Aston Villa striker Jhon Durán represented Colombia in recent World Cup qualifier defeats against Uruguay and Ecuador. Following Colombia’s 1-0 loss to Ecuador, Durán addressed the media in the mixed zone, where his behavior drew significant criticism.
Reports from Colombia have alleged that the 21-year-old got into a verbal altercation with journalists. He has been accused of arrogance and making dismissive, immature remarks in response to questions about the national team’s performance.
During the post-match interaction, when asked about Colombia’s performance, Durán reportedly responded, “And why aren’t you a coach? From the outside, you can see the spaces and talk a lot. We have to go in and play to see how things are.” This comment sparked backlash from members of the media, with several journalists publicly criticizing his attitude.
One notable critique came from journalist Iván Mejía, who claimed that Durán’s behavior could lead to trouble. Mejía remarked, “If he behaves this rude without winning anything, the aggrandisement is going to crash him. In England, his teammates can’t stand him.”
Another journalist, Adolfo Pérez, expressed a similar sentiment. He suggested that Durán’s attitude was hindering his growth, stating, “There’s still time for someone to tell Durán to stop believing he’s Cristiano Ronaldo. If they keep telling him that his attitude inside and outside is fine because it’s rebellion, he’s not going to grow. He’s a long way from being what he’s supposed to be.”
Additionally, a commentator from Caracol Radio emphasized the need for the young player to receive constructive feedback rather than constant validation. The message was that Durán requires guidance and advice to help him mature both as a player and as a person.
Overall, these criticisms highlight concerns about Durán’s temperament and suggest that his current attitude could hinder his development if not addressed.