The technical director of the Colombia Men’s U-20 Team, Hector Cardenasannounced the names of the 24 players who will be called up for the new friendly commitments to prepare for the South American of the category that will be played in our country in 2023. The national team will focus on Cali from December 6 to 10, and later will travel to Lima from December 11 to 16 to play two friendly matches once morest their similar Peru on December 13 and 15.
In this new call, the presence of two players who are active in two of the most important clubs in Europe stood out. Is regarding Juan David FuentesColombian-Spanish player at the service of the FC Barcelonay Jose Mateo Mejiaalso Colombian-Spanish, but whose career was developed in the Manchester United. Both received their first call and might be taken into account for the South American that will be held between January and February 2023.
“We are observing a large number of players. The list is long. Oswaldo Valencia from River Plate, Juan Diego Alegria in Finland, Mateo Velasco and Stiven Rivas who are in Gremio. Jhon Renteria in Portugal, Juan David Fuentes who was in the under 17 selection process, Jean Paul García who is in Getafe, Moises Castillo Mosquera who is in Portugal and Cristian Castro who is a starter at Boavista. Mateo Mejia of Manchester United, Kevin Gonzalez of Crystal Palace. They are a large number of players that we hope to have them. Eddie Salcedo is also a player that we want to bring closer”, Arturo Reyes, former coach of the Colombia U-20 team, said at the time regarding the possibility of calling up players who have made their careers abroad.
For some time now, the name of the Colombian-Spanish Juan David Fuentes gain space among supporters of the Barcelona Football Club. The 19-year-old forward has been one of the figures of the youth team of the Catalan team, which is led by the Mexican Rafael Marquezand is one of the players called up to the first team so far this season.
On several occasions, the DT Xavi Hernandez He has brought him closer to the training sessions of the main team, in order to evaluate his evolution and take it into account later, since the player has been liked by the Spanish coach for a long time.
He plays as a winger on the right and his most skilful leg is his left. He owns great technique and is very clean with the ball, due to his good performances, he is closely followed by the Spain team. He has competed in the UEFA Youth League, standing out among the most interesting prospects. He came to the squad from the under-16 and under-18 divisions. He recently renewed his contract with the club and although he is watched by the youth teams of the Spanish team, he has already been in the Colombia under-17 team and his desire is to represent the coffee country.
This 19-year-old striker was born in Zaragoza, Spain, on March 31, 2003. The fact of having Colombian parents allowed him to have dual nationality. After playing some matches with the Real Zaragoza His ability and great technique with the ball put him in the orbit of important scouts, among those of the Manchester Unitedwho finally signed the youth.
He had a couple of knee injuries that prevented him from standing out once he started training with the ‘Red Devils’, but once he recovered he was promoted to the under-23 team where he made his debut once morest Chelsea. During the recent preseason in July 2022 he played some games and scored once morest Hearts (6-1), Bayern Munich (5-0) y Kidderminster Harriers (1-0).
The complete call is made up of:
- Alexei Rojas Fedorushchenko – Arsenal Football Club (ING)
- Juan Jose Mina Gonzalez – Cali Sports Association
- Daniel Andrés Luna – Cali Sports Association
- Andrés Salazar Osorio – Atlético Nacional SA
- Luis Miguel Marquines Preciado – Atlético Nacional SA
- Edier Ocampo Vidal – National Athletic SA
- Tomás Ángel Gutiérrez – Atlético Nacional SA
- Oscar Manuel Cortés – Azul Y Blanco Millonarios Fc SA
- Ricardo Andrés Caraballo – Barranquilla Football Club SA
- Jhon Jaider Velez Carey – Barranquilla Football Club SA
- Gustavo Adolfo Puerta Molano – Bogota Football Club SA
- Jhon Jader Duran Palacio – Chicago Fire (USA)
- Fernando Antonio Álvarez – Pachuca Soccer Club (Mex)
- Alexis Castillo Manyoma – Cortuluá Football Club SA
- Steven Alexander Valencia – Cortuluá Football Club SA
- Julian Andrés Palacios Isaza – Envigado Football Club SA
- Juan Diego Castillo – Ceif Fortress
- Juan David Fuentes Garrido – Fc Barcelona (Esp)
- Juan Andrés Castilla Lozano – Houston Dynamo Fc (Usa)
- Jhojan Camilo Torres Guaza – Independent Santa Fe SA
- Kevin Andrés Mantilla – Independiente Santa Fe SA
- José Mateo Mejía Piedrahita – Manchester United Fc (Eng)
- Jorge Leguin Cabezas Hurtado – Real Cartagena FCSA
- Daniel Esteban Pedrozo Martinez – Real Cartagena FCSA
