Sadness invaded Professor Reinaldo Rueda at the end of the match between Honduras and Costa Rica, who could not contain his tears.
This during the press conference after confirming the elimination of the Honduras National Team from the World Cup.
The 0-0 draw on the last day against Costa Rica sealed the fate of the ‘H’, leaving it with 9 points, two below Haiti, which won the coveted spot.
This result, which also removed the Ticos, is being classified as a resounding failure on Honduran soil, given the great expectations generated around the process.
Visibly affected, the Colombian strategist shared his deep pain and the disappointment that overwhelms the coaching staff and the players.
“It is difficult to assimilate all this, it is very difficult to assimilate this,” Rueda expressed with a broken voice.
The coach regretted that all the effort of 27 months of work had vanished “because of one goal, because of those imponderables of the game.”
The frustration of the moment was palpable, evidencing the weight of responsibility and the unfulfilled dream.
Through tears, teacher Reinaldo Rueda spoke about Honduras’ elimination from the World Cup
Rueda also made reference to the impact that this elimination will have on the future of some of his team, mentioning the case of experienced players.
“There, then, was the case of the big three, Rommel, Andy… Eric himself, who for them is practically completing his sporting cycle,” said the coach.
His initial intention to retire through the “front door” of a World Cup has been frustrated, leaving a bitter taste in the mouths of those who love this sport and have dedicated their lives to the national team.
Despite the hard emotional blow, Professor Rueda concluded with a message of resignation and the need to look forward.
While the players will rejoin their clubs to “mentally cleanse” themselves and continue competing, the coaching staff must face this duel with integrity.
“One would like to continue because this is the passion, because one needs the field,” said the coach, concluding that in the face of this painful reality, the only thing left to do is “give time” to heal and rethink the path.
#Sports | Through tears, the Colombian Reinaldo Rueda, technical director of the Honduras National Team, painfully accepted being eliminated from the 2026 World Cup and announced that the great figures of ‘Los Catrachos’ Andy Najar, Edrick Menjívar and Romell Quioto, culminated… pic.twitter.com/GEB0sq8Eni
— EL MERIDIANO (@elmeridiano_co) November 19, 2025
More sports news