Rene Higuita, the legendary former goalkeeper for Colombia and idol of Atletico Nacional, has shared his insights on the current state of the Colombian national team under Nestor Lorenzo, the ongoing criticism of James Rodriguez, and his predictions for the upcoming World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
On September 6th, Higuita will celebrate his 31st birthday, coincidentally marking the date of his iconic scorpion kick save against England in 1996—an achievement etched into football history. His contributions revolutionised the role of the goalkeeper, and his legacy is well-remembered.
Below, Higuita discusses the challenges facing Nestor Lorenzo’s leadership and the prospects of including James Rodriguez in the starting lineup.
The Colombian National Team: Nestor Lorenzo and James Rodriguez’s Role
What is your perception of Colombia’s identity and confidence level at the moment?
“In Colombia, we maintain a positive outlook towards our national team. While we were disappointed with our performances in the recent losses to France and Croatia, we remain confident in the skills and potential of our players.”
Reflecting on the matches against France and Croatia, how do you perceive Colombia’s performance against such formidable opponents?
“Facing these two teams provided an opportunity to demonstrate our abilities, yet we weren’t able to put forth our best. Nonetheless, we continue to believe in our players and our coaching staff. After results like these, discussions about the coach tend to arise, and Nestor Lorenzo is no different in that regard.”
How do you evaluate Nestor Lorenzo’s current situation?
“I believe every process unfolds in phases: the matches, the qualifications, and ultimately, the World Cup. We are starting anew, and while experience plays a crucial role, it’s important to support our national team. We aim to offer constructive feedback as former players and fans to foster unity for our team.”
James Rodriguez has also faced scrutiny following the March friendlies. What’s your take on that?
“Ah, James is an essential player for us. He doesn’t need to prove himself to showcase his value. The criticism arises because he hasn’t featured much at Minnesota United, while others, like Diaz, are getting more game time. It raises questions about the criteria for selection. We need to respect the decisions made and patiently await the reasons behind squad selections since the objective is to involve those who can contribute to winning.”
What about Luis Diaz? He recently scored at the Bernabeu. How do you see his position in terms of leadership on the national team?
“The national side is replete with leaders; each position boasts a player with significant experience. We must place our trust in those at the helm—specifically Nestor Lorenzo. If Luis Díaz is performing at such a high level, we should leverage his ability to influence matches, which presents a challenge for our coach.”
Considering your vast experience, how would you assess Colombia’s goalkeeping situation?
“Colombia possesses outstanding goalkeepers. We have (Alvaro) Montero, our friend David Ospina, Camilo Vargas, (Kevin) Mier, and (Luis) Marquinez. There are also rising talents, who many may not yet know, that could easily step up as national team goalkeepers. There’s no need for concern; we can sleep soundly knowing our goalkeeping is in good hands.”
The World Cup: Contenders and New Rules in Football
Moving on to the World Cup, who do you consider as frontrunners?
“There are numerous contenders. Watching the Champions League reveals how many skilled players hail from various nations. We can’t disregard Argentina, the champions from Qatar 2022, or sides like France, Germany, Spain, Brazil, and even Uruguay, who could surprise many.”
“I trust that the Colombian national team can also make a significant impact.”
If you had to pick a champion, who would it be?
“I’m always going to back Colombia; I won’t bet against them. If pressed for a runner-up, I would choose France.”
Who are your favourite goalkeepers in today’s game?
“(Manuel) Neuer has recently shown remarkable prowess, particularly in his match against Real Madrid. I also think highly of (Thibaut) Courtois; he’s an exceptional goalkeeper. Ultimately, my choice for the best goalkeeper today would be ‘Dibu’ Martinez.”
Is there a current goalkeeper that you see a resemblance to yourself in?
“A goalkeeper serves as a crucial support for the team. The evolution of football, along with its rules, gives them much more involvement, particularly if their technical skills are strong. If they’re under pressure, they need to manage the ball effectively, rather than risk shaky play. In times past, we relied on five defenders, transitioning to a line of four with a sweeper or a stopper. Now, with changes to attacking dynamics, we often play with three backs, and attackers sometimes drop into defensive roles. Maintaining a secure defensive line is crucial.”
Football is continuously evolving. What are your thoughts on new rules like hydration breaks or the five-second rule for restarting play?
“All changes aimed at improving football are commendable. It’s essential to have referees who enforce these rules with authority. It’s frustrating when the crowd influences the game, leading to interruptions. It’s great when a referee stands firm, yet knows when to enforce rules to keep the flow of play moving rapidly.”
Compiled by SportArena.au
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