Durán’s selection marks a breakthrough for an attacker who spent his formative years in Colombia’s youth system—including stints in the minor divisions of Independiente Medellín and a brief spell at Patriotas under coach José ‘Cheché’ Hernández—before taking his career abroad in 2022, according to reporting from Noticias Caracol.
A Long-Awaited Breakthrough from Santa Marta
Community Raffles and Early Sacrifices
Reflecting on the player’s journey, Euclides ‘Quile’ Orejarena, Durán’s childhood mentor and godfather, described the selection as the culmination of extensive perseverance. “For Camilo it is a dream realized,” Orejarena told Noticias Caracol, recalling how family and supporters funded trips to youth tournaments in Argentina through local raffles and community collections when Durán was just seven or eight years old.
From “Neymar” to European Lower Divisions
Known locally in Santa Marta as “Neymar” during his youth due to physical resemblance and playing style, Durán developed through the Selección del Magdalena and Selección de Antioquia ranks before testing himself in European lower divisions. His international trajectory took him through Portugal—playing for Lusitania, Estrela Amadora, and Portimonense—followed by a stint in Azerbaijan before his move to Celtic in Scotland.
Enduring Hardship Across Continents
According to his mentor, the transition abroad tested Durán’s resilience from an early age. “He didn’t suffer from homesickness, he endured and hung on,” Orejarena said of the forward’s move to Medellín at age 14. After securing his place in European competition and establishing regular goalscoring form in Glasgow, Durán now steps into international camp preparations as part of Colombia’s senior pool.
The Road Ahead Under Néstor Lorenzo
Colombia’s upcoming fixture schedule features matches against Mexico on September 26, Paraguay on October 2, and Peru on October 6, providing Durán his first opportunity to feature under Lorenzo’s tactical setup.
