Julio Bueno to Receive First Call-Up to the Armenia National Team

Colombian defender José Junio Julio Bueno of Ararat-Armenia will receive his first call-up to the Armenia national team. This was announced by head coach Yeghishe Melikyan during a podcast with Karen Rafaelyan.

The 29-year-old footballer will be included in the squad invited to the upcoming national team training camp ahead of the friendly matches.

The Armenia national team will play two friendly matches:

• March 26 — vs United Arab Emirates

• March 29 — vs Belarus

Bueno has been playing in the Armenian championship since 2021. After five seasons in the Armenian Premier League, the defender obtained Armenian citizenship, allowing him to represent the national team.

Thus, Bueno will become the third Colombian player to represent Armenia after Wbeymar Angulo and Jordy Monroy Ararat (although the latter has Armenian roots).

Yeghishe Melikyan’s Explanation

Armenia national team head coach Yeghishe Melikyan, speaking about the defender’s call-up, noted that naturalization is common in modern football.

“There have always been naturalized players in various national teams around the world — it’s a common practice. When you get a passport and play for a national team, that is normal. The Armenia national team has also had such players before, but such call-ups must always be justified, not simply made.”

Melikyan emphasized that the decision to call up Bueno is related to the need to strengthen the depth of the defensive line.

“We have good young defenders — they are our future, but they are still too young to always help the team. They need another two or three years to become the backbone of the national team. I’m not calling Bueno so that Sergey Muradyan and Styopa Mkrtchyan won’t play, but I need a player on the bench who can come on at any moment and complete the task.”

According to the coach, the defender’s experience and physical qualities can be useful for the team.

“He has experience, he’s 29 years old. He can be useful in aerial duels — he is very tall and fast. In short, we need such a player, a resource.”

The coach also noted that Bueno could become an important alternative if the main defenders get injured.

“For example, if Sergey Muradyan and Styopa Mkrtchyan get injured — who should play? If not Bueno, then there is no one else.”

Melikyan said these words during the podcast.

Possible Debutants from the Armenian League

The head coach also said that other new players from the Armenian championship may appear in the national team. Among the candidates he mentioned:

• Karlen Hovhannisyan (Pyunik)

• Narek Hovhannisyan (BKMA)

Earlier, a list of 10 legionnaires called up for the March matches was published. The list of players from the Armenian championship will be announced later.