Ríos breaks silence! Benfica midfielder speaks amid James row | OneFootball

he was back in the spotlight, but this time not only for what he did on the pitch. The Benfica midfielder used social media to share an emotional message after Colombia’s elimination from the World Cup, at a time when reports continue to circulate about an alleged tension with James Rodríguez, the former Porto midfielder.

"It wasn’t the ending we dreamed of, and it hurts. But above all, I just want to say: thank you, Colombia. Thank you for believing, for every message, for every prayer, and for being with us every step of the way," he began writing, without fueling any controversy.

The "cafetero" reinforced his message. "Hearing our anthem at a World Cup gave us goosebumps. And even though we were thousands of miles from home, you made us feel like we were playing at home. We will never forget that love and support," the post reads.

Richard Ríos ended the message in a clear and emotional way, moving the focus away from the controversy and placing all the attention on the national team. "Thank you for walking with us. It will always be an honor to defend these colors", wrote the 26-year-old footballer. During the World Cup, the midfielder played in all five of Colombia’s matches, always coming off the bench.

the player is said to have lost his place due to disagreements with James Rodríguez, with reports even mentioning visible clashes during some matches. The coaching staff ended up giving Gustavo Puerta more opportunities.

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This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.