Zalazar admits Uruguay's World Cup exit was 'difficult', looks to future tournaments

Rodrigo Zalazar, a midfielder for Sporting CP and a member of the Uruguayan national team, admitted that the team's elimination from the 2026 World Cup group stage was tough. "It was difficult; we obviously expected much more," he stated. The player, who was part of Marcelo Bielsa's squad for the tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, reflected on Uruguay's performance.

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It was difficult; we obviously expected much more.

"The Celeste has a great team, with very good players who play for the best clubs in the world, but, well, it can happen, it's football," Zalazar said, commenting on their disappointing World Cup showing. He did not play any minutes in the tournament, where Uruguay drew with Saudi Arabia and Cabo Verde before losing to Spain. Zalazar, who is of Spanish-Uruguayan heritage, emphasized the need to focus on future tournaments.

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The Celeste has a great team, with very good players who play for the best clubs in the world, but, well, it can happen, it's football.

"Now we just have to work to prepare for the next World Cup and also the Copa América," he added. Zalazar, who has seven caps for Uruguay, also conveyed his gratitude to former coach Marcelo Bielsa. "I always say I am very grateful to Bielsa because he was the one who gave me the opportunity to debut with the national team, which I believe is the greatest thing for any player, to represent their country," he said.

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Now we just have to work to prepare for the next World Cup and also the Copa América.

Zalazar was in Málaga to attend the inauguration of a pilates center with his wife. He expressed his fondness for the city, noting his father's strong ties to it and his family's intention to live there in the future. He also celebrated Málaga's promotion to LaLiga EA Sports, expressing surprise at the team's struggles in recent years but satisfaction with their eventual success. "It's crazy, I hope they stay in the First Division for many, many years," he concluded.

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I always say I am very grateful to Bielsa because he was the one who gave me the opportunity to debut with the national team, which I believe is the greatest thing for any player, to represent their country.