James Rodríguez faces backlash for snubbing the Colombian president’s daughter
Colombia’s national soccer team is heading to the United States for the 2026 World Cup, but they’ve packed a mountain of political drama in their luggage. Real Madrid captain and former star James Rodrguez is facing a backlash at home after a viral video of the team’s official elimination ceremony emerged. Fans on social media are furiously accusing the 34-year-old playmaker of completely berating Antonella Petro, the youngest daughter of Colombian President Gustavo Petro.
The awkward encounter took place at the last minute during a closed-door flag ceremony when the team president presented the traditional vueltiao hats. A video circulating online shows a smiling Antonella approaching the captain to greet him and seemingly ask for a quick photo. Instead of stopping, James simply walked down the line to greet the other dignitaries on stage, leaving the teenager hanging in a moment that quickly set the internet on fire.
WATCH THE VIDEO HERE:
How disgusting what James Rodríguez did to Antonella. You can’t mix politics with dealing with people. Despising a young woman just because she’s the president’s daughter @petrogustavo It has no possible justification. Total rejection. pic.twitter.com/J2V7EZ9mJI— ULDARICO (@UldaricoChilito) June 4, 2026
Within minutes, both “James” and “Antonella” were trending nationally on X as a wild debate erupted over whether the gesture was a deliberate political statement or just an accidental oversight in a crowded room. The situation quickly turned ugly when local politicians jumped into the fray, heavily criticizing the squad’s icy behavior towards the first family during what was supposed to be a celebratory sporting event.
The reaction from the ruling party was immediate and harsh, with government officials blasting the captain for bringing political tension to the interaction with the minor. The left-wing Bogotá councilor Heidy Snchez did not hold back on social media and launched a furious critique of the midfielder’s attitude on and off the pitch.
“Antonella is a girl who loves football, her passion for saying goodbye to the national team was real… James Rodrguez, he is 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 terrible insult,” said Heidy Sanchez, Bogotá councillor.
WHY DID THE COLOMBIA STARS FIRE?
The chilling vibes weren’t limited to James. In almost every official photo shared from the Palace, the entire Colombian team looked more like they were standing in a dentist’s waiting room than at the World Cup announcement. Stoic faces and forced smiles dominated the protocol action, and James even strategically pushed himself to the very back row for a group photo while President Petro held the flag up front with Luis Daza and Jorge Carrascal.
Demonstrating a bad mood was strictly reserved for politicians, twenty minutes later the players looked completely changed. As they escaped the palace and boarded their charter flight to San Diego for the final friendly against Jordan, the team posted a group photo on the steps of the plane – this time looking completely relaxed, laughing and flashing bright smiles.
Adding fuel to the fire, the ceremony took place just hours after a Bogotá judge banned right-wing political campaigns from using the national team jersey in advertising. With President Petr and his daughter proudly sporting a 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 photo shoot into the biggest political battleground in the country.
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Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
05 Jun 2026 17:48 IST