Juan Guillermo Cuadrado was left out of Colômbia’s call-up for Copa’s 2026 Mundo. The attacking midfielder, who turned 38, reacted publicly with a message of thanks to the Colombian team via Instagram, wishing the team blessings ahead of the tournament.
Cuadrado receives tributes on his birthday
Cuadrado’s response came after Seleção Colômbia’s official account posted birthday wishes. Ele returned with thanks and blessings for the team in the competition. The message was simple and direct: “Thank you, my beloved team, and blessings from heaven on this Copa. With everything.”
Trajetória and numbers by selection
Cuadrado has an extensive experience with Colômbia. The player completed 116 matches for the national team, scoring 11 goals and distributing 20 assists. Ele is one of the few Colombians to have scored on two different Copas and Mundo. Junto with Juanfer Quintero, Cuadrado joins the select group of Colombian players with this brand.
One of his memorable performances was in the friendly against Alemanha on June 20, 2023, when he scored a goal and provided an assist in Colombia’s 2-0 victory. The performance attracted attention, but it was not enough to keep him in Néstor Lorenzo’s plans for 2026.
Decisão of Lorenzo and deletion context
Cuadrado was part of the pre-list of 55 players called up for Copa from Mundo. Muitos fans had hope for the veteran’s possible inclusion. Néstor Lorenzo, however, chose not to include the player in the final squad. The coach had publicly praised Cuadrado before the announcement:
- Reconheceu special dedication to the selection
- Afirmou frequently chat with the player
- Destacou that Cuadrado deserved to be present until the end of the competition
Apesar of positive words, Lorenzo’s technical decision was to keep the focus on other names for the campaign in Copa of Mundo 2026.
Reação mature player
Cuadrado’s attitude after the exclusion reflected maturity and professionalism. Instead of publishing negative or critical messages, the attacking midfielder chose to wish the team success. Esse’s behavior contrasts with other players who often display public resentment when excluded from call-ups.
Cuadrado’s gesture highlights his connection with the Colombian team over the years. Sua’s presence in two previous Mundiais and outstanding contributions left a legacy in the trajectory of Colômbia.