The Colombian national football team is currently heading to the United States for the 2026 World Cup, but they packed a mountain of political drama in their luggage. Captain and former Real Madrid star James Rodrguez is facing major backlash back home after a viral video surfaced from the team’s official send-off ceremony. On social media, fans are furiously accusing the 34-year-old playmaker of completely snubbing Antonella Petro, the youngest daughter of Colombian President Gustavo Petro.
The awkward encounter took place during a last-minute, closed-door flag presentation ceremony where the president was gifting traditional vueltiao hats to the squad. Video footage circulating online shows a smiling Antonella approaching the skipper to greet him and seemingly ask for a quick photograph. Instead of stopping, James simply kept walking down the line to greet other dignitaries on the stage, leaving the teenager hanging in a moment that quickly ignited the internet.
WATCH THE VIDEO HERE:
Within minutes, both “James” and “Antonella” were trending nationwide on X as a fierce debate exploded over whether the gesture was a deliberate political statement or just an accidental oversight in a crowded room. The situation quickly turned ugly as local politicians jumped into the fray, heavily criticizing the squad’s icy demeanor toward the first family during what should have been a celebratory sports event.
The backlash from the ruling party was instant and severe, with government officials blasting the captain for bringing political tension into an interaction with a minor. Left-wing Bogot councillor Heidy Snchez didn’t hold back on social media, launching a blistering critique of the midfielder’s attitude on and off the pitch.
“Antonella is a girl who likes football, her passion for saying goodbye to the national team was genuine… James Rodrguez, acting so macho with a little girl, but so cowardly and whiny on the pitch. You are also a father and I am sure you would never want your daughter to go through such a horrible snub,” said Heidy Sanchez, Bogota Councillor.
WHY WERE COLOMBIA STARS ANGRY?
The frosty vibes weren’t just limited to James. In almost every official photo shared from the palace, the entire Colombian squad looked like they were standing in a dentist’s waiting room rather than a World Cup send-off. Stoic faces and forced grins dominated the protocol event, and James even strategically banished himself to the very back row for the group photo while President Petro held the flag upfront with Luis Daz and Jorge Carrascal.
Proving the bad mood was strictly reserved for the politicians, the players looked completely transformed just twenty minutes later. As soon as they escaped the palace and boarded their charter flight to San Diego for their final friendly against Jordan, the team posted a group photo on the plane stairs—this time looking completely relaxed, laughing, and flashing bright smiles.
Adding fuel to the fire, the ceremony happened just hours after a Bogot judge banned right-wing political campaigns from using the national team jersey in their advertising. With President Petro and his daughter proudly sporting the yellow kit at the event, opposition senators immediately accused the government of trying to monopolize the national team for political gain, turning a simple football photoshoot into the biggest political battleground in the country.
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