Just three months after announcing he was taking a break from the Jamaica national team in an explosive rant, Leon Bailey was included on the team’s 26-man roster for the Copa América.
But that doesn’t actually appear to mean the Aston Villa star will play for the Reggae Boyz at the upcoming tournament.
Just hours after Jamaica head coach Heimir Hallgrímsson included Bailey on his squad, the winger posted a two-word message on his Instagram account.
“Misleading information.”
That was quickly followed up with another Instagram post, this time from Bailey’s agent Craig Butler.
“Leon Bailey has stated that he is taking a break from the Jamaica national team for his mental health and to spend time with his family. His position has not changed,” Butler wrote.
“We kindly ask that you respect his wishes at this time. Posts made on social media that are surfacing at this time is a misrepresentation of his position. We wish the Reggae Boyz well in the Copa America competition and he, along with his management team, will continue to support the Jamaica National Team at all levels … change must come…Respect and One Love for all.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/C8JAec9O9Uw/?hl=en
Hallgrímsson suspended Bailey for Nations League matches in March after the winger missed curfew during a November camp.
Bailey took exception to the suspension — and basically everything else related to the Jamaican team and federation — as he announced he wouldn’t be returning to the national team in a brutally honest interview on the Let’s Be Honest podcast.
“A lot of people don’t know that most of the time, I book my own flights to come and represent Jamaica because they are very unprofessional,” explained Bailey. “You’re getting your flight details [at] 11 p.m. to travel the next day. [The Jamaican federation] doesn’t pay us. I can’t remember the last time I received a dollar from the national team. It’s very unprofessional, in ways you can’t even imagine.”
Bailey went on to say that representing Jamaica was something of a gift he felt he was giving to his country.
“Jamaica’s national team is not doing anything for me,” he charged. “Jamaica’s national team is not going to give me exposure. Playing for Jamaica is not going to make Real Madrid call me. I am shining light on the national team by playing overseas and representing as a Jamaican all the time.”
With that as the backdrop, it was something of a surprise when Hallgrímsson released his squad for the Copa América on Wednesday night and Bailey’s name was on the list.
Missing Bailey will be a major blow for the Reggae Boyz. The 26-year-old just finished an excellent campaign with Villa, tallying 14 goals and 14 assists in all competitions.
Elsewhere, goalkeeper and captain Andre Blake was named to the squad despite a knee injury that appears likely to rule him out for at least some of the tournament.
Jamaica has been drawn into Group B at the Copa América, where it will face Mexico, Venezuela and Ecuador.
Jamaica Copa America roster
Goalkeepers: Andre Blake (Philadelphia Union), Jahmali Waite (El Paso Locomotive FC), Coniah Boyce-Clarke (Reading), Shaquan Davis (Mount Pleasant)
Defenders: Damion Lowe (Philadelphia Union), Michael Hector (Charlton Athletic), Amari’i Bell (Luton Town), Richard King (Cavalier), Dexter Lembikisa (Hearts), Greg Leigh (Oxford United), Di’Shon Bernard (Sheffield Wednesday), Ethan Pinnock (Brentford), Wesley Harding (Millwall), Jon Bell (Seattle Sounders)
Midfielders: Bobby Decordova-Reid (Fulham), Kevon Lambert (Real Salt Lake), Alex Marshall (Portmore United), Joel Latibeaudiere (Coventry City), Kasey Palmer (Coventry City), Karoy Anderson (Charlton Athletic).
Forwards: Shamar Nicholson (Clermont), Leon Bailey (Aston Villa), Michail Antonio (West Ham United), Demarai Gray (Al Ettifaq), Renaldo Cephas (Ankaragucu), Kaheim Dixon (Arnett Gardens).
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