Colombia's World Cup Squad Announced, James Rodriguez Included

Bogota. Captain James Rodriguez, who has not been able to spend much time on the field due to health problems, has been included in Colombia's World Cup squad. Rodriguez, a former player for Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Everton, has only started two of Minnesota United's 15 Major League Soccer (MLS) games this season.

He has spent a total of only 194 minutes on the field. The South American nation of Colombia, which failed to qualify for the 2022 Qatar World Cup, will see 34-year-old midfielder Rodriguez accompanied by Bayern Munich winger Luis Diaz as they make a comeback in this World Cup.

Rodriguez was admitted to the hospital after falling ill during the match against France on March, which Colombia lost 3-1. He was kept under medical supervision for three days due to dehydration.

At that time, rumors spread in the American media and social media that he had a dangerous disease called 'Rhabdomyolysis', which causes muscle weakness and can be fatal, but his club Minnesota denied it. Rodriguez, who won the Golden Boot at the 2014 World Cup, joined Minnesota in February, just before the start of the MLS season.

Crystal Palace's Daniel Munoz and Jefferson Lerma, as well as former Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina, are also included in Colombia's squad. The Colombian team will initially train in Bogota to prepare for the World Cup. Then it is scheduled to play friendly matches against Costa Rica on June 1 and Jordan on June 7.

Colombia, playing in their seventh World Cup, will begin their Group 'K' campaign against Uzbekistan, who are playing in the World Cup for the first time on June 17. DR Congo and Portugal are also in this group.

Colombia's World Cup Squad:

• Goalkeeper: Camilo Vargas (Atlas), Alvaro Montero (Velez Sarsfield), David Ospina (Atletico Nacional).
• Defender: Davinson Sanchez (Galatasaray), Jhon Lucumi (Bologna), Yerry Mina (Cagliari), Willer Ditta (Cruz Azul), Daniel Munoz (Crystal Palace), Santiago Arias (Independiente), Johan Mojica (Mallorca), Deiver Machado (Nantes).
• Midfielder: Richard Rios (Benfica), Jefferson Lerma (Crystal Palace), Kevin Castano (River Plate), Juan Camilo Portilla (Atletico Paranaense), Gustavo Puerta (Racing de Santander), Jhon Arias (Palmeiras), Jorge Carrascal (Flamengo), Juan Fernando Quintero (River Plate), James Rodriguez (Minnesota United), Jaminthon Campos (Rosario Central).
• Forward: Juan Camilo Hernandez (Real Betis), Luis Diaz (Bayern Munich), Luis Suarez (Sporting), Carlos Andres Gomez (Vasco da Gama), Jhon Cordoba (Krasnodar).