David Ospina's Atlante Contract Put on Hold Over Elbow Trouble

David Ospina's new chapter in Mexico lasted only weeks. The Colombian goalkeeper, unveiled as an Atlante signing on July 20, is no longer training normally because of a physical issue that has been a concern for some time: his elbow.

On Friday, the Liga de Expansion club confirmed in an official statement that Ospina's contract is being put on hold until there is clearer news about his physical condition. The announcement caused some early confusion, since initial reports suggested the deal had been terminated outright. Shortly after, the club corrected that version, clarifying that this is not a termination but rather a stand by while his future is sorted out.

So how did things get to this point? Atlante coach Miguel Herrera had already hinted that the Colombian was carrying discomfort in the very same area where he suffered a serious injury during his time at Al Nassr. That injury occurred in February 2023, in a match against Al-Shabab, and required surgery that Ospina had to work his way back from with plenty of effort and patience.

A decision to be made by both sides

In its statement, Atlante was clear on one point: the final call on Ospina's future will not rest with the club alone. It was made clear that the decision will be made "by both parties," depending on how his diagnosis develops in the coming weeks.

It's worth remembering that after that injury in Saudi Arabia, Ospina managed to rebuild his level. He returned to the net at Atletico Nacional and never lost his place with the Colombian national team, continuing to be called up and remaining part of the setup building toward the 2026 World Cup. That track record is exactly why his arrival at Atlante had generated so much excitement: a goalkeeper with international pedigree joining an ambitious project in Mexican soccer.

Jordan Garcia, the other side of the coin

While this chapter with Ospina was playing out, Atlante didn't sit idle when it came to the goalkeeper position. The club brought in another Colombian shot stopper, though one with a very different profile: Jordan Garcia, just 20 years old, arriving on loan from Leon.

Garcia is coming off a first half of the year with limited opportunities, having played just three matches, but he has experience in Colombia's youth national team setups and carries a strong reputation from the developmental ranks. He'll now look to earn minutes at Atlante, a club that suddenly has two Colombian goalkeepers on its roster with completely opposite stories: one trying to hold on to his standing with the senior national team, and another trying to make a name for himself in professional soccer.