Carla Rueda Reflects on a Tough Decision
Carla Rueda offered an interview where she revisited some of the most challenging moments of her volleyball career. The ‘Cotito’ recounted the pain of being left out of the Peruvian national team by then-coach Paco Hervas following an injury sustained before the 2019 Pan American Games.
A Heartbreaking Decision
Despite her injury in the lead-up to Lima 2019, Rueda was determined to recover and compete for a medal. She managed to overcome her physical discomfort, yet the Spanish coach ultimately decided not to include her in the tournament roster.
Rueda shared her emotional response to this decision: “That hurt me more than any injury. My physical pain threshold is high; I even managed without medication after surgery. But the pain I felt from being left out was much stronger. At 28, I reflected on all those years spent with the national team, overcoming injuries, and working with various coaches. No one had ever told me I wasn’t fit enough or that my journey was over. It hurt me a lot,” she expressed in her conversation with Entre Ceja y Ceja.
Feeling Undervalued
Rueda detailed the moment she received the news. A long-time member of the coaching staff, familiar with her from her childhood, was the one to inform her about her exclusion. José Antonio Cáceres conveyed the decision, explaining that she would be temporarily separated from the group due to not being at the same competitive level as her teammates.
“Suddenly, the team had to embark on training tours before Lima 2019. I was called and told they would exclude me because I wasn’t on par with the others. Hearing this from José Antonio, who knew me since childhood, hit me very hard,” she recalled.
Struggling with Acceptance
Although it was Cáceres who delivered the news, the final determination was made by Paco Hervas, who had just joined the national team as head coach. “They told me I wouldn’t travel because I was not at the same level as the group. This was particularly difficult coming from someone new, especially since José Antonio, my long-time coach, had delivered the news,” she reflected.
Support from a Friend
After hearing the news, Rueda left the court visibly shaken. Fortunately, Natalia Málaga, the national team’s coach, was there to support her during this challenging time. She invited Rueda to join training sessions with younger players, helping her stay active and mentally prepared for the future.
“I remember feeling devastated and saw Natalia training with the younger ones. I approached her in tears—she listened and reassured me that the very next day, I would train with her. That made all the difference; I found the strength to get back into training with her support,” Rueda mentioned.
A Painful Experience at Lima 2019
Even after all her efforts, ‘Cotito’ had to watch the Peruvian team compete in the Pan American Games from the stands. Experiencing this was profoundly painful for her. “Returning to the Lima 2019 Games was incredibly strong. Natalia and Rosa took me to the coliseum, but I had to watch from the sidelines. I cried, especially during the national anthem. I shouted ‘Long live Peru!’ through tears. It hurt me deeply,” she concluded.