Colombia coach Néstor Lorenzo justifies the importance of James Rodríguez even with his physical performance different from the others
The coach of the Colombian national team, Néstor Lorenzo, openly praised attacking midfielder James Rodríguez shortly before the start of the team’s journey at the 2026 World Cup. Colombia’s first challenge will be this Wednesday (17) against Uzbekistan, at 11pm (Brasília time), at the emblematic Azteca Stadium, in Mexico City, a match valid for Group K.
Despite going through a period of less recent prominence in his career, James Rodríguez maintains his position as a central figure and main star of the national team. Néstor Lorenzo’s statements during the pre-match press conference reinforce this perception about the player.
“James is in good condition and has been improving in his physical preparation. It is clear that his talent and technical attributes place him in a category by himself; sometimes, he does not need to run as much as other colleagues to be decisive, provide clarity to the game and make crucial choices on the field”, stated the coach, highlighting the athlete’s intrinsic qualities.
At 34 years old, James Rodríguez joins the delegation for the 2026 World Cup without being linked to any club, after a discreet spell at Minnesota United, where he participated in eight matches and contributed just two assists.
The Colombian number 10’s last official game was played just over a month ago, on May 13, in Major League Soccer (MLS).
Details about the broadcast of the clash between Uzbekistan and Colombia
The match between Uzbekistan and Colombia, scheduled for this Wednesday (17th), starting at 11pm (Brasília time), will be broadcast exclusively live on CazéTV, a platform that can be accessed at no additional cost on Disney+.
