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The Cuban football team made a historic move by including two players born outside the country in its roster: Alessio Raballo and Camilo Pinillo, ahead of the matches against Trinidad and Tobago as part of the qualifying process for the Gold Cup 2025.
Raballo, an 18-year-old forward born in Italy and part of Parma's U-19 team, made his debut with Torino in Serie A before being recently transferred to his current club; while Pinillo (20) is a tall center-back born in Belgium, the son of a Cuban father, competing with the Lierse Kempenzonen reserve team in the Second Division of his home country.
According to the platform GolCuba on YouTube, the last time a football player not born in Cuba participated was in the Pan American Games in Winnipeg 1967, through an Angolan named Antonio, who was studying on the island at that time and competed in national tournaments.
The schedule is now set: the first leg will be played on March 21 at the Antonio Maceo Stadium in Santiago de Cuba, and the return leg will take place on March 25 at the Ato Boldon Stadium, home of the Soca Warriors.
According to the digital site JIT, in the last match between both teams, Cuba drew at home and suffered a defeat on the road, which constituted the only setback for the Caribbean Lions in the 2024 Concacaf Nations League at the A level and marked the relegation of the team from the largest of the Antilles.
Now, the winner of this match will directly qualify for the Gold Cup 2025, representing a chance for redemption for the Cubans, despite facing a high-quality opponent.
The call-up includes the following players:
Raico Arrozarena
Ismel Morgado
Yurdi Hodelín
Alejandro Delgado
Karel Pérez
Carlos Vázquez
Yosel Piedra
Dariel Morejón
Elvis Casanova
Camilo Pinillo
Pedro "Cueto" Bravo
Karel Espino
Yunior Yuri Pérez
Romario Torres
Angel Rodríguez King
Christian Flores
Anier Casanova
Yasnier Matos
William Pozo
Daniel "Filungo" Díaz
Alessio Raballo
Onel Hernández
Maykel Reyes
D.T. Yunielys Castillo
The incorporation of Raballo and Pinillo symbolizes a renewed commitment to international talent and the diversification of the team, opening a new chapter for Cuban football on its journey towards the 2025 Gold Cup.
Frequently Asked Questions about the call for football players born outside of Cuba
What does the call-up of footballers born outside of Cuba for the national team mean?
The call for footballers born outside of Cuba represents a historic step to diversify and strengthen the talent of the national team. By including Alessio Raballo and Camilo Pinillo, the team aims to enhance its performance in international competitions such as the qualifying process for the 2025 Gold Cup.
Who are Alessio Raballo and Camilo Pinillo, the footballers called up by Cuba?
Alessio Raballo is an 18-year-old forward born in Italy who has played for Parma's U-19 team and made his debut with Torino in Serie A. Camilo Pinillo, a 20-year-old center-back born in Belgium, plays for the Lierse Kempenzonen reserve team. Both players have Cuban roots and are part of the national team's strategy to incorporate international talent.
Why is the match between Cuba and Trinidad and Tobago significant?
The match against Trinidad and Tobago is crucial because the winner will qualify directly for the 2025 Gold Cup. This tournament represents an important opportunity for Cuba to redeem itself after its relegation in the 2024 Concacaf Nations League.
When and where will the matches between Cuba and Trinidad and Tobago be played?
The first leg will be played on March 21 at the Antonio Maceo Stadium in Santiago de Cuba, and the return leg will take place on March 25 at the Ato Boldon Stadium, home of the Soca Warriors. These matches will determine the qualifier for the 2025 Gold Cup.
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