Quintero finds form and fitness at just the right time as Colombia prepare for World Cup

One of the world’s most talented players may have found form, fitness and focus at just the right time to book a place on the plane to Russia.

As a 21-year-old, Juan Fernando Quintero went to Brazil 2014. A bright hope of Colombia’s squad – he had been the star player of the previous year’s Under-20 World Cup – he was now the back-up to James Rodriguez, and he confirmed his promise with goal against Ivory Coast.

Squat and left-footed, some compared him to Lionel Messi. It was unfair and not strictly accurate. Quintero has some, but not all of the Messi skill set. He does not have the same turn of acceleration or the same dribbling skills. But he has a magnificent left foot. And as a passer of the ball he has few equals. He has an extraordinary ability to see the pass, an inner geometry that allows him to find angles that are not visible to the normal naked eye.

Talent, though, is never enough on its own. After a season in Italy with Pescara he joined Porto in 2013 - and in Portugal he appeared to fall out of love with his profession. He put on weight. There were even rumours that he might give up the game and embark on a musical career.

But the build-up towards another World Cup would seem to have done wonders – along with a loan move to a club that could not have been more perfect for getting such a player back on track.

Argentine giants River Plate have a tradition going back over many decades for cerebral attacking football – the very kind that Quintero is capable of generating. And coach Marcelo Gallardo, a former international playmaker himself, is an ideal man for turning a key in Quintero’s mind. He has not used the Colombian in every game. But he has given Quintero a platform from which to push his World Cup hopes.

And Quintero’s hopes have risen as a consequence of a colleague’s moment of folly. While he wandered in the wilderness, Quintero played no part in the World Cup qualification campaign. This opened up space for Edwin Cardona, a taller figure who has also found his way to Argentina, with River’s great rivals Boca Juniors.

Cardona can look a little stately, and will never be the most mobile. But he has considerable ability, especially with his long-range shooting. He started eight matches in qualification and came off the bench in another seven, scoring three goals. He had every right to assume that a place in Russia was all but guaranteed.

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But then last November he made a racist gesture during a friendly against South Korea. FIFA banned him for five games – opening up space in the squad for the return of Quintero.

Playing his first international in some two and a half years, Quintero came off the bench in the March friendly away to France. Colombia had fought back from two goals down to draw level.  Quintero only had ten minutes to show his stuff – but he used them wisely. He began the move that led to the award of a penalty, opening up the field with a trademark pass. And when the referee pointed to the spot, Quintero had no doubts. He picked up the ball and swept it home to complete a morale-boosting win.

Quintero, then, is well and truly back in contention. And his chances were surely boosted still further by last week’s action in the Copa Libertadores. Both he and his club were in action on Colombian soil. Cardona’s form has been patchy all year – the return of Carlos Tevez has probably not helped, and nor has an injury problem. He only came on for the last few minutes of Boca’s 1-1 draw with Junior of Barranquilla.

Meanwhile in Bogota, Quintero ran the show for River Plate against Santa Fe. He set up the only goal of the game – one which qualifies River for the knockout stage – with a driving run followed by a magnificently timed pass to centre=forward Lucas Pratto. Colombia coach Jose Pekerman was surely watching and paying close attention.