David Ospina has left the Copa America to return to Colombia where his father is seriously ill.

NAPLES, ITALY - AUGUST 25: David Ospina of SSC Napoli in action during the serie A match between SSC Napoli and AC Milan at Stadio San Paolo on August 25, 2018 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
NAPLES, ITALY – AUGUST 25: David Ospina of SSC Napoli in action during the serie A match between SSC Napoli and AC Milan at Stadio San Paolo on August 25, 2018 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

The Arsenal shot-stopper, who is expected to leave the club after the end of the tournament to join Napoli on a permanent transfer, was released by his country to be with his father.

Ospina’s dad, Hernan, had reportedly been suffering from health problems towards the end of the season but his condition was said to have worsened in the ‘last hours’ leaving Ospina with no choice but to return to Medellin.

“We are with hearts and with prayers with David and his family, we are more united and with more responsibility together,” said Colombia’s technical director Carlos Queiroz, who also asked for respect for the goalkeeper’s privacy.

“We think that with respect and silence we have to take care of David, and he will be very soon with us,” he added.

“With my heart in hand I want to write to tell you that this is not a good time, but that God’s will is greater than us,” David’s sister, Daniela, wrote on Instagram.

“My family and I will be the main source to give any information, again, thanks for your respect and understanding, but this is not a first, this goes further.”

It’s at times like this we realise how irrelevant football is in the grand scheme of things and we wish David and his family well at this difficult time.