Jonathan Rubio He is going through one of the best moments of his career at Petro Atlético de Angola, where he adds goals, assists, a Super Cup title and participation in the Champions League africana.
His consolidation in one of the biggest clubs on the continent has strengthened his confidence and performance, something he attributes to personal stability and his complete adaptation to African football.
In this interview with DIEZ, the Honduran frankly analyzed the elimination of Honduras towards the World Cup 2026his surprise at not having been considered in the process.
Rubio reflected on the mistakes of the tie, the contempt for the African league and what happened to his teammate, offering a direct and critical look at the reality of the National Team.
Remembering that Jonathan Rubio revealed to DIEZ who after a conversation with his compatriot Bryan Róchez informed him that he never received messages from coach Reinaldo Rueda even though the strategist commented that he never received responses from the attacker.
THE INTERVIEW
You continue to stand out in football in Angola. Your numbers increase with more goals and assists. How have you changed compared to the previous season?
“I thank God for health, which is the most important thing for any person. I am happy for these first six months of my third season in Angola, more adapted to African football and the club. I have always said that I am in the best team in Angola and one of the best in Africa. I am happy, my family is well and that is reflected on the field. This year we entered the Champions League, we won the Super Cup, we are leaders of the group and also on the table. Thank God we continue fighting for all the objectives.
When does your contract with Petro Atlético end? Did you renew it?
“I signed for two years at the beginning and last year I renewed for two more. My contract ends in mid-2027. I feel happy and content. Angola is a fantastic country and the club is big, serious and very professional.”
At 29 years old, how much longer do you see yourself in Angola? Would you like to retire in Europe or are you already fully adapted to African football?
“I hope I have a long time to go before I retire. I don’t know where it will be, because football is unpredictable. My plan for now is to fulfill the contract and then see if I return to Europe, continue in Africa or something different arises. Today one is in Angola, tomorrow I could be in the United States, Portugal and Honduras. Football has changed a lot, so I prefer to go year by year.”
Speaking of the transfer market, have you received offers from Honduras or Europe?
“No. Normally in the summer, which is the market in Portugal, I have had more options because I spent a large part of my career there. But on this occasion there were only approaches, nothing concrete. It is also complicated for clubs when a player has a contract”
Have Honduran footballers written to you to ask about playing in Angola? Can you name three names you would recommend for African football?
“Several Hondurans have already passed through Angola. Moya was there and Róchez was there last year. It is difficult to mention just three because in Honduras there are many quality players. The jump from Honduras to Europe is difficult and Africa even more so because of the distance. But I wish that more Hondurans go abroad; that is good for the National Team and for themselves. From Angola no one has written to me asking about coming. Yes, they have written to me for Portugal, but not for Africa.
HONDURAS SELECTION
With the level you were showing, do you think you deserved a chance in the national team during the World Cup qualifiers?
Honestly, it did seem strange to me not to receive any call, not even for a microcycle or friendly. I never spoke with Professor Rueda or anyone from the Honduras Football Federation. Since my last call with Coito and then with “Bolillo”, I had no more contact. I think the African league is also undervalued due to lack of knowledge, because it is a very competitive league.
Why do you think you were not taken into account?
I think they can see the Angolan league as inferior to others. Don’t know. It’s strange because players like Bryan Róchez were called up while at Petro Atlético. I don’t understand what happened. I respect the decisions, but it was strange.
Did you expect to be part of any Reinaldo Rueda list in the Qualifiers?
For the qualifying round I knew it would be difficult because I was never taken into account even for friendlies. I had experience in a qualifying round, at least they could have seen me. With no contact, I knew it would be almost impossible.
What do you think of the “Machuca” Ramírez case, called up without previous experience in the Honduras National Team?
They are the coaches’ decisions and they must be respected. Some decisions are not understood, but he tried to get his squad right. Unfortunately it was a total failure for all of Honduran football. It’s sad because we had a great chance to qualify.
Do you think one of the mistakes was the lack of a creative in the selection?
I believe that the failure is not in a single area of the field, but in all of them. For failure to exist, many things must be done wrong. In the end the consequences were paid.
Did you see the Honduras vs Costa Rica match?
No, I was asleep. It was very late and the next day I had a match or training session with Petro Atlético de Angola.
How did you react when you found out the result?
I thought Honduras was going to qualify because of how they reached the last two games. I was surprised by the results against Nicaragua and Costa Rica. We were one goal away from the World Cup. It was sad to see the National Team like this.
Do you think United’s World Cup qualification was lost to Nicaragua?
A large part yes. Nicaragua no longer had anything at stake and Honduras was able to get a better result. That match changed everything for the Honduran National Team.
As someone who knows Honduras, Europe and Africa, what kind of coach should Honduras have?
I can’t talk about nationalities. The important thing is that he is a coach who lives in Honduras, who knows our football, the minor leagues, the Major League, the Second Division. Watch games, talk to players and be 100% committed. There have been three qualifying rounds with failures and that means that many things have been done wrong.
Should Honduras bet more on legionnaires than on National League players?
The best should be called up, no matter where they play. There are good players in Honduras, in Europe, in Africa. The important thing is to know all the available footballers and give them the opportunity. If he has a level, he deserves to be called up, regardless of the league.
The Football Federation’s first signing is a sports director.
Well, it’s an interesting point. Obviously we have to see which sports director it would be. I repeat, you also have to know our football, our players, our culture, because that is extremely important in a position like this. And obviously let him work, which would also be very important. But hey, he must be a football person, he must really know football, he must be a football man, because that is what matters. So well, let’s hope that if that is true, that a person can arrive who really has the ability to choose, to be able to work and above all to make Honduran soccer grow, which has really experienced very complicated moments in recent years.
Are the doors still open for the Honduras National Team?
Yes, I have never closed the doors to the selection, I have said it. With more experience, I now look at things from a different point of view. I know that the most important thing for a player is the club, where one lives. And well, the selection, if the opportunity arises, is welcome. And if not, nothing happens. We always continue to support the team from a distance. And well, the love for Honduras will never change. I believe that it is our country and we have to always support our homeland.
What final message would you give to those fans, Jona, who are a little down about the issue of Honduras being eliminated?
That feeling of discouragement and sadness is normal, right? Because it hurts to be left out of the World Cup, also to see what has happened in the National League lately. I follow the National League very closely and what has happened now with some clubs is difficult. Of course, all this generates discouragement. But hey, from a distance I just always want to be grateful for the support I receive from people, that love, the people who pass by. Wish you a Merry Christmas, may God bless you, wish you a prosperous 2026.
