Pablo Milad addresses Marcelino Núñez departure and Chilean football renewal

Pablo Milad, president of the ANFP, has addressed the controversial departure of midfielder Marcelino Núñez from the Chilean national team. Núñez left the squad during a tour in North America to return to England and rejoin his club, Ipswich Town. Milad described the exit as a “personal decision” but noted that it seemed “strange” given his knowledge of the player. Milad added that Núñez owes an explanation primarily to head coach Nicolás Córdova rather than the federation.

In a related discussion regarding the state of Chilean football, Milad criticized the “Generación Dorada” for allegedly limiting the progression of new talent due to a lack of foundational development. This sentiment was supported by former player Jorge Aravena, who agreed that the lack of consistent renewal in the squad suggests a failure in long-term structural work. Aravena noted that while some clubs maintain strong youth programs, the overall national transition has been insufficient.