The Federation (FCF) reported this Friday through a press release that they performed medical examinations on James Rodríguez and the results showed that the Everton midfielder is not at an optimal level to play the qualifying matches and the Copa América 2021.
Therefore, one of the captains of the Colombian National Team and one of its main figures misses the matches of the next few days for the Qatar 2022 tie against Peru and Argentina.
“In recent days, the steering wheel was subjected to medical examinations, which determined that it is not at the optimal level of competition, therefore, it will not be able to join the group called by Reinaldo Rueda for the aforementioned commitments and the South American championship” says the statement.
Player called off from the Colombian Senior Men’s National Team.
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– Colombia Selection (@FCFSeleccionCol) May 28, 2021
In recent days, James had shared on social networks that he was traveling in his private plane to Colombia, but did not mention that he is still injured. Even the midfielder did not play the last Premier League game with Everton and his coach, Carlo Ancelotti, said at a press conference that he was already concentrating and recovering to play the America’s Cup.
The coach Reinaldo Rueda has not made his debut on his return to the National Team and has already encountered several problems. First he had to call off Juan Fernando Quintero due to the strong restrictions in China to leave and enter the country, and now due to injury he will not have the other creative James Rodríguez.
Edwin Cardona would be Quintero’s replacement, but now another position has to be filled in the following hours, as the national team has not fully trained and Rueda needs to train to face the tie duels.
“The coach and his team of collaborators regret not being able to count on James Rodríguez on this occasion and hope that soon the midfielder will be able to be part of a call, representing our country with the height and professionalism as he has always done,” the statement concluded of the FCF.
To qualify for Qatar 2022, Colombia is in need of victories, as it is seventh in the standings with only 4 points out of 12 possible. Brazil is first, Argentina, second and Ecuador, third.
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