The name of Iván Ramiro Córdoba Sepúlveda is very big, not only in Colombia, but in Italy, since there were almost two decades of a career full of successes, which of course, were not a coincidence, since he always took his talent hand in hand with his discipline, a fact that allowed him to be the first Colombian to win a Uefa Champions League, and also, being the only captain who has raised an official title with the Colombia selection.
Although Iván Ramiro is in the history of our country, both for having scored a goal in the final and for being the leader and captain in the conquest of the 2001 Copa América, which was celebrated in our country, but he no longer wants to be the only one, well now he hopes that James Rodriguez accompanied him on this record and believes that it is not a crazy idea.
The historic footballer, who went through National AthleticSan Lorenzo and Inter Milan, spoke with Publimetro Colombia to make it clear that he is excited about a second conquest of the Copa América thanks to the excellent group that Néstor Lorenzo has formed with the talent of our players: “They must have the strength that what they have done so far has been the product of great work, dedication and that they arrive with an important security of playing football that allows them to think about fighting for the Copa América.
Of course, Iván Ramiro emphasized that they should not arrive with their heads focused only on the round where they are, but that from the beginning they need to be clear that they are going for the title: “It’s not about getting to the Cup and looking step by step, you have to think about the biggest thing. I know that first you have to pass the group and then win the games, but when you think about what is most important, I believe that you define the essential objective and work based on that, that is what we did in the 2001 Copa América.”
Although Córdoba forged an extensive career full of achievements, especially abroad when he defended the colors of Inter Milan, he did not dare to question anything about the 26 players chosen by the National Team’s coaching staff for this Copa América. Well, he is aware of all the work that goes on ‘behind the scenes’ and knows that they have studied the players better than anyone: “They are the best ones to choose the players who should be in the Colombian National Team. Every day they watch an incredible number of games and examine each player in his position, based on that they make decisions.”
Iván Ramiro even praised the coaching staff, who has been the architect of the 23 undefeated games for more than two years and that is why he is confident with the players called up, even if they do not have the best present in their clubs: “Processes like the one we are seeing from Professor Néstor Lorenzo and his technical staff give one the security that the Colombian National Team can have great ambitions in this Copa América and I believe that they have made the best choice of players according to what they need. the professor, with very important players, not only for their moment but for what they represent through their experience, such as Pibe, Rincón, Fausino, René Higuita, now James, Falcao, Luis Díaz, Cuadrado or David Ospina, whether they are summoned or not.”
Still, he made it clear that he wouldn’t have minded seeing Radamel Falcao Garcíathe all-time top scorer of the Colombian National Team in this new call: “A player with the conditions that Falcao has must always think that he can be in the Colombian National Team, but it depends on the analysis that the teacher and the coaching staff have been able to do. Falcao is a player who, in good physical condition, could be called up.”
Iván Ramiro defended the colors of the Colombian National Team from 1997 to 2010, during which time he played more than 70 games and scored five goals (Two against Argentina, one against Germany, one against Venezuela and the other against Mexico).
In addition, he was part of the 1998 World Cup in France, although he did not play a game, he played in four editions of the Copa América, participated in the 2003 Confederations Cup and was part of the team in four World Cup Qualifiers.
Of course, Iván Ramiro is clear that throughout the career he forged in the Colombian National Team, his favorite teammate and great friend was always Mario Alberto Yépes because he marked very important moments in his career.
In the current National Team he sees his position in good hands and identifies with the game of Jhon Lucumí, who currently defends the colors of Bologna in Italy and is emerging as the center back of the present and future of our country: “The defensive zone continues to be a strength of the National Team, but what Jhon Lucumí has been doing as a process in the National Team is to be admired and gives that feeling of security that having a player like him gives one.”
However, the former soccer player did not dare to choose the defenders who should be starters in the tournament, but he also highlighted the presence of Carlos Cuesta and the hierarchy of Dávinson Sánchez: “There are players in the defensive back who have already shown confidence and give that peace of mind to the National Team like Jhon Lucumí or Cuesta. Sánchez already has a very important journey in European football. “They give us the strength in defense to compete in the Copa América”
Córdoba concluded his speech with an important reflection on his career, where he emphasized that he did not play only for his interests, but always thinking about his country: “When you are little, what you want most is to be able to stand out as a professional player and when you arrive abroad, you become an ambassador, then you have an additional responsibility, not only for your ambitions but for those of an entire country, for a legacy that “You want to leave the young people and that’s what I tried to do.”
