but we have to see reality. We are facing the next Qualifiers”he pointed out.

Praise for Lionel Messi

Néstor Lorenzo highlighted the personal growth of the attacker of the Argentine National Team and that is being evidenced in the Qatar 2022 World Cup, where the albiceleste is installed in the semifinals of the championship with the 10 being the great figure. They are hoping to win their first Cup, but first they will need to beat Croatia.

“I am not close to this Messi. Lionel has achieved an undoubted maturity, which makes him play with a poise and a calmness that was not expected before. Today, even a simple touch is important because it does what it has to do. He has matured a lot, as a player and as a person. Knowing him, one was very hurt by the criticism they made of him, “said Lorenzo.