Colombia was left out of Qatar 2022, the first World Cup in which it will not be since South Africa 1998. With a country full of talent, the reactions to failure are not positive at all. Faryd Mondragón, historical former goalkeeper of the coffee team, took it out on Reinaldo Rueda, national coach.
“Nobody understands how Colombia didn’t qualify. The selection was too big for Rueda. He has a great sense of being human, but he lacked character and was unknown at the time of the criteria for the calls. It is infamous to be out of Qatar“, sentenced Mondragón, who did not hide his discomfort, as did James Rodríguez, a reference for Colombia.
Faryd Mondragón played 55 matches with Colombia and was on the squad for three World Cups: United States 1994 , France 2010 and Brazil 2014. He is a history of Colombian soccer, present in five South American Qualifiers, and did not hesitate to point out that the road to Qatar 2014 is “the easiest he has seen “.
For the former goalkeeper, Reinaldo Rueda is not the same coach “we know”, and although he retains a great sense of being human, he lacks character for the challenge of leading a team like Colombia’s.
Mondragón is not mistaken in highlighting the quality and quantity of talent that his team possesses, which had a streak of seven games without scoring a goal, a streak that took its toll and sentenced them in their on the way to Qatar 2022.
It will not be easy for Colombia to overcome this moment.