James Rodriguez accused of snubbing Colombian president’s daughter in photo row | OneFootball

James Rodriguez is at the centre of a storm in Colombia after a video appeared to show him ignoring a photo request from the president’s daughter ahead of the World Cup, according to L'Équipe.

The Colombia captain and Minnesota United FC midfielder shook hands with Antonella Petro, the president’s youngest daughter who also plays football, during an official event with President Gustavo Petro, then was accused of walking on despite her asking for a picture. The clip circulated on social media from Thursday night.

The audio is indistinct, though she appears to ask if they could take a photo. Rodriguez, 34, has 126 caps and 34 goals and previously played for Real Madrid from 2014 to 2020 after Monaco.

The footage sparked a backlash, with hostile replies under a post from the national team account. Bogota councillor Heidy Sanchez, of the governing Historic Pact, condemned Rodriguez on X, describing him as macho with a little girl, cowardly on the pitch, and adding that as a father he would not want his own daughter treated that way.

Some Colombians have interpreted the incident as a slight towards the left-leaning president. Rodriguez is not noted for political statements and has never publicly opposed Gustavo Petro, while the apparent unease of some players around the president has also been debated.

Source: L'Équipe