Colombia’s James Rodriguez inspirational as ever in Copa América

GLENDALE, Arizona — Major tournaments frequently produce unexpected outcomes. The most prominent teams emerge. Players who were previously unknown make their mark. A seasoned veteran might be able to deceive Father Time once more and summon one last hurrah.

Colombia’s James Rodriguez inspirational as ever in Copa América: The continued revival of Colombia’s playmaker James Rodrguez in the 2024 Copa America qualifies as a wonder. On Saturday, his one goal and two assists propelled his nation past Panama 5-0 and into the Copa América semifinals.

It should not come as a surprise, in some ways, that Rodriguez is lighting up an international tournament. This is the man who led the Cafeteros to the quarterfinals of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil with six goals, a tournament high. The memory of his chest-trap and volley that got him the goal against Uruguay in the Round of 16 is still fresh. The man’s ability is self-evident.

However, Rodriguez’s performances in this tournament have been confusing in another way. Rodriguez’s club career has been on the decline ever since that breakthrough performance. His playing time decreased steadily after he joined Real Madrid. During a two-year stint with Bayern Munich, the same was true. Then, gradually, he appeared to be falling down the club ladder at Everton, Al Rayyan, Olympiacos, and now So Paulo in Brazil, where he has only played 22 games in the past year and appears to be out of position.

However, when Rodriguez dons a Colombia shirt, something happens. When he got to work against the Canaleros in the eighth minute, he delivered an inch-perfect corner kick for defender Jhon Córdoba to head home, giving him three assists in this tournament. Rodriguez scored himself from a penalty kick in the 15th minute after Colombia midfielder Jhon Arias was knocked down by Panama keeper Orlando Mosquera.

Colombia’s James Rodriguez inspirational as ever in Copa América: Just four minutes before halftime, Rodriguez experienced his most inspirational moment. He took a quick free kick over the top of the Panamanian defense and found Luis Dáz in the clear. The Liverpool player then delivered a superb lofted finish four yards outside the penalty area to increase Colombia’s lead. At the point when Rodriguez left the match in the 73rd moment, it was to a thunderous applause, with the midfielder commending the fans back.

“I generally attempt to help my partners with the goal that they can play well and I salute them for playing great,” Rodriguez said through an interpreter. “We’re all going through a good moment,” he continued. We’re doing objectives from set pieces, from punishments and arranged plays which is something worth being thankful for.”

When inquired as to whether he’s been the best player at the Copa América, Rodriguez said, “There’s still a ton of time. We have two games left to accomplish our goals, and all I want is to win, so there is a lot left.”

It is easy to dismiss Rodriguez’s performance as coming from an opponent who is too strong. It was after the entirety of Colombia’s greatest edge of triumph ever in a Copa América match. However, try explaining that to the men’s U.S. team, which lost to Panama in the group stage. Despite the obvious talent gap that existed between the two teams on this day, a team with that advantage is still required to make the most of it, and Rodriguez and the rest of his teammates did just that.

It still raises the question of why Rodriguez performs admirably for his club but not for his nation. It is clear to Colombia coach Nestor Lorenzo why Rodriguez is performing so well at this tournament.

Lorenzo simply referred to Rodriguez as “a good player.” He is a player who is content on the field. The coach simply looks for ways to get him on the field so he can enjoy himself.

The fact that Rodriguez has been given a largely unrestricted role in the team, which enables him to move side to side or even deep into the midfield to find space, is certainly beneficial. More importantly, it appears that his coworkers are eager to serve him. Lorenzo appreciates the ability to strike a balance between ego and responsibility in addition to ability. He detects it in this group as well.

He stated, “Football is a game with 11 players, and sometimes 10 must play for that one player, and they must be willing to do that.” However, each of those eleven players must play for their teammates and the remaining ten. And that is exactly what this team is demonstrating: a positive attitude and unwavering devotion to their teammates. That has been evident from the very beginning.”

There is additionally something to be said about finding serenity in a climate not the same as what’s going on with Rodriguez’s club. He is certainly not the first player to seek refuge with a national team. However, Lorenzo was quick to deny responsibility for Rodriguez’s and his teammates’ psychological state.

“I wouldn’t know how to gauge that with the training staff,” he said concerning the group’s resolve, with the assistance of an interpreter. ” We keep stressing how crucial it is to play for your national team and wear your jersey. Also, I believe it’s something worth talking about to acknowledge that does right by you.

“That is on the players. In that regard, I don’t think we have a lot of influence. We can show some authority, and assuming the players are committed along these lines, it is on the grounds that they love their pullover and they are exceptionally blissful being here.”

No matter what the how or the why, that Rodriguez is finding delight on the field again is clear, and his exhibition on Saturday put him in some select organization. He now has five assists in the Copa América, which spans five tournaments and is tied with Lionel Messi for the record.

His eight assists during that time are only surpassed by Messi’s 17. Rodrguez has made 10 goals (three goals, seven assists) in the last five Copa América tournaments. He is tied with Angel Di Mara, Alexis Sanchez, and Paolo Guerrero for the third most goals in that time period, behind Eduardo Vargas’ 14 and Messi’s 25.

For the third time in the last four editions, Colombia is in the Copa América semifinals. But the Cafeteros usually fall down at this point. In 2016, when Lorenzo was working as an assistant coach for Colombia, the team lost to Chile in the semifinals after conceding two early goals. A punishment shootout rout to Argentina five years after the fact caused significantly more tension. Additionally, it has been 23 long years since Colombia won its first Copa América, which it hosted.

Rodriguez doesn’t take anything for granted because of that history. We’re doing all our best so we can win. We still have the toughest matches,” he stated.

Those challenges will become much simpler if Rodriguez can maintain his current form.