The exodus of Cuban athletes has added a new chapter with the recent decision by goalkeeper Leonardo Hierrezuelo to leave the Cuban national futsal team during their preparation in Spain for the 2024 Uzbekistan World Cup.
According to Playoffmagazine, the 22-year-old from Havana left the team after playing as a substitute in friendly matches against Portugal and Ukraine, which ended in 9-0 and 7-0 defeats, respectively.
Hierrezuelo was part of the island's team that secured qualification at the 2024 Nicaragua Pre-World Cup. In fact, the athlete celebrated the achievement on the social media platform Facebook.
Just a few days earlier, the team had already suffered the loss of another young player, Harold Aguilera (22), who left the team in the Portuguese city of Viseu. Aguilera, originally from Camagüey and known for his role as a closer, left after a friendly match against the Ukrainian team, according to specialized media reports.
As the team awaits more information, they will face the world championship with two notable absences, which could significantly impact their performance.
This departure adds to the ongoing exodus of Cuban athletes over the past three years. Evidence of this was seen when 21 athletes competed under different flags at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
In April, Cuban footballer Lázaro Castro left the futsal team that was attending the CONCACAF Pre-World Cup Championship in Managua, Nicaragua. Following the departure of the 27-year-old from Pinar del Río, the national team was left with 13 athletes, as reported by journalist Andy Lans on social media.
In November of last year, two other Cuban futsal players, Ernesto Duanes and Bárbaro Shelier, left the national team in Costa Rica during a preparation match. Additionally, in 2022, Mario Planchet, Christian Temprano, and Leonardo Acevedo made the same decision during the UNCAF FIFA Forward U-20 Futsal Tournament held in Guatemala.
Understanding the Exodus of Cuban Athletes
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers to help understand the ongoing exodus of Cuban athletes, particularly in the context of recent events.
Why are so many Cuban athletes leaving their national teams?
Many Cuban athletes leave their national teams due to political and economic reasons, seeking better opportunities and freedom in other countries.
How does the departure of key players impact the Cuban national futsal team's performance?
The departure of key players significantly weakens the team's overall performance and morale, making it challenging to compete at international levels.
What events have seen the most Cuban athlete defections?
Events such as the Olympics and international futsal tournaments have seen the most defections, with athletes leaving their teams during or after these competitions.