Juan Camilo Portilla and David Ospina the surprises in Néstor Lorenzo’s call

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File photograph in which the coach of the Colombian men’s national soccer team, Argentine Néstor Lorenzo, was recorded during a press conference in Guarne (Antioquia, Colombia). EFE/Luis Noriega

The Colombian Football Federation (FCF) and the coaching staff of the Colombian senior team, led by technical director Néstor Lorenzo, revealed the list of players called up for the matches corresponding to the March FIFA dates, in which the coffee team will face their counterparts from Spain and Romania.

Below is the list of the 26 selected:

• Álvaro Montero – Millonarios FC
• Camilo Vargas – Atlas (MEX)
• Carlos Cuesta – KRC Genk (BEL)
• Cristian Borja – SC Braga (POR)
• Daniel Muñoz – Crystal Palace (ENG)
• David Ospina – Al-Nassr (KSA)
• Ian Poveda – Sheffield Wednesday (ENG)
• James Rodríguez – São Paulo (BRA)
• Jefferson Lerma – Crystal Palace (ENG)
• Jhon Arias – Fluminense (BRA)
• Jhon Córdoba – FC Krasnodar (RUS)
• John Lucumi – Bologna (ITA)
• Johan Mojica – Osasuna (ESP)
• Jorge Carrascal – Dynamo Moscow (RUS)
• Juan Camilo Portilla – CA Talleres (ARG)
• Juan Fernando Quintero – Racing Club (ARG)
• Kevin Castaño – FC Krasnodar (RUS)
• Luis Díaz – Liverpool (ENG)
• Luis Sinisterra – AFC Bournemouth (ENG)
• Mateo Cassierra – Zenit (RUS)
• Rafael Santos Borré – International (BRA)
• Richard Ríos – Palmeiras (BRA)
• Santiago Arias – EC Bahia (BRA)
• Yaser Asprilla – Watford (ENG)
• Yerry Mina – Cagliari (ENG)
• Yerson Mosquera – Villarreal (ESP)

Juan Camilo Portilla, from Talleres, would be one of those called up by the Colombian team in March – credit Talleres

Since he was in América de Cali, Santiago Portilla had been dreaming of joining the Colombian team thanks to his performances with the Red Devils; However, the 24-year-old from Cali received the call to the coffee team wearing the colors of Talleres de Córdoba.

His performances with the T were enough for Néstor Lorenzo, who included him in the list of 26 for international commitments that will serve as a springboard to fight for a place for the Copa América 2024 that will be held in the United States between June 20 and July 14.

David Ospina has two matches with Al Nassr – credit @alnassr/X

Despite his little continuity with Al Nassr, the 35-year-old goalkeeper was once again summoned by Lorenzo, who took him into account for the matches against Venezuela and Mexico that were played on North American soil in December 2023.

Ospina’s call is surprising due to the good moment that Kevin Mier is having in Mexico with Cruz Azul, with whom he has started 10 times, while the former has only played two official matches with his squad.

Ian Poveda received his second call-up to the Colombian national team – FCF credit

It was one of the novelties in the Argentine’s last call, which left him with good feelings in his two presentations with the Tricolor. The 24-year-old Colombian-Englishman left Leeds United at the beginning of 2024 to sign for Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship, with which he has had greater consistency, enough to receive his second call-up to the Colombian national team.

Colombian Juan Fernando Quintero scored against Boca Juniors with Racing – credit Fotobaires

Nalgón returns to the Colombian team after being absent for several games with the Tricolor, with whom he played his last game on September 12, 2023, in the goalless draw with Chile, a match valid for the second day of the qualifying rounds of the Conmebol.

In the current campaign with Racing de Avellaneda, Juanfer has played 10 games with two goals and the same number of assists in 755 minutes played with the Academy, being a key piece in Gustavo Costas’ scheme.

Like Quintero, another of the notable returns in Lorenzo’s call-up was that of Yasser Asprilla, who had a notable campaign with Watford in England’s second division with whom he has played 38 games in all competitions, scoring six goals and the same number of assists.