The star of the Colombian national team could leave Sao Paulo after the Copa América.
James Rodriguez
Photo: Logan Riely / AFP
By:
Futbolred Editorial
June 27, 2024, 11:55 a.m.
It is a special moment in the Betplay II League 2024, which will feature players of the stature of David Ospina and Falcao García and which promises to be exciting and especially crowded.
The presence of two glories of Colombian football in Atlético Nacional and Millonarios, respectively, seems to give a new boost to local football and even challenges Néstor Lorenzo indirectly, since it is well known that he does not privilege players from the domestic environment in his calls to the Colombian National Team. .
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Other players with a national team reputation have also arrived, such as Jorman Campuzano and William Tesillo to Nacional, Yerson Candelo and Eder Álvarez Balanta to América de Cali and Andrés Colorado to Junior, which is why the championship is beginning to attract the attention of fans.
Dreaming too much?
However, there is one player who literally keeps all Colombian clubs awake at night, unable to raise their hands due to the very high costs of the operation.
The name of the dream is James Rodriguez, and people are talking about him because he might leave Sao Paulo in Brazil, where he has not been counted since the arrival of the new coach Luis Zubeldía, and his future now looks a little uncertain.
The president of the powerful Brazilian club himself has said that they are open to listening to offers for the player, who has a contract until 2025. This detail is what complicates everything because whoever wants him will have to negotiate with Sao Paulo and that leads to costs that are too high. a possible signing.
Of course, it must be said that the player’s interest could tip the balance in favor of a team that would like to hire him, since he would be in a team that guarantees continuity so that, after the Copa América, he will remain on the radar and at the disposal of coach Néstor Lorenzo in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.
And could that team be in Colombia? The reality is that there is hardly a league that values, pampers and supports him as much as the one in his country, because while he has wandered through Qatar, Greece and now Brazil he has always been at the centre of criticism for injuries and performance. With Colombia, on the other hand, he is the great figure, he plays at the highest level and that was proven in the debut in the Copa America against Paraguay.
That is why a curious initiative has already emerged to make him a new player for América de Cali. This is how you see it: former mayor Jorge Iván Ospina has published on his social networks an initiative that has attracted a lot of attention and has generated all kinds of comments.
In a sort of open letter, the former president appealed to national commitment and addressed the left-hander with more affection than verifiable economic possibilities: “Dear James Rodríguez, I know that in many parts of the world, China or the USA or Turkey or even Spain, or in Europe or Mexico, they would hire you, especially after this Copa América and surely for a lot of money. But can you imagine the majesty of playing for your people? How many would we fill the stadiums of all Colombia to see you play? Can you imagine being a champion with a Colombian team? Money is very important, but the dignity and satisfaction that this people, your PEOPLE!, would profess to you would be priceless.”
Ok, the invitation sounds at least touching. But, in practical terms, who could pay James in the Betplay League? Take a look at Ospina’s idea: “I’m calling for a great American collection so that this is his home,” he said, proposing to the fans to join this ambitious enterprise and help the Gomez family, owner of the club, to literally break the market with such a signing. Will his idea be successful? Will James copy it? Well, what is clear here is that at least they tried…
