In a move that has stirred both excitement and debate across Colombian football, veteran striker Dayro Moreno has been called up to the national team for the last two crucial World Cup qualifying matches. At nearly 40 years old, Moreno’s return to the yellow jersey is as much a testament to his enduring prowess as it is a reflection on the current state of Colombian goal-scoring talent. With the national team mired in a six-game winless streak, coach Néstor Lorenzo is banking on experience—and perhaps a bit of nostalgia—to help secure Colombia’s spot at the 2026 World Cup.
Colombian football has long faced a shortage of reliable number nines. The recent dominance of seasoned scorers like Carlos Bacca, winner of the Golden Boot in both the 2023-II and 2024-I seasons, Hugo Rodallega (2025-I), and Dayro Moreno himself (2022-I), underscores the dearth of young, homegrown forwards. Clubs have increasingly turned to foreign imports or brought back veteran nationals who’ve seen their value dip abroad, rather than invest in developing youth. The result? A local league where the art of goal-scoring is often left to those in the twilight of their careers.
Moreno’s call-up came as something of a surprise, not least to the man himself. The news broke while he was aboard a plane returning to Bogotá with Once Caldas, fresh off a 2-1 victory in the Copa Colombia round of 16 on August 28, 2025. "When we left the hotel for the airport, everyone was asking me, even my teammates. The things of God, the coincidences: we touched down in Bogotá and everyone on the plane applauded. I asked why, and it was because of the call-up," Moreno recounted on Win Sports’ Saque Largo. The moment encapsulated the sense of destiny—and perhaps redemption—surrounding his return.
For Moreno, this latest chapter is the culmination of a remarkable renaissance. After a low point in his career at Oriente Petrolero in Bolivia, where he managed just four goals in 17 matches and became embroiled in a nightclub incident with fans, many believed his days at the top were numbered. Yet, his return to Colombia in early 2022 with Atlético Bucaramanga saw him net 20 goals in a single year, clinching the Golden Boot for the 2022-I season with 13 strikes. That form earned him a move back to Once Caldas, where he’s since shattered records to become the all-time top Colombian league scorer—an eye-popping 370 official goals, with some counts putting the tally at 373.
Despite his undeniable knack for finding the net, Moreno’s national team career has been a rollercoaster. He debuted for Colombia’s senior squad in 2006, after starring in the South American U-20 Championship the previous year. He even scored a memorable goal in a 2-1 win over Argentina at El Campín on November 20, 2007, a moment that still resonates with fans. But his time with the national team has often been overshadowed by off-field controversies and stiff competition from a golden generation of Colombian forwards—Radamel Falcao, Jackson Martínez, and Carlos Bacca among them.
Moreno’s discipline, or lack thereof, has been a sticking point for critics. One columnist remarked, "Dayro Moreno is all that an athlete should not be off the field," referencing his colorful personality and past indiscretions. Yet, supporters argue that his experience and leadership now outweigh youthful indiscretions. José Miguel Rodas, Once Caldas’ former kinesiologist and a close friend, told EL TIEMPO, "The Dayro of today is much more aware of his responsibilities in a squad, knows he must be a positive leader, and while he may not have the same explosive pace, he has a cool head for finishing and a sky-high self-esteem because of his love affair with goals and the fans. He can play until he’s 45."
The debate over Moreno’s selection is emblematic of broader issues in Colombian football. Youth development has lagged, with few strikers emerging from the academy ranks ready to take on international competition. Even in youth national teams, finishing has been a persistent problem. Coaches and club executives, wary of the risks involved in betting on unproven youngsters, have instead favored the tried and tested—often to the detriment of long-term progress. As one observer noted, "There’s less pressure to score in the domestic league, but in a top league like Spain’s, you need more than just confidence." Indeed, while Moreno continues to shine at home, younger talents like ‘Cucho’ Hernández, a 26-year-old regular starter in Spain, represent the future many fans crave.
Coach Néstor Lorenzo’s decision to recall Moreno comes amid mounting pressure from both media and supporters. Some see it as a populist gesture, aimed at appeasing critics during a rough patch for the national side. "It’s an incomprehensible and inconsistent decision," one columnist argued, pointing out that Bacca, nearly 39 and a consummate professional, was never seriously considered for a return despite consecutive Golden Boot wins. The implication: Moreno’s selection owes as much to public sentiment as to tactical necessity.
Yet, there’s no denying the emotional pull of Moreno’s story. The Once Caldas coach had been lobbying for his call-up for some time, stating in a press conference, "Néstor Lorenzo, I invite you to call him up. He’s the top scorer in Colombian football. Give him the pleasure of retiring with the national team. I’m not asking for much, because he deserves it." After being overlooked in June, Moreno’s persistence—and perhaps fate—have finally opened the door for one last shot at glory.
Of course, not all the news is rosy for Colombia’s attacking prospects. Young forward Jhon Jáder Durán, just 21, remains on the outside looking in due to what’s described as unstable and undisciplined behavior. The hope is that he can still find his way, but as things stand, the national team’s hopes rest on the shoulders of a man nearly twice his age.
As Colombia prepares to face Bolivia in Barranquilla on September 4, 2025, all eyes will be on Dayro Moreno. Can the veteran striker deliver the spark the team so desperately needs? With a World Cup ticket on the line and the weight of history behind him, Moreno’s return is more than a footballing curiosity—it’s a symbol of both the challenges and the enduring passion that define Colombian football.
Whether this gamble pays off remains to be seen, but for now, Dayro Moreno stands as a living legend, ready to write a new chapter in his storied career and perhaps, just perhaps, help Colombia find its way back to the world’s biggest stage.
