Colombia icon James Rodriguez finalized a free transfer to Major League Soccer (MLS) team Minnesota United last week, reigniting his rivalry with Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi. And now, he has offered an intriguing take on who his favorite player is.
James Rodriguez Avoids Lionel Messi Discourse
Over the years, Rodriguez has faced the Barcelona legend nine times for Colombia and Real Madrid, winning just twice. His relationship with the Herons star worsened after the 2024 Copa America final, with the new Minnesota United player insisting that Argentina apparently received favors from the match referee during Colombia’s defeat.
During a recent Q&A session organized by his new MLS club, Rodriguez was asked to name his most cherished soccer player of all time. However, the former Porto star avoided naming Messi, despite the Inter Miami ace having won eight Ballon d’Or awards.
“Tough question, I can’t think of anyone right now because I feel many have made history,” the 2014 FIFA World Cup Golden Boot award winner responded to the question.
But, Rodriguez hinted that he has respect for the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) star. Referring to the 2024 Copa America controversy, he stated, “Everything they’ve won, I believe they’ve worked hard for it and are rightful winners too.”
Rodriguez, who has previously represented clubs like Bayern Munich and AS Monaco, is set to make his Minnesota United debut in their MLS opener later this month. His side will face Austin FC in an away Western Conference clash on Saturday, Feb. 21.
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Meanwhile, former France and Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti was effusive in his praise for Messi during a recent appearance on The Elevate House podcast.
“There is only one, it’s Leo. At all levels. He alone is capable of winning a game, and very few can do that. If we won 4-0 and he didn’t score, he wasn’t happy. In his head, it was clear: he had to score all the time. That’s the sign of the big ones,” he said.
When asked to shed light on how to stop the Argentine in the final third, Umtiti responded, “He is a killer in front of the goal. He knew exactly when to accelerate and when to slow down the game. He is always looking left and right, checking everyone’s positioning. He always has a time advantage. There is no recipe to defend Leo; he is unpredictable.”
Umtiti, who announced his retirement last September, played alongside Messi 124 times at Barcelona from 2016 to 2021. He lifted seven trophies with the 38-year-old.
