James Rodriguez lifted a title in Miami. In actual fact, to be actual, two. Nevertheless, his face, removed from sketching a smile, contained the tears of a complete nation. 33 yearsthe footballer of São Paulo commanded to Colombia till the top of the America CupThey’d not achieved this since 2001. However they have been on the verge of lifting the second America Cup of the historical past of his nation. The coin landed heads up. Argentina of Leo Messi.
13 years after defending the Colombian nationwide crew jersey for the primary time, James Rodríguez arrived on the Copa América grand last as the nice chief of a crew that had as its mirror the 2001 crew that received the event in Medellin. He I used to be solely 10 years outdated when Ivan Cordoba scored the objective in opposition to Mexico which gave his nation the one Copa America which have.
After eliminating Uruguay within the quarter-finals, he couldn’t comprise his pleasure. “The match was very sophisticated, in opposition to a troublesome opponent, and, effectively, we’re in a deserved last. For me… I have been right here for nearly 13 years, wanting this, we’re glad…”he stated visibly excited earlier than retiring to the locker room.
James’ objective was to make historical past together with his nationHowever this Copa América, along with being a significant incentive for a crew that needed so as to add a second trophy to its showcases, needed to be proof that, even supposing he’s removed from enjoying top-level soccer, his left foot is on the degree of only a few.
TOURNAMENT MVP
He scored a objective, assisted greater than anybody else within the Copa America, and was the event’s MVP, taking on from Leo Messi. It was not his day within the last in opposition to Argentina, however it was the magic of a Colombia that amazed the world with its participation in the US, extending its unbeaten streak to twenty-eight video games, which got here to an finish with Lautaro Martínez’s objective within the 112th minute.
James Rodriguez through the 2024 Copa America last in opposition to Argentina / LAP
With the ’10’ on his again and the captain’s armband on his left arm, assuming accountability is an obligation. James has carried the crew on his again at any time when he might. That is why he has been chosen MVP in 4 of the six video games he has performed. In flip, he recovered his greatest degree to turn out to be the high assists in a single version of the Copa América with six assistssurpassing the 5 that have been famous Leo Messi in 2021
FAIR PLAY AWARD
Along with amassing the award that highlights him because the Greatest Participant of the Copa América 2024, the attacking midfielder additionally took dwelling the Truthful Play Award that CONMEBOL gave the collection of Colombia. The crew he leads Nestor Lorenzo received the award for being the least cautioned. Double prize for a James that, certainly, I might change them with out blinking if I had been capable of elevate the America Cup to the sky of Miami.
James Rodríguez, with the 2024 Copa América Truthful Play trophy / LAP
Lautaro Martinez received the Golden Boot as high scorer of the 2024 Copa America with a complete of 5 targetstogether with the one which gave Argentina the title, within the 112th minute of the ultimate in opposition to Colombia. The ‘Home Martínezfor its half, took the prize for Greatest Goalkeeper of the Copa America. Vital as soon as once more within the last in opposition to the espresso growers, solely conceded one objective all through the event and was the hero of the quarter-finals, the place he rescued Argentina within the penalty shoot-out in opposition to Ecuador.
The America Cup It additionally served to James Rodriguezsecond highest scorer in historical past Colombiagrew to become the fourth participant with essentially the most matches within the historical past of the nationwide crew with 106surpassing a Radamel Falcao. Regardless of not profitable the title, this America Cup It has been a full-blown vindication for the Colombian ’10’.
