Bringing Colombia to the Copa America final, James Rodriguez burst into tears: ‘I’ve waited 13 years’
James Rodriguez has become a strong candidate to win the title of Best Player of Copa America 2024, after he made a great contribution to bringing the Colombian team to the final to meet Messi and Argentina on July 15.
“I’ve been waiting for this opportunity for 13 years, since the first time I played for Colombia ,” James Rodriguez confided and burst into tears in an interview after the Copa America 2024 semi-final on July 11.
The talented 32-year-old midfielder contributed with an assist for teammate Jefferson Lerma to score the only goal of the match, helping the 10-man Colombia team defeat rivals Uruguay 1-0 to qualify for the final to meet Messi and Argentina.
James Rodriguez choked up after leading Colombia to Copa America final
This assist helped James Rodriguez set a historic record at Copa America, with a total of 6 assists so far and 1 goal after 5 matches, surpassing Messi’s record set in 2021 (5 assists). To become the player with the most assists in a Copa America in history so far.
James Rodriguez also won 4 Man of the Match awards at Copa America 2024 in 5 matches, including both quarter-finals and semi-finals. This achievement helped the star of Colombian football, who was thought to be out of date, suddenly shine and become the number 1 candidate for the title of best player of the tournament.
However, above all, in the “last dance” with the Colombian team, James Rodriguez fulfilled a dream that he thought would never come true for 13 years: playing in a final match at a major tournament.
The best of James Rodriguez has probably passed a long time ago, from the 2014 World Cup, where he won the Golden Boot with 6 goals and 2 assists. Before facing the possibility of early retirement, due to constant injuries since leaving Real Madrid (in 2020) and going through a series of teams everywhere from Everton (England), Al-Rayyan (Qatar), to Olympiacos (Greece), then drifting all the way to Brazil with the current Sao Paulo Club.
This image of James Rodriguez has become an icon at Copa America 2024
Copa America 2024 has revived James Rodriguez, one of the most talented players Colombian football has produced in history.
“I couldn’t have expected anything more. This final will never happen again for me. For 13 years I’ve been waiting for this to happen, at times it seemed hopeless. I’m so happy. There is no greater happiness,” James Rodriguez said, before collapsing with emotion and choking. He apologized and had to stop the interview after Colombia’s semi-final win over Uruguay.
Colombia could shock Argentina and Messi in the final
This is the third time in history that the Colombian team of famous players Carlos Valderrama, Radamel Falcao and the talented goalkeeper Rene Higuita has reached the Copa America final, after winning the title in 2001 at home and being runner-up in 1975.
This time, the “La Tricolor” army led by coach Nestor Lorenzo (Argentine), full of energy with the revival of James Rodriguez and a record of 28 consecutive unbeaten matches, can completely cause another shock to defeat the reigning champions Argentina and famous player Messi to win the second title.
Meanwhile, if they successfully defend their title, Argentina and Messi will become the team with the most Copa America titles in history. Currently, the Albiceleste have 15 titles, equal to Uruguay, who stopped in the semi-finals and only had consolation in the third-place match against Canada at 7am on July 14.