Merentiel’s agent slams Bielsa ahead of World Cup | OneFootball

Just 96 days before the start of the 2026 World Cup, the Uruguayan National Team is still unable to find institutional peace. Amid uncertainty over the final squad list for the group that “La Celeste” will share with Spain, Saudi Arabia, and Cape Verde, a new criticism has erupted regarding Marcelo Bielsa’s management.

The complaint from “La Bestia”

Marcelo Tejera, representative of Miguel Merentiel, expressed his frustration over the limited opportunities the Boca Juniors striker has received during the tenure of the coach from Rosario. “If it’s about Miguel’s performance, we’re waiting for the call-up; but if it’s about what Bielsa has shown, he doesn’t really consider him. I’m realistic: whether playing well or just so-so… he’s only been called up once,” Tejera fired in an interview with Carve Deportiva.

The current form of the striker in Argentine football has not been enough to convince the coach. To date, Merentiel has only accumulated 45 official minutes with the senior national team, recorded in the goalless draw against Venezuela in September 2024.

A cycle marked by turbulence

The agent’s criticism adds to a process that, after a blistering start in the Qualifiers, began to unravel following the 2024 Copa América. Between the departure of historic figures like Luis Suárez and Edinson Cavani, and a noticeable drop in the team’s goal-scoring effectiveness, Bielsa’s relationship with the Uruguayan football environment is going through its most tense moment.

For his part, Merentiel himself has maintained a more cautious stance. At the end of 2025, the striker acknowledged with self-criticism: “If I’m not getting the call-up, it must be for a reason. I have to keep working at Boca and correcting things.” However, time is running out and the squad list for the World Cup seems to be closing without “La Bestia” among the main plans of “El Loco.”

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.