The Colombian national team experienced an institutional farewell ceremony this Thursday before its participation in the 2026 World Cup, marked by the presence of President Gustavo Petro and his daughter Antonella, in an event without press access that has ended up generating controversy on social media.
According to the EFE agency, during the meeting —in which the players received a "sombrero vueltiao" from the president— the atmosphere was described as tense, with several footballers showing gestures of discomfort and little expressiveness.
The focus of the controversy was on a specific moment between the national team captain, James Rodríguez, and Antonella, the president's daughter. At that moment, the young woman reportedly asked the footballer for a photograph, to which he, according to the images released, did not respond and continued greeting the other attendees.
That gesture has been interpreted by part of the public opinion as a lack of courtesy, unleashing criticism and debate on social media, especially on the X platform, where the episode has become a trend in Colombia.
During the ceremony, coach Néstor Lorenzo presented Petro with a jersey signed by the players and a commemorative ball, while the general atmosphere was marked by institutional formality and a certain coldness in the interaction between players and authorities.
In parallel, the team later posed for a more relaxed picture on the plane heading to San Diego, where they will play their last friendly before the World Cup, an image that contrasts with what happened during the official farewell.
For his part, President Petro shared images of the event on social media, highlighting the moments of gift-giving and camaraderie with the squad.