Iván Mejía uncovered past conflicts in the Colombia national team: “It was a cartel duel”

After two consecutive World Cups qualifying, the Colombia team was left out of the orbital event in Qatar 2022. This elimination brought back memories of other times of the 'Tricolor' in which it could not secure its place in the World Cup either or that, on the contrary, its performance in the tournament ended up being disappointing to the public.

The latter was the case of the 1994 World Cup in the United States, in which the 'Cafetero' team arrived, for many experts, as one of the favorites to fight the title. The team led by Francisco Maturana had the best performance in all the South American qualifiers, ending undefeated with four wins and two draws, and having fresh memories of the 5-0 win against Argentina at the Monumental Stadium.

However, expectations went to the floor, as the Colombia team was left out of the World Cup in the group stage. Two defeats: the first against Romania (3-1), and the second to the United States (2-1), remembered for the own-goal that would later end Andrés Escobar's life, sentenced the fate of the 'Tricolor'.

Precisely, about Colombia's performance in that World Cup, Iván Mejía spoke on the program 'Final Expedient', on the Caracol Channel. The sports journalist was consulted for the reasons that triggered the team's premature elimination, and he assured that, within the squad, there were several conflicts of interest:

“That was terrible inside, inside the Colombian National Team it was a cartel duel, that was very brave, that was flying the ticket, the drink. Those players were never able to concentrate, they totally lost their humility,” explained the communicator in the first instance.

Mejía even related that crosses between 'sides' that were formed in the 'Tricolor' came up: It was a problem of clan clash, that of the whites against the browns, that was very brave in there”.

“That was so brave that Maturana himself after losing the first match went out to say that they should give the ball back to the 'monkey', that is to say that they would give the ball to Carlos Valderrama, because Asprilla and the 'Tren', the dark-haired ones, do not pass the ball to Valderrama.” communication.

John Jairo Tréllez was one of the players who, although he was part of that so-called 'golden generation' of Colombian football, was never able to attend a World Cup. However, in the same Caracol channel report, the former Antioquian goalscorer explained that he heard cases of clashes on the squad: “I talked to the other teammates, and there were many discussions between them. At that time the rallies were very long and it was a time when coexistence became heavy.”

The results did not end up being positive for the 'Tricolor'. Her three points in three matches played left her last in group A and with a performance of 33.3%.

Despite Colombia winning 1-0 against Venezuela as a visitor, breaking a 26-year playoff streak, the team led by Reinaldo Rueda could not get their place in the repechage. One of the players noted for not qualifying for the Qatar World Cup was James Rodriguez, who received criticism from Ivan Mejia.

“Be physically prepared to run, push and play 50% faster. Forget about the estrellita complex and learn to be a good companion and a better student. Try to play in high-level football and not where you are nobody. You were... today you are not valuable to the future,” he said.

Likewise, he made it clear that Colombia “did not have any clothes to go to the party”, so the elimination was hardly logical: “Team without goal and without creation. We will blame players and coaches, but when will the inept managers show their faces? Football in Colombia is not progressing, it goes backwards.”

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