It has been 6 days since the Colombian National Team lost the final of the 2024 Copa América against Argentina, 1-0, with a goal scored by Lautaro Martínez in the second extra time.
However, the Colombian national team players are already looking to lift their heads and face what is coming, in view of the upcoming matches and tournaments in which the Tricolor hopes to participate.
In this regard, SEMANA spoke with Yerry Mina, central defender for the National Team and Cagliari, and talked about what is coming in his career and with the national team.
The defender was asked about the fact that the fans did not welcome the national team and whether this affected them within the team.
Yerry Mina will continue his career at Cagliari in Italy. | Photo: 2024 Francesco Scaccianoce
“I don’t really know, but we came out of this feeling calm, as I told you before, because we gave it our all. Now it’s time to enjoy our families, the people who are close to us and work for what’s coming,” he said.
How much did Colombia earn for being runners-up in the Copa América?
Before the match against Argentina, the national team had already secured four million dollars for reaching the semi-finals, where they defeated Uruguay thanks to a header by Jefferson Lerma. To this figure is added the 7 million obtained for being a finalist. In total, the Colombian team takes home 11 million dollars as runner-up of the Copa América, an amount whose destination is still unknown.
On the other hand, Argentina is the biggest winner financially, taking home 20 million dollars, including the 16 million awarded to the champion. However, this prize money will not alleviate the pain of the Colombian players and the millions of fans who witnessed every moment of the final.
“I told them to keep their heads up. We lost, but I don’t feel it as a defeat. It’s something strange. I feel that the boys came out victorious throughout the tournament, they played very well, they were protagonists. We always looked for the opposing goal. They did a great job, they tried very hard. With their heads held high, we continue on the right path. We are sad. I want them to hold their heads up and leave with pride,” said Néstor Lorenzo at the press conference.
James Rodriguez was named the best player of the Copa America, but his expression on receiving the award showed that it was just a consolation. The dressing room fell silent after a defeat from which they will have to recover quickly to face the qualifiers again. “We have just started, I hope we play the final again soon, I hope we qualify for the World Cup. I am proud of the boys, they tried hard, they came out with exhausted muscles. We played a very good match and then unusual situations happened. Strange things for both teams. We wanted to maintain the intensity and the referee did not allow it,” added Lorenzo.
Colombia had not reached a Copa America final for 23 years, which made Lautaro Martínez’s goal that dashed their hopes even more painful. The team left with a bitter taste in its mouth, having scoring opportunities and possible penalties not called by Brazilian referee Raphael Claus.
Colombia had not reached a Copa America final for 23 years, which made Lautaro Martínez’s goal that dashed their hopes even more painful. | Photo: COLPRENSA ©
Néstor Lorenzo responded to what Colombia may have lacked: “It is a question with a very ambiguous answer. It was a match where the first to score won. Both teams were exhausted. It was Argentina’s turn. We made mistakes, but I can’t blame the boys for anything.”
2024-07-19 22:31:50
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