Antonella Petro, youngest daughter of Colombian President Gustavo Petro, responded on Friday to the controversy over the viral video in which the captain of the national team, James Rodriguez, apparently ignored her request to take a picture during the official farewell ceremony of the team before the World Cup.
In a video posted on her Instagram account, the 17-year-old declared herself “the number one fan of the Colombia national team” and said that the midfielder has been one of her main sports references since childhood.
“The first goal I ever celebrated in my life was yours, James, in the 2014 World Cup against Uruguay, where you scored a volleyed goal. I will never forget it,” expressed Antonella, who also recalled that she even wrote letters to the soccer player and tried to imitate some of his celebrations.
The president’s daughter said that one of her greatest wishes was to have her picture taken with Rodriguez and explained that although she could not, she felt moved to see him approach her during the protocol act and maintains her admiration for the player intact.
In the same message, Antonella called on Colombians to support the national team in a united manner and to avoid criticizing the players.
“We have to support our national team with unity. On the field we are one country,” said the young woman, who mentioned Rodríguez, Luis Díaz, Juan Fernando Quintero, Camilo Vargas, Álvaro Montero and coach Néstor Lorenzo among the members of the team representing Colombia at the World Cup in Mexico, the United States and Canada.
The controversy arose on Thursday during an event led by President Petro to present the national flag to the Colombian team before its trip to the United States.
In images posted on social networks, Antonella can be seen approaching Rodriguez apparently to ask for a photograph and an autograph, while the soccer player continues greeting other people present on the stage.
The episode generated reactions on social networks and prompted criticism from hundreds of Internet users who considered that the girl had suffered a snub from the captain of the national team.
Regarding the controversy, the Colombian Football Federation expressed its support for the national team on Friday and rejected “any manifestation of aggression, siege or disqualification” against the players, reported Agencia EFE, and asked fans to continue supporting the team at the World Cup.
Here is the video of the daughter of the president of Colombia after James Rodriguez’s apology.
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