06/21/2024
The last time Colombia won the Copa América, Luis Díaz was 4 years old and James Rodríguez was 10. More than two decades later, both are the figures of the team that will play the tournament in the United States.
The team, which will debut this Monday against Paraguay (5:00 pm), is the favorite to compete for the title. That is due to the good results it has obtained. Also to the quality of the 26 players in his squad.
For this reason, there are those who say that the Colombia led by Néstor Lorenzo is one of the best in history. The numbers support that hypothesis. Since Lorenzo took office, in September 2022, the Tricolor has played 20 games (won 15 and tied 5). In addition, they added historic victories against Germany and Spain in friendlies. They also beat Brazil in qualifying for the first time.
The Tricolor has not lost for 2 and a half years. The last time they fell was on February 1, 2022. That day Argentina beat them 1-0. Since then he has gone 23 games undefeated. He is 5 away from equaling the record of 27 that “Pacho” Maturana achieved between 1992 and 1994.
The numbers that the coffee team has at this moment were achieved thanks to the management given by Lorenzo, who formed a team, calmed egos and implemented an idea: he recovered his identity. At least that’s how the Antioquia coach and World Cup player with Ecuador and Costa Rica, Luis Fernando Suárez, conceives it, who said that although he thinks it is incorrect to compare this team with others like the 1994 team, it is important that lessons have been learned from the mistakes that were made at that time. “Our team did not have the background that today’s boys have. We had quality, but now they are used to playing in Europe, to facing important rivals every 8 days in their clubs,” analyzed “El Pibe” Valderrama.
The Colombia of the Copa América 2024 has a valuable squad (costs 271.6 million euros according to Transfermarkt), with an international career. Fifteen of the 26 called up play in Europe, they do so in Brazil, 2 in Argentina, one in Qatar, one in Saudi Arabia, one in Mexico and only Álvaro Montero is from the local tournament.
They also have their most expensive player in Luis Díaz (75 million euros), he is one of the best wingers in the world. The presence of him, James and other figures such as Jhon Arias and Rafael Santos Borré excites the fans that this year the second Cup will come.
