Argentine coach Néstor Lorenzo receives honorary Colombian citizenship

Néstor Lorenzo, the Argentine coach leading Colombia's national football team, has been awarded honorary Colombian citizenship. The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism announced the distinction, highlighting Lorenzo's leadership, commitment, and contributions to Colombian football.

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Colombia, the country of beauty, in recognition of your leadership, commitment, and contribution to national football, confers this honorary distinction upon Néstor Gabriel Lorenzo, Technical Director of the Senior Men's Colombian National Team.

The timing of the announcement, just before Colombia's World Cup round of 16 match against Ghana, was noted by the ministry. They stated that the recognition was made because "no foreign coach has ever led a national team to be world champion," and that Professor Néstor Lorenzo received this honorific citizenship on June 11, 2026.

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Never has a foreign coach led a national team to be world champion, which is why, since June 11, 2026, Professor Néstor Lorenzo received Colombian honorary citizenship.

While official citizenship processes in Colombia are handled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Commerce clarified that this is a symbolic honor. "This is an honorary distinction granted by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism of Colombia as symbolic recognition. It does not constitute the granting or recognition of a nationality, official citizenship, title, or migratory status, nor does it generate legal or administrative effects," the ministry stated.

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We have been working towards a goal for a month, and now that there is talk of superstitions and football 'curses,' it is the best time to make this announcement.

The recognition comes amidst a backdrop of football superstitions, with reports of a Ghanaian witch doctor performing rituals against Lorenzo's team ahead of the match.

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This is an honorary distinction granted by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism of Colombia as symbolic recognition. It does not constitute the granting or recognition of a nationality, official citizenship, title, or migratory status, nor does it generate legal or administrative effects.