Jhon Duran, the former Aston Villa striker, has responded to allegations from his home country of Colombia regarding a supposed dressing room incident involving international teammates James Rodriguez and Jefferson Lerma, as well as coach Nestor Lorenzo. Duran firmly stated that “nothing serious happened,” dismissing the claims of a ‘physical altercation’ that surfaced following Colombia’s goalless draw against Peru in a World Cup qualifier.
Amid reports that Duran needed to be restrained by Rodriguez and Lerma, the young forward expressed his gratitude and contentment with his teammates, clarifying that he has no issues with anyone in the squad. He affectionately referred to the veteran players as parental figures, emphasizing the camaraderie within the group. “I have an affinity with Lerma, so I don’t think there’s a need to say that kind of thing,” he said, urging others to refrain from spreading negative rumors.
Rodriguez also weighed in, refuting the claims and expressing the need for the team to remain united. “What fight? That’s false. Everything that’s been said is false,” he stated, reinforcing the importance of positivity within the squad, especially as Colombia aims to improve its performance after five matches without a win.
Duran, who recently transferred to Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr for over £60 million, departed from the national team due to injury just before their upcoming qualifier against Argentina. His situation highlights the pressures that come with representing one’s country and managing expectations, which is compounded by recent team performance.
As the Colombian national team seeks to break their winless streak, the focus now shifts to unity and resilience moving forward. It is encouraging to see players advocating for teamwork and support in the face of adversity, which could serve as a vital motivational factor in their upcoming matches.