Despite losing to Argentina in the 2024 Copa América final, thanks to Lautaro Martínez’s extra-time goal, the Colombian national team made a strong impression throughout the tournament under Néstor Lorenzo’s guidance.
Davinson Sánchez was one of the standout players for Colombia. His performances during the tournament and with Galatasaray had garnered attention, playing a crucial role in helping the team reach the final.
In a recent interview with Deportes RCN at a Nike event, Sánchez shared his thoughts on James Rodríguez’s performance and leadership during the tournament. He praised Rodríguez’s impact on and off the field, stating, “James being James, there’s no doubt he is our leader. He is someone we admire greatly, both as a friend and a teammate. He deserves all the good things happening for him. He is a reference point not only in our current team but also in the history of Colombian football for all he has given us.”
Sánchez also addressed the criticisms surrounding Rodríguez’s lack of major titles with the national team. He pointed out that many high-performing players have not won titles yet remain respected figures in Colombian football. “Just because some say he has given us nothing because he hasn’t won with the national team, that’s false. There are many who played at high levels and didn’t win anything but are still references for us. Why should James be treated differently? He deserves recognition for opening doors, making Colombian football grow, and building credibility worldwide,” he added.
Reflecting on the current state of the Colombian team, Sánchez acknowledged the challenges of summarizing the team’s efforts in a single word. He described the team’s journey as a consistent work in progress, focusing on achieving great goals, with the next FIFA World Cup in the United States on the horizon. “In one word… I can’t do it. I would summarize it as a process of work aimed at the United States,” he concluded.
During the same event, Sánchez discussed Lautaro’s decisive goal, which dashed Colombia’s hopes for a second Copa América title. Central defender Carlos Cuesta was under scrutiny for his role in conceding that goal. However, Sánchez defended his teammate, expressing understanding and support. “Maybe Carlos thought he had another chance. I would have cut the play, but it hurts because those situations can change the game’s outcome. I feel calm with Carlos because I spoke with him afterward, and he was sure he could make it, but unfortunately, it didn’t work out. There’s nothing to blame him for,” he said.
Even with the pressure on Cuesta, who plays for KRC Genk, he had a noteworthy performance in the final, receiving a rating of 7.1 according to the 365 Scores app.
Image and News Source: https://www.infobae.com/colombia/deportes/2024/07/26/davinson-sanchez-dejo-claro-el-lugar-que-james-rodriguez-ocupa-en-la-historia-del-futbol-colombiano/
