The talented, albeit inconsistent, footballer Jhon Jader Duran appears to be on the verge of being left out of the Colombia national football team squad set to compete in the FIFA World Cup. In addition to the coaching staff no longer calling him up for recent World Cup qualifiers and friendlies, press reports have gathered statements from officials that seem to suggest the player’s fate has already been decided.
The latest chapter in this saga unfolded just a few days ago when Colombian football icon Carlos ‘El Pibe’ Valderrama stated that “Duran ruled himself out [of the national team] because he fought with the group. And you know he fought with the group. Anyone who fights with the group rules himself out.”
The former player, who featured for Colombian clubs such as Union Magdalena, Junior, Deportivo Cali, and France’s Montpellier, among others, did not provide evidence for his claims, although he is widely regarded as well-informed.
Valderrama warned that Duran would not make the tournament: “He has the qualities — no one denies that — but he cannot fight with the group. For this [World Cup], it won’t be enough.”
Duran responds to ‘El Pibe’ Valderrama
Duran, true to his character, responded immediately: “Enough is enough. I have never been — and certainly never will be — the kind of person who goes around saying these things just for the sake of talking or putting on appearances. But enough with the bad energy, bad words, and so many rumors that only demean and damage a person’s image.”
And he added: “The truth is, I did not fight with any player, much less with any member of the Colombia national team’s coaching staff. And the day that happens, I will come out and say it publicly myself, because I am someone who always tells the truth, even if many of you don’t like it or don’t believe it.”
There is no evidence of the alleged altercation between Duran and his national teammates, but the narrative has gained traction, and Valderrama’s remarks have reignited the debate — even within the Colombian Football Federation (FCF), the sport’s top authority in the country.
Specialized outlet Gol Caracol spoke with several officials, and their comments leave little room to believe Duran will be called up again.
Officials reportedly hold a poor opinion of Duran
Alvaro Gonzalez Alzate (president of the Amateur Division of Colombian Football — Difutbol), for example, responded bluntly when asked about Duran: “A very bad kid.” But that was not all. Alzate went further, speaking on behalf of FCF leadership: “That is the opinion they have of Duran within FCF. And I believe it is shared by Ramon Jesurun [president of the FCF] and Carlos Mario Zuluaga [president of the Colombian Professional Football Division].”
Javier Hernandez Bonnet, director of Gol Caracol, said the source he consulted reportedly stated: “Today, [Duran] is not on anyone’s radar around here; his name doesn’t carry weight at the FCF headquarters.”
But the mystery surrounding Jhon Jader Duran and the Colombia national team is nearing its end. This week, the squad list is expected to be released for the national team that will face Croatia and France later this month before heading to the tournament to be held in Mexico, the United States, and Canada. Once the list is out, it will become clear whether “el Pibe” Valderrama was right.