James and Falcao Will be Absent in Two Friendship Games

DBasia.news –  Coach Carlos Queiroz issued two Colombian stars James Rodriguez and Radamel Falcao from two friendly matches against Chile and Algeria. This decision is without influence from anyone, including from the player in question.

“All the decisions I made during my life as a coach were to answer the following very simple question: ‘what is best for the team?’ Nothing else,” said the Portuguese coach.

“I want my best players to be ready when three points are at stake.”

Colombia faces Chile on Saturday in Alicante, Spain and then against Algeria in Lille on October 15. South American qualifiers for the 2020 World Cup starting in March next year.

Queiroz denied reports that James, who returned to Madrid this season, asked to be expelled from the national team to get a regular place in Real’s first team.

“That’s not true,” Queiroz said. “No player has asked to be expelled.”

Queiroz said Falcao, who is 33 years old and has been the top scorer of all time in Colombia, has missed nearly half of all matches defending his country with a knee injury since 2014.