BOGOTA.- The captain of the Colombian soccer team, James Rodríguez, wrote a message this Saturday to Antonella Petro, youngest daughter of President Gustavo Petro, after the controversy caused because he supposedly ignored a request from her to take a photo during the team’s farewell ceremony before the World Cup.
“Antonella, that photo goes. Additionally, it has my shirt, tell me where can I send it to you?” said Rodríguez in a message shared by the 17-year-old girl, who declared herself “the number one fan of the Colombian team” and reported that the midfielder has been one of her main sporting references since childhood.
“Thank you for your encouragement for me and for all my teammates, everything has its moment and now is the time to be united by our team in the World Cup… See you soon,” added the player along with the Colombian flag emoticon.
This message arises in response to a video published by the president’s daughter in which she stated that one of her greatest wishes was to take a photograph with Rodríguez and explained that although she could not, she felt excited when she saw it and maintains her admiration for the player intact.
“The first goal I celebrated in my entire life was yours, James, in the 2014 World Cup against Uruguay, where you scored a volley goal. I will never forget it,” said Antonella, who also recalled that she even wrote letters to the footballer and tried to imitate some of his celebrations.
The flyer closed the message to Antonella by saying: “Next time, talk to me louder, hug,” referring to the fact that he did not hear the young woman’s request during the formal ceremony.
The controversy arose on Thursday during an event led by President Petro to hand over the national flag to the Colombian team before its trip to the United States.
In images spread on social networks, Antonella can be seen approaching Rodríguez apparently to ask for a photograph and an autograph, while the soccer player continues greeting other people present on the stage.
The episode provoked reactions on social networks and motivated criticism from hundreds of Internet users who considered that the girl had suffered a snub from the captain of the national team.
Regarding the controversy, the Colombian Football Federation expressed this Friday its support for the members of the team and rejected “any manifestation of aggression, harassment or disqualification” against the players, while asking the fans to maintain their support for the team in the World Cup.
