While Everton fans rejoiced at James Rodriguez missing the Copa America this summer, it’s fair to say the sentiment was not shared in Colombia.
The news that Rodriguez wasn’t fit enough to feature for his country at this summer’s tournament went down as you might expect; badly.
Since that point, there have been numerous criticisms of the Everton man, who is never far away from someone with an opinion on him.
One of the most vocal critics has been journalist Carlos Antonio Velez, who has regularly shared his opinion on the midfielder when given an opportunity.
Those opinions have been more forthcoming the more Rodriguez has fought against the criticisms against him, with the last few weeks seeing the Everton man consistently show his dissatisfaction with Colombia’s decision to send him home.
He has similarly been rallying against the stories about him; something Velez has not taken kindly to.
In fact, in a recent appearance on his show Planeta Fútbol, he called out the Everton star and warned he will not be backing down.
“James, some of us are not afraid of your notebook; as you say that you write down everything we criticise you,” MARCA report him saying.
“Write down everything you want; if you want to dedicate a whole book to me, it doesn’t make me hot or cold, it doesn’t worry me, it doesn’t keep me awake at night.
“Don’t threaten me, not him or anyone else, OK. He can say whatever he wants, but he cannot destabilise in a vulgar way as he did before that match…
“James is showing his true colours, and I’m sorry for the national team and for himself, who is very badly surrounded and badly advised.
“You are not going to scare me or many others because I have seen courageous attitudes from journalists who do not allow themselves to be belittled, as he has tried to do.”
