Colombia’s coach Néstor Lorenzo has voiced disapproval regarding the extended halftime planned for the Copa America final in order to accommodate a concert by singer Shakira. The Colombian pop star, known for her previous relationship with Barcelona and Spain’s Gerard Piqué, will be the first musical act to perform during halftime at the upcoming match between Argentina and Colombia. This unique halftime show, including the setup and clearing of the field, will extend the break from the typical 15 minutes to 25 minutes.
Lorenzo expressed his opinion that the halftime duration should adhere to regulations like any other game, citing incidents from earlier in the tournament where teams faced sanctions for late returns to the field after halftime. He highlighted the potential adverse impact on player’s physical condition due to cooling down excessively during the prolonged break.
Colombia is vying for their second Copa America championship, aiming to replicate their victory on home soil in 2001. The team enters the final on a remarkable 28-game unbeaten streak, the longest ongoing streak in men’s international soccer. Meanwhile, Argentina, led by the acclaimed Lionel Messi, seeks to secure their record 16th Copa America title.