James Rodríguez finds himself in a tricky spot with São Paulo. Despite expectations, he was left out of the lineup for the Supercopa Rei match against Palmeiras and opted not to accompany the team to Belo Horizonte.
Despite his absence from the game, the club extended an invitation for him to join the team, similar to the one given to Nestor, Igor Vinicius, and Luan, who were sidelined due to injuries or not being selected for matches. Unlike the others who accepted the invitation, James remained silent.
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It’s notable that even Muricy Ramalho, who typically does not travel with the team, is present with them during this pivotal time in the season.
Since joining São Paulo amid much fanfare last year, James has yet to meet the high expectations set for him. His name was not included in the Campeonato Paulista roster, casting doubt on his future at the club.
Lucas Moura’s participation is also uncertain
On Friday, Lucas was absent from team practice, working on his own instead. However, images from Saturday’s session showed him practicing with his teammates.
Lucas experienced thigh pain during the team’s first game of the year against Santo André, which led him to miss the following two matches. Coach Thiago Carpini downplayed the severity of the injury, suggesting it wasn’t a major concern.
Lucas returned to play against Corinthians but quickly felt discomfort in the same area. Carpini had prepared for this possibility, having Galoppo and Ferreirinha ready to step in during the warm-up, yet Lucas stayed on until halftime as planned by the technical staff.
Before the next game, Lucas will undergo one last assessment to determine his readiness. If he’s unable to play, Carpini is likely to choose either Galoppo or Ferreirinha to start.
In an interview with globoesporte.com, Lucas expressed his eagerness to play, saying, “Scoring a goal at Mineirão in such a crucial match would be fantastic. I’m hopeful my first goal will come, but what matters most is securing the title for our team.” This sentiment highlights his commitment and the importance he places on team success over individual achievements.
