Called up, Cuéllar thanks the Nation for its affection and promises more commitment
Midfielder will be part of the Colombian national team in friendlies leading up to the Copa América
By Lucas Dantas - in
Gustavo Cuéllar received some great news this Monday. On the eve of Wednesday's second Copa Libertadores match against the University Sports League of Quito, the midfielder was called up to the Colombian national team for friendlies against Japan and South Korea, as preparation for the Copa América, which will be held in Brazil in June. The player still needs to secure his spot on the final roster, and being called up now is crucial to achieving that goal.
"I think it's always good to be called up. It's an honor to wear the Colombian national team jersey. I have to do my best there, the same as I do here, to establish myself there. Do what the coach asks of me and try to stay on the team. And with my performance here at Flamengo, I can look for other call-ups," said the number eight, whose immediate goal is the Copa América. "It's a short-term goal. I have to earn my place in the next call-up and give my best. It's a goal I set for myself, and I'm working towards it every day."
Cuéllar has been with Flamengo since 2016. He has played 147 games, including the 2017 state title. With his dedication on the field, the midfielder quickly became a fan favorite during his three years wearing the Manto. The nation, in fact, has consistently called for his call-up to the national team. Cuéllar is very proud and grateful for the affection. "I'm proud to receive the affection of the fans. Obviously, I've achieved this through hard work and sacrifice. Every day here at Flamengo and in the games as well. I always try to give my best on the field for this institution that has given me everything so far."
Before the selection, the Libertadores.
This Wednesday, Flamengo will have the mission of securing its second victory in the national competition. After its debut at altitude against San José, Flamengo will face LDU, who defeated Peñarol 2-0 in their home opener. This will be the first time the teams have met, and a victory will guarantee the top spot in Group D. The current Brazilian runner-up will have a full house to face the Ecuadorians, and for Cuéllar, the squad's experience, combined with the fact that several players have been with the team since 2017, is a significant boost for their Libertadores campaign. And winning the first away game is another plus.
"Flamengo's team has been important. It was clear in previous editions that we struggled to get results away from home. We've already earned our first three points at altitude and shown that we learned from our mistakes in the last Libertadores. Maintaining the core was also very important," said Cuéllar, who also emphasized the importance of foreign players in the squad, especially for an international competition. "We give them feedback on how away games are, and how they work at altitude. We help by explaining these aspects. They're small details, but in the end they make a difference. It's been very important here at Flamengo. The players who were away can help the Brazilian players in matches in the Americas, and that's very important for achieving our goal at the end of the season," he concluded.