Colombian soccer star Quintero, who is currently playing for Shenzhen in the Chinese Super League, is expected to finish his career in the Chinese Super League in January next year, according to reports. Quintero's move comes as he seeks a club that will allow him to participate in the national team's matches while maintaining his best competitive form.
Recall that in March, Shenzhen officially announced that Jintero had joined the team for a transfer fee of 5.9 million euros, and he immediately became the "king" of the transfer market in the Chinese Super League (CSL) that season. Since entering the Chinese Super League, Jintero has appeared in 14 matches in the first phase, including 11 starts, and contributed 6 assists.
Quintero has a deep affection for the national team and is eager to represent the Colombian national team in the next World Cup. However, in May of this year, the Colombian national team tried to recruit him, but due to the epidemic prevention and control and other factors could not make it. Faced with this predicament, he once felt difficult to balance the national team and club matches. He said, "If I go back to Colombia, it will be hard to come back for the Shenzhen team this year. I'm happy to stay now, and I look forward to helping the Shenzhen team play well with a single-minded focus."
Despite the fact that the decision was not easy to make, Quintero remains optimistic. He said in an interview, "If I play in the Chinese Super League with my technical characteristics, the Colombian national team will still call me up. What I expect most now is that both myself and the Colombian national team can achieve good results."
Quintero was recently named to the national team roster again and traveled with the team. He was given two starts in the three World Cup South American qualifiers played earlier this month. Next up, Colombia will face Brazil on the evening of Oct. 10, local time.
Aside from the national team reasons, the disjointed nature of the Chinese Super League fixtures this season is also a big reason why Quintero wants to leave. Due to the national team fixtures, the Chinese Super League is now entering an off-season of about 4 months or so. For foreigners who wish to maintain their competitive status, such a schedule is undoubtedly unfavorable.
According to Colombian media reports, Quintero has been linked with Colombian side Independiente Medellin, Argentine side River Plate and Brazilian side Gremio. Medellín Independiente and River Plate are both his old clubs, and both teams are "very interested" in his return. He is currently training with Independiente Medellín to maintain his form.
Shenzhen's contract with Quintero is set to expire at the end of next year, but no official announcement has been made as to whether or not the player will return to the team as soon as the season is over. What is certain is that it would be a big loss for both the club and the Chinese Super League if the Colombian returns to the team. However, he is not a special case, as former CSL foreigners such as Long Dong and Kim Min Ja have also left the Premier League for similar reasons, and this could still happen in the future.
