Former Colombia coach Jorge Luis Pinto has criticised Néstor Lorenzo’s squad for the friendlies against Chile, arguing that the call-ups lean too heavily on players based abroad and overlook the Liga BetPlay. Pinto accepts that the side needs renewal, but he says the new faces lack the competitive experience the national team requires.
Colombia host Chile at the Pascual Guerrero stadium in Cali on 13 November 2026, with the return fixture set for Tuesday 17 November at the Estadio Nacional in Ñuñoa, Santiago. Lorenzo has included several newcomers as he looks to evaluate options and begin the generational change.
Camilo Mena and the question of experience
Speaking to Futbolred, Pinto said that bringing in fresh faces was important, but that the renewal should not be carried out so far from the top level of the game. He pointed to Camilo Mena, the Korona Kielce forward in Poland, as an example. In Pinto’s view, Mena has talent but not enough competitive experience, and the national team does not have much time to provide it.
Domestic players left out
Pinto believes Lorenzo has sidelined options from the Colombian league and rejects the idea that playing abroad should be enough to earn a place in the national side. He said he was pained that Lorenzo does not look more closely at Colombian football, insisting that there are experienced and well-conditioned full-backs, midfielders and forwards at home who deserve a chance.
The debate also drew in Atlético Nacional, after comments by the club’s coach, Lucas González, about the call-ups. Pinto did not fully agree with González but questioned the selection of several Nacional players, suggesting that only Rengifo is likely to be taken seriously. He also argued that Yeison Guzmán, of América, should be considered for the attacking midfield role and should compete with Rengifo for a place among the creative players.
Doubts over Devis Vásquez
Pinto also questioned the inclusion of goalkeeper Devis Vásquez, who plays for Roma in Italy, given his limited game time. He compared the situation with goalkeepers in Colombia and elsewhere in South America who were not called up, and openly wondered whether agents were influencing the decision. In his view, the national team should not be used to develop players who still need to build up their experience, when more mature options are available at home.
Backing for the decision on Jhon Durán
Pinto did, however, support the omission of Jhon Durán. He said the forward needs time to mature before being given the responsibility of representing the country, and that he has the talent but is trying to skip stages of his development. Pinto added that he had already opposed Durán’s presence at the World Cup, saying that the tournament demands complete players and that the striker is not yet one for international competition.
Source: www.infobae.com
