
Midfielder · #0 · Panama · 25 yrs
Ricardo Rodriguez is a midfielder. Ricardo Rodriguez is a represents Panama, 25 years old, midfielder. Ricardo Rodriguez was born in Penonome, Panama on 2001-03-10. Ricardo Rodriguez is 180 cm cm tall and weighs 70 kg kg. Ricardo Rodriguez's page brings together career clubs, trophies, injury history, multi-competition stats, and related news headlines. On Sportra you can explore Ricardo Rodriguez season statistics, transfer history, trophies, injury updates, and related news across every competition tracked in the profile.

Midfielder · #0
Ricardo Rodriguez is a midfielder. Ricardo Rodriguez is a represents Panama, 25 years old, midfielder. Ricardo Rodriguez was born in Penonome, Panama on 2001-03-10. Ricardo Rodriguez is 180 cm cm tall and weighs 70 kg kg. Ricardo Rodriguez's page brings together career clubs, trophies, injury history, multi-competition stats, and related news headlines. On Sportra you can explore Ricardo Rodriguez season statistics, transfer history, trophies, injury updates, and related news across every competition tracked in the profile.

Midfielder · #0

While the club pushes ahead with preparations for the new season and the Portugal national team has already concluded its campaign, a new update has emerged that explains why supporters will have to wait a little longer before seeing the veteran forward back in training. Cristiano Ronaldo continues to dominate headlines even while away from the pitch, with fresh reports suggesting the Al-Nassr captain is still not ready to return from his summer break following the 2026 World Cup. While the club pushes ahead with preparations for the new season and the Portugal national team has already concluded its campaign, a new update has emerged that explains why supporters will have to wait a little longer before seeing the veteran forward back in training. The Portuguese superstar has spent the past few weeks enjoying family time after an emotional end to his international career, while Al-Nassr has been conducting its preseason camp in Lisbon under new head coach Ange Postecoglou. Although many expected Ronaldo to return once his mandatory rest period ended, the latest developments point toward a different timetable. The 41-year-old recently shared a glimpse into his vacation by posting photos from Mallorca alongside his eldest son, Cristiano Jr., who is now part of Al-Nassr’s youth academy. The father-son images quickly went viral, especially as the 16-year-old appeared taller than the five-time Ballon d’Or winner while displaying a similarly athletic physique. The Instagram post featured Ronaldo and Cristiano Jr. posing shirtless on a rocky beach, accompanied by the playful caption, “Not yet.” The holiday also included Ronaldo’s fiancée Georgina Rodriguez, with the family enjoying time together following what has been a demanding year on and off the field. Earlier in the vacation, Rodriguez also shared footage of the couple swimming in a scenic underground pool, offering fans another rare look into their private lives. View this post on Instagram Ronaldo’s vacation followed Portugal’s elimination in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup, where the national team suffered a narrow defeat against Spain on July 6. The tournament marked the conclusion of the legendary striker’s international career, making the emotional aftermath even more significant. New report explains Ronaldo’s delayed return Following that defeat, the veteran stepped away from soccer to recharge physically and mentally before beginning preparations for another campaign with Al-Nassr. While many expected Ronaldo to report back to Al-Nassr after completing the standard 21-day post-tournament recovery period, fresh information from Saudi journalist Rtiban Al-Dosari paints a different picture. According to his post on X (formerly Twitter), Ronaldo will not rejoin Al-Nassr during the club’s training camp in Lisbon. Instead, the Portuguese forward is expected to wait until after the squad returns from Portugal, meaning his comeback has been pushed back beyond the conclusion of the overseas camp. Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr celebrates with the Saudi Pro League Trophy. Al-Nassr’s preseason camp officially ends on August 5, after which the delegation will travel back to Riyadh. The players are also expected to receive a brief period of rest following their return, meaning Ronaldo’s first training session is now likely to take place only shortly before the start of the competitive season. That schedule would leave the club’s biggest star with roughly one week of full training before Al-Nassr begins the 2026-27 Saudi Pro League campaign on August 15 against Al-Fateh. Al-Nassr squad gradually coming together Although Ronaldo remains absent, the rest of the squad has gradually been reassembled during the Lisbon camp. Abdulelah Al-Amri has already returned after arriving earlier this week. At the same time, Joao Felix and Sadio Mane were also expected to report to the Portuguese camp, leaving Ronaldo as the final notable absentee. Joao Felix and Cristiano Ronaldo Earlier report

James Rodriguez and Luis Diaz will continue to have Nestor Lorenzo as their coach, following his contract renewal with Colombia. Colombia confirmed that Nestor Lorenzo will continue as head coach of the men’s national team, closing the book on months of speculation about his future following the country’s run at the 2026 World Cup. The decision came after a meeting of the Colombian Football Federation’s (FCF) Executive Committee in Bogota on Thursday, July 23. The federation made the news official through an official statement: “The Executive Committee of the Colombian Football Federation announces, following the meeting held this Thursday, July 23, in the city of Bogota, the renewal of head coach Nestor Lorenzo’s contract at the helm of the Colombia men’s senior national team”. The communique didn’t specify an exact end date for the new deal, though it’s understood to run through the South American World Cup qualifiers for the 2030 edition, with the expectation that it could be extended further if Colombia reaches the centennial World Cup. The renewal gives Lorenzo, who took over the program in July 2022, a clear runway to build toward the next cycle with largely the same group of players that carried the team through this World Cup. 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗼 𝗢𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹: 𝗥𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗼́𝗻 𝗱𝗲𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗧𝗲́𝗰𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗼 𝗡𝗲́𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗟𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘇𝗼🔗 https://t.co/mqIa6xbLCi#LaSeleNosUne🇨🇴 pic.twitter.com/QsxmHRSVJF— Selección Colombia (@FCFSeleccionCol) July 23, 2026 What the renewal means for James Rodriguez and Luis Diaz Lorenzo’s continuity is significant news for James Rodriguez in particular. The coach has consistently viewed the veteran playmaker as an important piece of his setup, calling him up regularly even during stretches when Rodriguez wasn’t producing his best form at club level. With Lorenzo staying on, the door remains open for Rodriguez to continue being part of the national team project going forward. Luis Diaz, meanwhile, faces no such uncertainty. The winger remains a fixture in Lorenzo’s plans and is currently regarded as Colombia’s best player, making him an obvious cornerstone as the team begins building toward the next World Cup cycle. Lorenzo’s numbers with Colombia Since taking charge, Lorenzo has restored Colombia to the top tier of South American football after a stretch on the margins of the region’s biggest competitions. His tenure includes a runner-up finish at the 2024 Copa America and a return to the World Cup stage, both marks of a program that had gone years without featuring prominently on the continental radar. Perhaps the clearest sign of that turnaround was a 28-match unbeaten run that stood as one of the best stretches in the national team’s history, a streak that only came to an end in the most painful way possible: a loss to Argentina in the 2024 Copa America final. Across his time in charge, Lorenzo has overseen 51 matches, winning 31, drawing 12 and losing just 8.
27-year-old leaves Real Madrid after six years at club‘Arsenal is one of the top clubs in the world,’ she saysArsenal have continued their rebuild by signing the Spain goalkeeper Misa Rodríguez on a free transfer. The 27‑year‑old arrives after spending the past six years at Real Madrid.The Women’s Super League side have already added Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), Selina Cerci (Hoffenheim), Ona Batlle (Barcelona) and Géraldine Reuteler (Eintracht Frankfurt) as they aim to challenge for the title. Last season they finished runners-up, four points behind the champions, Manchester City. Continue reading...
The Golden Boot is the award that goes to the top scorer of the competition, which began in 1930. While the main goal for every player competing in a World Cup is to lift the trophy, individual awards can also secure a place in history. While the Golden Ball is subjective because it recognizes the tournament’s best player, the Golden Boot is more objective, as it crowns the competition’s top scorer. Even if the greatest players have not always shined at the World Cup, the list of Golden Boot winners features many names that rank among the best in the history of the sport, even if some never won the tournament. The list also includes some surprising winners who produced the best month of their careers when it mattered most, such as James Rodriguez in 2014 and Salvatore Schillaci in 1990. World CupPlayer(s)CountryGoals1930Guillermo StábileArgentina81934Oldřich NejedlýCzechoslovakia51938LeônidasBrazil71950AdemirBrazil91954Sándor KocsisHungary111958Just FontaineFrance131962Garrincha, Vavá, Dražan Jerković, Leonel Sánchez, Flórián Albert, Valentin IvanovBrazil, Brazil, Yugoslavia, Chile, Hungary, Soviet Union41966EusébioPortugal91970Gerd MüllerWest Germany101974Grzegorz LatoPoland71978Mario KempesArgentina61982Paolo RossiItaly61986Gary LinekerEngland61990Salvatore SchillaciItaly61994Oleg Salenko, Hristo StoichkovRussia, Bulgaria61998Davor ŠukerCroatia62002RonaldoBrazil82006Miroslav KloseGermany52010Thomas MüllerGermany52014James RodríguezColombia62018Harry KaneEngland62022Kylian MbappéFrance82026Kylian MbappéFrance10
With Argentina set to clash against Switzerland, questions are rising over the presence of Lionel Messi in the game. Argentina faces Switzerland on Saturday, July 12th, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City in the 2026 World Cup quarterfinals. With the defending champions looking to reach the semifinals, the central question heading into the match is whether Lionel Messi will be on the field from the start. Lionel Messi has been included in the starting lineup against Switzerland. Having played every minute of every game at this World Cup, including the full 90 against Egypt, the Inter Miami star is fit and available with no concerns heading into the quarterfinal. Argentina arrive on the back of one of the most dramatic moments of the tournament, completing a 3-2 comeback against Egypt that began in the 79th minute, the latest in World Cup history. Switzerland, meanwhile, advanced through a penalty shootout against Colombia after 120 goalless minutes. La Nati also provide Argentina with a favorable omen. The two sides last met at the 2014 World Cup, when the Albiceleste edged them 1-0 in the Round of 16, and Switzerland hold the added distinction of being the first team against whom Messi scored a hat trick in an Argentina shirt. With five wins and two draws in the all-time head-to-head, the Europeans will be eager to finally end that streak. Lionel Messi and Ricardo Rodriguez will meet again in an Argentina-Switzerland game after 2014. Scaloni fields an unchanged lineup Throughout his successful tenure, Lionel Scaloni has consistently tailored his lineups to specific opponents, rarely naming the same starting XI in back-to-back matches. Against Switzerland, however, that pattern will be broken. At Friday’s press conference, Scaloni left the door open for an unchanged side: “Well, I’ve already done that a few times. It wouldn’t be crazy if I field the same team, just as it wouldn’t be crazy if there’s a change or two. In principle, they would play very similarly to the other day. Beyond how crazy the match turned out to be, in terms of the actual play, the team did some very good things. I liked it.“ Confirmed lineups for Argentina and Switzerland Argentina’s confirmed lineup (4-4-2): Emiliano Martinez; Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Nicolas Tagliafico; Rodrigo De Paul, Leandro Paredes, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister; Lionel Messi, Julian Alvarez.Head coach: Lionel Scaloni. Switzerland’s confirmed lineup (4-2-3-1): Gregor Kobel; Denis Zakaria, Manuel Akanji, Nico Elvedi, Ricardo Rodriguez; Remo Freuler, Granit Xhaka; Fabian Rieder, Djibril Sow, Dan Ndoye; Breel Embolo.Head coach: Murat Yakin
Switzerland and Colombia meet in a crucial Round of 16 clash at the 2026 World Cup, with both sides looking to book their place in the quarterfinals. The 2026 World Cup Round of 16 finishes in Vancouver, where Switzerland face Colombia for a place in the quarterfinals, with both sides arriving off routine but unspectacular wins in the Round of 32. Colombia topped Group K, opening with a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan, following it with a 1-0 win over DR Congo, and closing with a goalless draw against Portugal to finish top on seven points. They followed that up with a 1-0 win over Ghana in the Round of 32, courtesy of a 14th-minute Jhon Arias goal. For this crucial match, James Rodriguez will captain and lead Colombia, who will look to match the best finish in the nation’s history after reaching the quarterfinals at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Switzerland, meanwhile, are unbeaten through four matches, opening with a draw against Qatar on Matchday 1 before rounding out the group stage with wins over Bosnia and Herzegovina and Canada. In the Round of 32, the Europeans had no trouble seeing off Algeria 2-0, with goals from Breel Embolo and Dan Ndoye. Dan Ndoye celebrates a goal for Switzerland. (Getty Images) Switzerland confirmed lineup For this match, Murat Yakin will be without a key player, as forward Johan Manzambi suffered a knee injury and won’t be available for the crucial clash against Colombia. Switzerland’s confirmed starting XI: Gregor Kobel; Denis Zakaria, Nico Elvedi, Manuel Akanji, Ricardo Rodriguez; Granit Xhaka, Remo Freuler; Dan Ndoye, Ardon Jashari, Fabian Rieder; Breel Embolo. Colombia confirmed lineup For this game, Nestor Lorenzo will stick with the same lineup that defeated Ghana in the Round of 32, with one enforced change: Jhon Cordoba will miss out through injury, with Luis Suarez stepping in as his replacement. Colombia’s confirmed starting XI: Camilo Vargas; Daniel Munoz, Davinson Sanchez, Jhon Lucumi, Johan Mojica; Gustavo Puerta, Jefferson Lerma, Jhon Arias; James Rodriguez, Luis Suarez, Luis Diaz.
Despite arriving at the 2026 World Cup with major doubts, Colombia have managed to surprise everyone with their performances, putting together a winning streak. As a result, they have improved their position in the FIFA Men's World Ranking ahead of facing Switzerland. Colombia have gone from being an underdog to becoming a contender at the 2026 World Cup. After defeating Ghana, they secured their place in the Round of 16, arriving as one of the tournament’s best attacking teams. Far from relying on a single player, they have excelled collectively, sharing the spotlight across the squad. Due to strong run of form, they have climbed positions in the FIFA Men’s World Ranking ahead of facing Switzerland. According to the FIFA Men’s World Ranking, Colombia are ranked 11th with 1,739.89 points. Following their solid form, they have gained two places since the start of the tournament. Despite the major doubts ahead of the tournament, Néstor Lorenzo has managed to restore the national team’s competitiveness. However, they have yet to match their highest-ever ranking, which was 3rd, achieved in August 2014, July 2016, and June 2018. Néstor Lorenzo’s team remain ahead of Switzerland in the rankings, highlighting their status as favorites. Murat Yakin’s team sit in 15th place with 1,696.30 points, having climbed four positions since the start of the tournament. As a well-organized team, they could cause problems for Los Cafeteros with their defensive solidity. In addition, Breel Embolo could be dangerous on the counterattack as he looks to score. Throughout the 2026 World Cup, Colombia have already faced well-organized teams such as DR Congo and Ghana. After defeating both of them, they have already gained experience playing against defensively solid sides, making the best version of Gustavo Puerta and Jhon Arias essential. In addition, the attacking runs of Luis Díaz and Daniel Muñoz will be crucial to create space. However, their biggest challenge will be their finishing, as they need to be clinical. Luis Diaz of Colombia celebrates with teammates James Rodriguez Jhon Cordoba’s absence may be harmful for Colombia Unlike other national teams, Colombia do not build their attacking play around a single star. Instead, they rely on ball possession, with Gustavo Puerta playing a key role in organizing the game. By finding Daniel Muñoz or Luis Díaz out wide, they create gaps in the opposition’s defense. Nevertheless, head coach Néstor Lorenzo will be without Jhon Córdoba, a significant absence when it comes to breaking down Switzerland’s defense. In the recent match against Ghana, Jhon Córdoba suffered a muscle tear in the opening minutes, ruling him out for the remainder of the tournament. Without him, Colombia lose their most physical striker, who was able to hold off opposing defenders, create space for the wingers and win duels with ease. In his absence, Luis Suárez appears to have a chance of starting, but he does not offer the same profile, forcing them to adapt their attacking strategy.
Néstor Lorenzo’s side face Switzerland in Vancouver on Tuesday and will be hoping for the same backing that has shocked opponents so farMexico City, Guadalajara, Miami, Kansas City – Colombia’s World Cup journey has gradually been heading north for three weeks. Thousands of their supporters now descend on Vancouver looking to see Néstor Lorenzo’s side try to reach their first quarter-final in 12 years when they face Switzerland on Tuesday. After Mexico and the United States, “yellow fever” is about to hit Canada.This sort of fan migration, which has filled host cities with vibrant colour and joy, has not been seen since that last quarter-final in 2014, when Colombia supporters travelled in massive numbers to Brazil, not only owing to its proximity but also to the fact that the selección had not qualified for a World Cup for almost a generation before. James Rodríguez, the breakout star of that tournament, addressed the fans before travelling to North America as captain this year as there had been trouble when Colombia were in the US for the 2024 Copa América. Continue reading...
Colombia find themselves at the 2026 World Cup with the ambition of getting past the Round of 16 and reaching the quarterfinals once again, matching the best mark in the nation's World Cup history. Colombia are through to the knockout rounds of the 2026 World Cup, and Los Cafeteros will now try to recapture the magic of the tournament they’re still best remembered for, a run that remains the gold standard for Colombian soccer more than a decade later. This year’s tournament marks Colombia‘s seventh trip to the World Cup, following previous appearances in 1962, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2014, and 2018. The South Americans have missed out on qualification four times since their debut, including a stretch of absences in the 2000s and, more recently, a shock failure to reach the 2022 edition in Qatar. Colombia’s Group K campaign in 2026 was a strong one. Nestor Lorenzo’s men opened with a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan, followed it up with a 1-0 victory against DR Congo, and closed out the group with a goalless draw against Portugal, good enough for seven points and first place in the group. Colombia’s best World Cup campaign Colombia’s finest hour on the World Cup stage came in 2014, when the team reached the quarterfinals for the first and only time in its history, finishing fifth overall in Brazil. James Rodriguez celebrates a goal for Colombia vs Uruguay at the 2014 World Cup. (Getty Images) Jose Pekerman’s men were dominant in the group stage, opening with a 3-0 win over Greece, following it with a 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast, and closing with a 4-1 rout of Japan to finish top of Group C with a perfect record. Colombia then beat Uruguay 2-0 in the Round of 16, a match remembered for a stunning volleyed goal from James Rodriguez, before their run finally ended with a 2-1 quarterfinal loss to host nation Brazil. That campaign remains untouched by anything Colombia has produced since, including their 2018 return to the World Cup, which ended in a Round of 16 penalty-shootout loss to England. Colombia’s overall World Cup record Colombia have appeared in seven World Cups including this year’s tournament, reaching the knockout stage on four occasions but advancing past the Round of 16 only once. Including their ongoing 2026 campaign (before their Round of 32 clash vs Ghana), Colombia have played 25 World Cup matches all-time, winning 11, drawing 3, and losing 11, scoring 36 goals while conceding 30.
The confirmed lineups for the 2026 World Cup match between Colombia and Ghana, with James Rodriguez ready to start. The final match of the Round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup should provide another tough battle as Colombia and Ghana fight for a place in the Round of 16, with James Rodríguez ready to start. While qualification was certainly possible, not many expected Colombia to be in this position because they were drawn into the same group as Portugal. That was not a problem, however, as they won the group after drawing with Portugal in the final match following victories over Uzbekistan and DR Congo. It was a different journey for Ghana, who began the tournament strongly but are no longer carrying the same confidence they had built. A late victory over Panama was followed by a draw with England that secured their place in the knockout stage with a match to spare, but they then lost to Croatia and finished third. Colombia vs Ghana lineups For this match, Néstor Lorenzo opted for this lineup for Colombia: Vargas; Munoz, Sanchez, Lucumi, Mojica, Puerta, Lerma, Jhon Arias, Rodriguez, Cordoba and Diaz. Semenyo is a player to follow (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) Manager Carlos Queiroz preferred this lineup for Ghana: Ati-Zigi; Mensah, Opoku, Senaya, Luckassen, Partey, Sibo, Yirenki, Semenyo, Ayew and Williams. Their next match The winner of this match will play Switzerland on July 7 after the Europeans defeated Algeria 2-0 in the Round of 32.
Spanish football expert Juan Castro says expected Bournemouth signing Alvaro Rodriguez can score "a lot of goals" for the club but needs to "progress and upgrade" to succeed in the Premier League. "It's not a big star in the Spanish league, but he is a striker who can score a lot of goals for Bournemouth," Castro told BBC Radio Solent.
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While the club pushes ahead with preparations for the new season and the Portugal national team has already concluded its campaign, a new update has emerged that explains why supporters will have to wait a little longer before seeing the veteran forward back in training. Cristiano Ronaldo continues to dominate headlines even while away from the pitch, with fresh reports suggesting the Al-Nassr captain is still not ready to return from his summer break following the 2026 World Cup. While the club pushes ahead with preparations for the new season and the Portugal national team has already concluded its campaign, a new update has emerged that explains why supporters will have to wait a little longer before seeing the veteran forward back in training. The Portuguese superstar has spent the past few weeks enjoying family time after an emotional end to his international career, while Al-Nassr has been conducting its preseason camp in Lisbon under new head coach Ange Postecoglou. Although many expected Ronaldo to return once his mandatory rest period ended, the latest developments point toward a different timetable. The 41-year-old recently shared a glimpse into his vacation by posting photos from Mallorca alongside his eldest son, Cristiano Jr., who is now part of Al-Nassr’s youth academy. The father-son images quickly went viral, especially as the 16-year-old appeared taller than the five-time Ballon d’Or winner while displaying a similarly athletic physique. The Instagram post featured Ronaldo and Cristiano Jr. posing shirtless on a rocky beach, accompanied by the playful caption, “Not yet.” The holiday also included Ronaldo’s fiancée Georgina Rodriguez, with the family enjoying time together following what has been a demanding year on and off the field. Earlier in the vacation, Rodriguez also shared footage of the couple swimming in a scenic underground pool, offering fans another rare look into their private lives. View this post on Instagram Ronaldo’s vacation followed Portugal’s elimination in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup, where the national team suffered a narrow defeat against Spain on July 6. The tournament marked the conclusion of the legendary striker’s international career, making the emotional aftermath even more significant. New report explains Ronaldo’s delayed return Following that defeat, the veteran stepped away from soccer to recharge physically and mentally before beginning preparations for another campaign with Al-Nassr. While many expected Ronaldo to report back to Al-Nassr after completing the standard 21-day post-tournament recovery period, fresh information from Saudi journalist Rtiban Al-Dosari paints a different picture. According to his post on X (formerly Twitter), Ronaldo will not rejoin Al-Nassr during the club’s training camp in Lisbon. Instead, the Portuguese forward is expected to wait until after the squad returns from Portugal, meaning his comeback has been pushed back beyond the conclusion of the overseas camp. Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr celebrates with the Saudi Pro League Trophy. Al-Nassr’s preseason camp officially ends on August 5, after which the delegation will travel back to Riyadh. The players are also expected to receive a brief period of rest following their return, meaning Ronaldo’s first training session is now likely to take place only shortly before the start of the competitive season. That schedule would leave the club’s biggest star with roughly one week of full training before Al-Nassr begins the 2026-27 Saudi Pro League campaign on August 15 against Al-Fateh. Al-Nassr squad gradually coming together Although Ronaldo remains absent, the rest of the squad has gradually been reassembled during the Lisbon camp. Abdulelah Al-Amri has already returned after arriving earlier this week. At the same time, Joao Felix and Sadio Mane were also expected to report to the Portuguese camp, leaving Ronaldo as the final notable absentee. Joao Felix and Cristiano Ronaldo Earlier report

James Rodriguez and Luis Diaz will continue to have Nestor Lorenzo as their coach, following his contract renewal with Colombia. Colombia confirmed that Nestor Lorenzo will continue as head coach of the men’s national team, closing the book on months of speculation about his future following the country’s run at the 2026 World Cup. The decision came after a meeting of the Colombian Football Federation’s (FCF) Executive Committee in Bogota on Thursday, July 23. The federation made the news official through an official statement: “The Executive Committee of the Colombian Football Federation announces, following the meeting held this Thursday, July 23, in the city of Bogota, the renewal of head coach Nestor Lorenzo’s contract at the helm of the Colombia men’s senior national team”. The communique didn’t specify an exact end date for the new deal, though it’s understood to run through the South American World Cup qualifiers for the 2030 edition, with the expectation that it could be extended further if Colombia reaches the centennial World Cup. The renewal gives Lorenzo, who took over the program in July 2022, a clear runway to build toward the next cycle with largely the same group of players that carried the team through this World Cup. 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗼 𝗢𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹: 𝗥𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗼́𝗻 𝗱𝗲𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗧𝗲́𝗰𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗼 𝗡𝗲́𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗟𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘇𝗼🔗 https://t.co/mqIa6xbLCi#LaSeleNosUne🇨🇴 pic.twitter.com/QsxmHRSVJF— Selección Colombia (@FCFSeleccionCol) July 23, 2026 What the renewal means for James Rodriguez and Luis Diaz Lorenzo’s continuity is significant news for James Rodriguez in particular. The coach has consistently viewed the veteran playmaker as an important piece of his setup, calling him up regularly even during stretches when Rodriguez wasn’t producing his best form at club level. With Lorenzo staying on, the door remains open for Rodriguez to continue being part of the national team project going forward. Luis Diaz, meanwhile, faces no such uncertainty. The winger remains a fixture in Lorenzo’s plans and is currently regarded as Colombia’s best player, making him an obvious cornerstone as the team begins building toward the next World Cup cycle. Lorenzo’s numbers with Colombia Since taking charge, Lorenzo has restored Colombia to the top tier of South American football after a stretch on the margins of the region’s biggest competitions. His tenure includes a runner-up finish at the 2024 Copa America and a return to the World Cup stage, both marks of a program that had gone years without featuring prominently on the continental radar. Perhaps the clearest sign of that turnaround was a 28-match unbeaten run that stood as one of the best stretches in the national team’s history, a streak that only came to an end in the most painful way possible: a loss to Argentina in the 2024 Copa America final. Across his time in charge, Lorenzo has overseen 51 matches, winning 31, drawing 12 and losing just 8.
27-year-old leaves Real Madrid after six years at club‘Arsenal is one of the top clubs in the world,’ she saysArsenal have continued their rebuild by signing the Spain goalkeeper Misa Rodríguez on a free transfer. The 27‑year‑old arrives after spending the past six years at Real Madrid.The Women’s Super League side have already added Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), Selina Cerci (Hoffenheim), Ona Batlle (Barcelona) and Géraldine Reuteler (Eintracht Frankfurt) as they aim to challenge for the title. Last season they finished runners-up, four points behind the champions, Manchester City. Continue reading...
The Golden Boot is the award that goes to the top scorer of the competition, which began in 1930. While the main goal for every player competing in a World Cup is to lift the trophy, individual awards can also secure a place in history. While the Golden Ball is subjective because it recognizes the tournament’s best player, the Golden Boot is more objective, as it crowns the competition’s top scorer. Even if the greatest players have not always shined at the World Cup, the list of Golden Boot winners features many names that rank among the best in the history of the sport, even if some never won the tournament. The list also includes some surprising winners who produced the best month of their careers when it mattered most, such as James Rodriguez in 2014 and Salvatore Schillaci in 1990. World CupPlayer(s)CountryGoals1930Guillermo StábileArgentina81934Oldřich NejedlýCzechoslovakia51938LeônidasBrazil71950AdemirBrazil91954Sándor KocsisHungary111958Just FontaineFrance131962Garrincha, Vavá, Dražan Jerković, Leonel Sánchez, Flórián Albert, Valentin IvanovBrazil, Brazil, Yugoslavia, Chile, Hungary, Soviet Union41966EusébioPortugal91970Gerd MüllerWest Germany101974Grzegorz LatoPoland71978Mario KempesArgentina61982Paolo RossiItaly61986Gary LinekerEngland61990Salvatore SchillaciItaly61994Oleg Salenko, Hristo StoichkovRussia, Bulgaria61998Davor ŠukerCroatia62002RonaldoBrazil82006Miroslav KloseGermany52010Thomas MüllerGermany52014James RodríguezColombia62018Harry KaneEngland62022Kylian MbappéFrance82026Kylian MbappéFrance10
With Argentina set to clash against Switzerland, questions are rising over the presence of Lionel Messi in the game. Argentina faces Switzerland on Saturday, July 12th, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City in the 2026 World Cup quarterfinals. With the defending champions looking to reach the semifinals, the central question heading into the match is whether Lionel Messi will be on the field from the start. Lionel Messi has been included in the starting lineup against Switzerland. Having played every minute of every game at this World Cup, including the full 90 against Egypt, the Inter Miami star is fit and available with no concerns heading into the quarterfinal. Argentina arrive on the back of one of the most dramatic moments of the tournament, completing a 3-2 comeback against Egypt that began in the 79th minute, the latest in World Cup history. Switzerland, meanwhile, advanced through a penalty shootout against Colombia after 120 goalless minutes. La Nati also provide Argentina with a favorable omen. The two sides last met at the 2014 World Cup, when the Albiceleste edged them 1-0 in the Round of 16, and Switzerland hold the added distinction of being the first team against whom Messi scored a hat trick in an Argentina shirt. With five wins and two draws in the all-time head-to-head, the Europeans will be eager to finally end that streak. Lionel Messi and Ricardo Rodriguez will meet again in an Argentina-Switzerland game after 2014. Scaloni fields an unchanged lineup Throughout his successful tenure, Lionel Scaloni has consistently tailored his lineups to specific opponents, rarely naming the same starting XI in back-to-back matches. Against Switzerland, however, that pattern will be broken. At Friday’s press conference, Scaloni left the door open for an unchanged side: “Well, I’ve already done that a few times. It wouldn’t be crazy if I field the same team, just as it wouldn’t be crazy if there’s a change or two. In principle, they would play very similarly to the other day. Beyond how crazy the match turned out to be, in terms of the actual play, the team did some very good things. I liked it.“ Confirmed lineups for Argentina and Switzerland Argentina’s confirmed lineup (4-4-2): Emiliano Martinez; Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Nicolas Tagliafico; Rodrigo De Paul, Leandro Paredes, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister; Lionel Messi, Julian Alvarez.Head coach: Lionel Scaloni. Switzerland’s confirmed lineup (4-2-3-1): Gregor Kobel; Denis Zakaria, Manuel Akanji, Nico Elvedi, Ricardo Rodriguez; Remo Freuler, Granit Xhaka; Fabian Rieder, Djibril Sow, Dan Ndoye; Breel Embolo.Head coach: Murat Yakin
Switzerland and Colombia meet in a crucial Round of 16 clash at the 2026 World Cup, with both sides looking to book their place in the quarterfinals. The 2026 World Cup Round of 16 finishes in Vancouver, where Switzerland face Colombia for a place in the quarterfinals, with both sides arriving off routine but unspectacular wins in the Round of 32. Colombia topped Group K, opening with a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan, following it with a 1-0 win over DR Congo, and closing with a goalless draw against Portugal to finish top on seven points. They followed that up with a 1-0 win over Ghana in the Round of 32, courtesy of a 14th-minute Jhon Arias goal. For this crucial match, James Rodriguez will captain and lead Colombia, who will look to match the best finish in the nation’s history after reaching the quarterfinals at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Switzerland, meanwhile, are unbeaten through four matches, opening with a draw against Qatar on Matchday 1 before rounding out the group stage with wins over Bosnia and Herzegovina and Canada. In the Round of 32, the Europeans had no trouble seeing off Algeria 2-0, with goals from Breel Embolo and Dan Ndoye. Dan Ndoye celebrates a goal for Switzerland. (Getty Images) Switzerland confirmed lineup For this match, Murat Yakin will be without a key player, as forward Johan Manzambi suffered a knee injury and won’t be available for the crucial clash against Colombia. Switzerland’s confirmed starting XI: Gregor Kobel; Denis Zakaria, Nico Elvedi, Manuel Akanji, Ricardo Rodriguez; Granit Xhaka, Remo Freuler; Dan Ndoye, Ardon Jashari, Fabian Rieder; Breel Embolo. Colombia confirmed lineup For this game, Nestor Lorenzo will stick with the same lineup that defeated Ghana in the Round of 32, with one enforced change: Jhon Cordoba will miss out through injury, with Luis Suarez stepping in as his replacement. Colombia’s confirmed starting XI: Camilo Vargas; Daniel Munoz, Davinson Sanchez, Jhon Lucumi, Johan Mojica; Gustavo Puerta, Jefferson Lerma, Jhon Arias; James Rodriguez, Luis Suarez, Luis Diaz.
Despite arriving at the 2026 World Cup with major doubts, Colombia have managed to surprise everyone with their performances, putting together a winning streak. As a result, they have improved their position in the FIFA Men's World Ranking ahead of facing Switzerland. Colombia have gone from being an underdog to becoming a contender at the 2026 World Cup. After defeating Ghana, they secured their place in the Round of 16, arriving as one of the tournament’s best attacking teams. Far from relying on a single player, they have excelled collectively, sharing the spotlight across the squad. Due to strong run of form, they have climbed positions in the FIFA Men’s World Ranking ahead of facing Switzerland. According to the FIFA Men’s World Ranking, Colombia are ranked 11th with 1,739.89 points. Following their solid form, they have gained two places since the start of the tournament. Despite the major doubts ahead of the tournament, Néstor Lorenzo has managed to restore the national team’s competitiveness. However, they have yet to match their highest-ever ranking, which was 3rd, achieved in August 2014, July 2016, and June 2018. Néstor Lorenzo’s team remain ahead of Switzerland in the rankings, highlighting their status as favorites. Murat Yakin’s team sit in 15th place with 1,696.30 points, having climbed four positions since the start of the tournament. As a well-organized team, they could cause problems for Los Cafeteros with their defensive solidity. In addition, Breel Embolo could be dangerous on the counterattack as he looks to score. Throughout the 2026 World Cup, Colombia have already faced well-organized teams such as DR Congo and Ghana. After defeating both of them, they have already gained experience playing against defensively solid sides, making the best version of Gustavo Puerta and Jhon Arias essential. In addition, the attacking runs of Luis Díaz and Daniel Muñoz will be crucial to create space. However, their biggest challenge will be their finishing, as they need to be clinical. Luis Diaz of Colombia celebrates with teammates James Rodriguez Jhon Cordoba’s absence may be harmful for Colombia Unlike other national teams, Colombia do not build their attacking play around a single star. Instead, they rely on ball possession, with Gustavo Puerta playing a key role in organizing the game. By finding Daniel Muñoz or Luis Díaz out wide, they create gaps in the opposition’s defense. Nevertheless, head coach Néstor Lorenzo will be without Jhon Córdoba, a significant absence when it comes to breaking down Switzerland’s defense. In the recent match against Ghana, Jhon Córdoba suffered a muscle tear in the opening minutes, ruling him out for the remainder of the tournament. Without him, Colombia lose their most physical striker, who was able to hold off opposing defenders, create space for the wingers and win duels with ease. In his absence, Luis Suárez appears to have a chance of starting, but he does not offer the same profile, forcing them to adapt their attacking strategy.
Néstor Lorenzo’s side face Switzerland in Vancouver on Tuesday and will be hoping for the same backing that has shocked opponents so farMexico City, Guadalajara, Miami, Kansas City – Colombia’s World Cup journey has gradually been heading north for three weeks. Thousands of their supporters now descend on Vancouver looking to see Néstor Lorenzo’s side try to reach their first quarter-final in 12 years when they face Switzerland on Tuesday. After Mexico and the United States, “yellow fever” is about to hit Canada.This sort of fan migration, which has filled host cities with vibrant colour and joy, has not been seen since that last quarter-final in 2014, when Colombia supporters travelled in massive numbers to Brazil, not only owing to its proximity but also to the fact that the selección had not qualified for a World Cup for almost a generation before. James Rodríguez, the breakout star of that tournament, addressed the fans before travelling to North America as captain this year as there had been trouble when Colombia were in the US for the 2024 Copa América. Continue reading...
Colombia find themselves at the 2026 World Cup with the ambition of getting past the Round of 16 and reaching the quarterfinals once again, matching the best mark in the nation's World Cup history. Colombia are through to the knockout rounds of the 2026 World Cup, and Los Cafeteros will now try to recapture the magic of the tournament they’re still best remembered for, a run that remains the gold standard for Colombian soccer more than a decade later. This year’s tournament marks Colombia‘s seventh trip to the World Cup, following previous appearances in 1962, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2014, and 2018. The South Americans have missed out on qualification four times since their debut, including a stretch of absences in the 2000s and, more recently, a shock failure to reach the 2022 edition in Qatar. Colombia’s Group K campaign in 2026 was a strong one. Nestor Lorenzo’s men opened with a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan, followed it up with a 1-0 victory against DR Congo, and closed out the group with a goalless draw against Portugal, good enough for seven points and first place in the group. Colombia’s best World Cup campaign Colombia’s finest hour on the World Cup stage came in 2014, when the team reached the quarterfinals for the first and only time in its history, finishing fifth overall in Brazil. James Rodriguez celebrates a goal for Colombia vs Uruguay at the 2014 World Cup. (Getty Images) Jose Pekerman’s men were dominant in the group stage, opening with a 3-0 win over Greece, following it with a 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast, and closing with a 4-1 rout of Japan to finish top of Group C with a perfect record. Colombia then beat Uruguay 2-0 in the Round of 16, a match remembered for a stunning volleyed goal from James Rodriguez, before their run finally ended with a 2-1 quarterfinal loss to host nation Brazil. That campaign remains untouched by anything Colombia has produced since, including their 2018 return to the World Cup, which ended in a Round of 16 penalty-shootout loss to England. Colombia’s overall World Cup record Colombia have appeared in seven World Cups including this year’s tournament, reaching the knockout stage on four occasions but advancing past the Round of 16 only once. Including their ongoing 2026 campaign (before their Round of 32 clash vs Ghana), Colombia have played 25 World Cup matches all-time, winning 11, drawing 3, and losing 11, scoring 36 goals while conceding 30.
The confirmed lineups for the 2026 World Cup match between Colombia and Ghana, with James Rodriguez ready to start. The final match of the Round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup should provide another tough battle as Colombia and Ghana fight for a place in the Round of 16, with James Rodríguez ready to start. While qualification was certainly possible, not many expected Colombia to be in this position because they were drawn into the same group as Portugal. That was not a problem, however, as they won the group after drawing with Portugal in the final match following victories over Uzbekistan and DR Congo. It was a different journey for Ghana, who began the tournament strongly but are no longer carrying the same confidence they had built. A late victory over Panama was followed by a draw with England that secured their place in the knockout stage with a match to spare, but they then lost to Croatia and finished third. Colombia vs Ghana lineups For this match, Néstor Lorenzo opted for this lineup for Colombia: Vargas; Munoz, Sanchez, Lucumi, Mojica, Puerta, Lerma, Jhon Arias, Rodriguez, Cordoba and Diaz. Semenyo is a player to follow (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) Manager Carlos Queiroz preferred this lineup for Ghana: Ati-Zigi; Mensah, Opoku, Senaya, Luckassen, Partey, Sibo, Yirenki, Semenyo, Ayew and Williams. Their next match The winner of this match will play Switzerland on July 7 after the Europeans defeated Algeria 2-0 in the Round of 32.
Spanish football expert Juan Castro says expected Bournemouth signing Alvaro Rodriguez can score "a lot of goals" for the club but needs to "progress and upgrade" to succeed in the Premier League. "It's not a big star in the Spanish league, but he is a striker who can score a lot of goals for Bournemouth," Castro told BBC Radio Solent.
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