What did Jorge Luis Pinto say?

In a morning interview on Mañanas Blu (10:30 AM, July 9 2026), the former Colombia national team coach delivered his harshest criticism of James Rodríguez: the captain should be the first to leave the project. Pinto claimed the squad needs a “deep renewal” and that “about ten players, led by James, must go”. The comment arrives as Colombia recently beat Australia 3‑0 (Nov 19 2025) and holds a 3‑win, 2‑draw record in its last five matches, currently on a two‑game winning streak.

Why target James?

Pinto explained that the confidence placed in the midfielder did not translate into performance. “The coach fell in love with him, thought he would deliver and he didn’t,” he said. The coach also recalled controversial decisions during the last World Cup, such as swapping Jhon Arias and the lack of an extra striker. According to him, those mistakes reflect broader issues that go beyond individual names and touch the structure of Colombian football.

Who should stay?

Unlike James, Pinto praised the midfield trio of Gustavo Puerta, Jefferson Lerma and Richard Ríos, calling it “outstanding” and vital for the new project. He also defended Luis Díaz, arguing he lacked a supporting midfielder in the collective play, which limited his individual performance at the World Cup.

What does this mean for the future?

The former coach stressed that changes cannot be limited to a single figure; they must affect a large part of the squad’s core. He noted that insufficient training and a missing clear hierarchy are hurdles Colombian football must overcome. “Hierarchy is built by training how you press, how you attack,” he concluded, reminding that Juan Córdoba remains sidelined with injury.

What’s the next step?

Pinto did not provide a definitive list but hinted that the roster for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers could be revisited soon. Pressure on the current technical staff is rising, and fans are waiting to see whether the federation will implement a real overhaul or keep the status quo. Meanwhile, La Tricolor continues its winning run, but the shadow of the James controversy lingers.