Marcelo Bielsa delivered his first squad in Uruguay without Suárez or Cavani

Marcello Bielsa He handed in his first squad in charge of the Uruguayan national team to face the matches of the FIFA appointment that will be played in June: La Celeste will play against Nicaragua on the 14th, at the Centenario Stadium; and then he will face Cuba, on the 20th, on the same stage. On the payroll there are the great absentees Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani.

Rosario’s coach had explained in his presentation as coach of the Uruguayan team that he would not have taken any decision regarding the “idols” without first talking to them. that meeting with Suarez and Cavani That hasn’t happened yet, so it’s no surprise that Bielsa hasn’t considered them for this call.

However, it is clear that El Loco’s main focus in his first months at the helm of the Uruguayan squad will be to command the inevitable generational change that the Celeste team will face for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in the United States, Mexico and Canada and for the Copa América which takes place in the United States next year.

Bielsa has called up 31 players for his debut in charge of the Uruguayan side in what will be his return to South American football after 12 years as European manager at Athletic Bilbao in Spain; Olympique de Marseille and Lille, France; and Leeds United, England.

In addition to the forwards, Bielsa has not called up other historic players such as Fernando Muslera, Diego Godin (he had already announced his retirement from the national team) e Martin Cáceres.

Nor could he take it into account Ronald Araujo (muscle disorders), good Santiago (three month break due to a tendon injury), Jose Maria Gimenez (knee arthroscopy was performed), Rodrigo Bentancur (recovering from a knee injury), Brian Ocampo (same injury as Bentancur), Ignatius Laquintana (had ankle surgery) e Jonathan Rodriguez (A joint cleaning with lateral meniscus repair was performed).

“In recent months I have generated some (lists), with three players per position, in some cases four, and within that group of 33 or 40 players, in this first experience I will always choose those I know least. Finally, get to know a player The proximity of a training cycle is necessary, I will take advantage of these nine days of June to familiarize myself with those I know less, who I have seen less” explained El Loco in his presentation.