Cuadrado, 37, Eyes 2026 World Cup After Joining Pisa

Former Chelsea star Juan Cuadrado has outlined his goal of playing at the 2026 World Cup next year - when he will be 38 years old - after joining Serie A newboys Pisa.

The Colombian has had a lengthy career and will be known to English football fans for his brief stint at Chelsea between 2015 and 2017, where he featured just 15 times but still finished with a Premier League winners' medal. He was also part of the team that won the League Cup in 2015.

The winger joined Juventus after leaving Chelsea before spells with Inter Milan and Atlanta in the last two seasons.

He was eventually released by the latter club despite making 32 appearances across all competitions last season and has now lined up his next challenge.

The 37-year-old has decided to join up with newly-promoted Pisa, who are back in the Italian top flight for the first time in 34 years, having finished second in Serie B last season.

The team are coached by former AC Milan and Fiorentina star Alberto Gilardino and Cuadrado believes playing for Pisa will give him a chance of playing for Colombia at the World Cup next year, which will be held across North America, despite being close to his forties.

"I am ready for this great challenge, I am excited to continue my career in a country that is basically home. “I spoke to the club, the coach, I also have the dream of battling for a place at the World Cup.

"I hope to get to play more regularly, they convinced me, and I said yes straight away,” continued Cuadrado.

"I feel very good, very strong, I think the coach and staff will help me reach my peak. When I am 100 per cent fit, I can still give a lot to this team."

Cuadrado will be hoping to add to the 116 caps he already has for the Colombia national team so far in his career.

That makes him the joint-second highest capped star for Colombia - tied with James Rodriguez. The record for the most caps belongs to goalkeeper David Ospina, who has 128 caps.

Cuadrado has made a total of 568 appearances in his football career, which started with local Colombian side Independiente Medellin before spending a majority of the rest of his career in Italy.

He has played for Udinese, Fiorentina and Lecce before his long association with Juventus later in his career, where he played 314 times.

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