On Thursday, June 4, 2026, a surprising moment unfolded in Colombia involving James Rodríguez, the creative midfielder and captain of the Colombian national team for the 2026 World Cup. During a private ceremony where President Gustavo Petro presented the team with the national flag, Rodríguez reportedly declined a photo request from Antonella, the president’s youngest daughter.

The event, announced at the last minute and closed to the press, saw the players ascend a stage to receive a traditional sombrero vueltiao gifted by President Petro. Most players appeared visibly uncomfortable, with serious expressions dominating the scene.

Antonella greeted Rodríguez, 34, and asked for a photo, but he continued greeting others on the stage without acknowledging her request. This moment quickly caught public attention, trending as the second and third most discussed topics on social media platform X under “Antonella” and “James Rodríguez.”

Heidy Sánchez, a Bogotá councilwoman from the ruling Pacto Histórico party, voiced her disapproval: “Antonella is a girl who loves football, her passion for seeing off the national team was genuine. They didn’t have to be so cold.” She added, “James Rodríguez, so macho with a girl, but so cowardly and whiny on the field. You’re a father too, and I’m sure you’d never want your daughter to experience such a horrible snub.”

The atmosphere during the ceremony was tense. Colombian coach Néstor Lorenzo presented President Petro with a signed team jersey and a Trionda ball, the official ball for the upcoming World Cup. Despite being team captain, Rodríguez positioned himself at the back in the official photo. The flag was carried by Petro alongside Luis Díaz, Jorge Carrascal, and Jhon Arias.

Interestingly, a contrasting image emerged shortly after the event, showing the players smiling and relaxed on the stairs of the plane heading to San Diego, where Colombia will play its final friendly match against Jordan on Sunday, June 7, before the World Cup.

President Petro shared two photos on his social media: one showing Antonella giving gifts to players Juan Fernando Quintero, Daniel Muñoz, and Jefferson Lerma, and another of him embracing his daughter during the event. Both wore Colombian national team jerseys.

This public display came hours after a Bogotá judge ordered far-right presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella and his movement, Defensores de la Patria, to stop using the Colombian national team jersey in campaign events and advertising. The injunction followed a tutela filed by citizen Wilman Ramiro Bocanegra Calderón, who argued that the use of the jersey in political campaigns violated rights to equality, non-discrimination, and free choice.

The decision sparked criticism from right-wing senator María Fernanda Cabal, who tweeted, “Some are using the judiciary to influence the electoral process. It seems only Petro and his government allies can wear the Colombia jersey.” She added, “The national team jersey is not exclusive to anyone, and no judge can restrict free expression or personal development. This is not a dictatorship like the one Petro and Cepeda want.”

This episode highlights the complex intersections of sports, politics, and public sentiment in Colombia as the nation prepares for the World Cup, with the national team’s image becoming a symbol contested on and off the field.