MARCELO BIELSA’S reign as Uruguay boss has never been short of drama.
But few fallouts have been quite as bizarre as the one involving Agustin Canobbio – a player who was effectively banished after being criticised for the way he sat in a team meeting.
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Agustin Canobbio celebrates after scoring the team’s second goal against Cabo Verde Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
Maxi Araujo was on target, but Uruguay only managed a draw Credit: Reuters
Now, Canobbio is back in the fold and on the scoresheet at the World Cup.
The winger played in Uruguay‘s 2-2 draw against Cape Verde in Miami tonight.
La Celeste fell behind to Kevin Pina’s free-kick before Maximiliano Araujo’s second in as many games levelled the scores.
Canobbio then put the South Americans ahead right on half-time, but the Blue Sharks came roaring back in the second half as Helio Varela grabbed an equaliser for the World Cup’s surprise package so far.
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Canobbio, who nearly fired in a stoppage time winner, didn’t play for his country for almost two years after a remarkable fall out with Bielsa that became one of the defining stories of the manager’s turbulent spell in charge.
Bielsa reportedly took exception to Canobbio resting his feet on the lower bars of a chair during a meeting.
The former Leeds boss accused him of being disrespectful and even questioned his upbringing and family education.
The incident came shortly after Bielsa had publicly criticised Canobbio over a defeat to Ecuador, and their relationship quickly deteriorated.
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The Athletic later reported how tensions escalated further during the 2024 Copa America, when Canobbio was made to train with a group of under-20 players rather than the senior squad.
Uruguay icon Luis Suarez blasted the treatment.
Speaking after retiring from international football, Suarez said: “I support Agustin Canobbio in what happened. Bielsa made him do exercises with the players who were there as sparring partners for several days. That’s a complete lack of respect.”
Suarez also claimed players had reached breaking point under Bielsa’s methods.
He claimed: “There were situations that occurred at the Copa America that hurt to see.
“The players are going to reach a limit and explode.”
The former Liverpool and Barcelona striker, who was in attendance for Uruguay’s clash with Cape Verde, later softened his stance and admitted he regretted some of his comments before offering to return for the World Cup – a request Bielsa politely declined.
But the fractures inside the squad have never completely disappeared.
Suarez has publicly criticised Bielsa Credit: AFP
Bielsa’s Uruguay face an uphill task to struggle to qualify for the knockout stages Credit: Getty
Canobbio did not play for Uruguay again for 20 months following the Copa America in the summer of 2024.
Only after apologising was he welcomed back into the national-team set-up in March.
His story forms part of a wider pattern during Bielsa’s controversial reign.
Veteran midfielder Matias Vecino quit international football before the Copa America, while Nahitan Nandez was reportedly informed via text message that he would not be going to the World Cup.
Amid all the controversy, Uruguay have had an underwhelming campaign with two draws against Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde.
Next up is Spain in Guadalajara next weekend.
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