Edwin Cardona clears up rumours about Boca, Colombia, his injury and doping

During the last transfer window, teams from different parts of America asked about Edwin Cardona’s situation, who at the time was a free agent. One of those clubs was Boca Juniors and it was said that when he was in Dubai he almost signed a contract to join the Argentinean team. In the end he went to Xolos.

Journalist Pilar Velasquez had Cardona as a guest on her Podcast where they talked about everything, including his hand injury and the accusations of him doping made by another journalist.

The 27-year-old could make his debut with Tijuana this Friday and he admitted that Juan Carlos Osorio tried to convince him to sign with Atletico Nacional, where he started his career. He is now happy in Mexico where he has already triumphed with Pachuca and Monterrey.

How did you end up in Tijuana?

“It came out of nowhere, the president called me and talked about the project. I think God had this planned for me, my family and my career.

What happened with your hand injury?

“The person who has the pictures or videos of the motorcycle or whatever they say it happened then they should show them. People can talk and speculate things but at the end of the day my family and I are the ones that know what really happened. I am at peace. I was riding in a motorcycle with my son when suddenly someone driving recklessly passed me and my son was about to fall off. That is when I reacted and when I grabbed him I injured my hand badly.”

How severe was the injury and did you get surgery?

“Yes I had to get surgery and after three days I was already training and running. I only had to cover my hand when I took a shower. I am in the best shape of my career. I have never been so prepared and now all my focus is on playing and showing the world what I can do on the pitch.

The hand injury prevented you from joining Boca?

“Everything was set with Boca Juniors and the hand injury had nothing to do with me not signing with them at the end. We talked a lot with the bosses, we even talked about my contract but in the end nothing happened and these are things that happen in soccer. I had told Riquelme I wanted to play for them and he said they had other players in mind as well. We know how the economy of the country is and at the end nothing happened. I have a good relationship with Roman and he even congratulated me when I signed with Xolos. At some point I want to go back to Boca Juniors.”

In Mexico a journalist started a rumour of a doping case, anything you want to say?

“I have nothing to say about that. We know who the journalist is and what he said. I talked to my lawyer and we will make this a judicial case so that person better be ready to back up what he said about me. I hope that person is listening and I will use all the power of the law to clear my name and make this journalist pay for his lies.”

Did you have offers from Colombian teams?

Yes, I had two offers. One of them was from Atletico Nacional, the team that I love, where I started my career and that is now being coached by Juan Carlos Osorio. We talked and they were very sincere with me. We talked about the offer with my family but in the end we couldn’t reach an agreement with the club. I want to go back and hopefully at some point in my life that happens.

Do you want to return to Colombia's national team?

“I know that I can make it to the Copa America this summer and I will do everything I can in the field to get that call. I have not been in contact with the head coach but if I play well here then they will contact me and my desire is to return.