Luis Díaz couldn’t hide his excitement — and tears — when he talked about James Rodríguez, Colombia’s key player in their journey to the Copa America final against Argentina on Sunday.
“Since I joined the national team, I’ve always told him he’s been my idol,” said Liverpool winger Díaz. “I grew up watching him.”
That’s how much respect the midfielder, who turns 33 on Friday, commands within the Colombian team.
Díaz, 27, was a teenager when James became a sensation at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, winning the Golden Boot as the tournament’s top scorer and moving from Monaco to Real Madrid.
But expectations were low for James in this Copa América. After a tough season at Brazil’s Sao Paulo, where he was sidelined and looked set to leave, not much was expected of him.
Colombia’s hopes for a second Copa title rested on Díaz, along with Jefferson Lerma and Daniel Muñoz, who also play in England.
Many doubted James, despite his exceptional left foot and skills, would shine again in a major tournament after mixed experiences with Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Everton.
However, Colombia coach Néstor Lorenzo trusted him, and James has proven himself, arguably becoming the tournament’s standout player and the focus of a team facing defending champions Argentina in Miami Gardens, Florida, for the final.
This will be Colombia’s first Copa final since winning as hosts in 2001.
“I’ve been here almost 13 years, wanting this badly,” said James, reflecting on an international career that began in September 2011. “We’re happy.”
James has scored one goal (a penalty) and made six assists at this Copa América. His sixth assist, in the 1-0 win against Uruguay in the semifinals, surpassed Lionel Messi’s record (5 in 2021) for the most assists in a single tournament edition since records began in 2011.
