James' friend speaks directly about his case in Sao Paulo: 'It has to be realistic'

James Rodriguez He is experiencing days of uncertainty in Brazil, where he is negotiating the termination of his contract with Sao Paulo, a club he joined six months ago and where he does not want to remain in 2024.

The player continues training with the club despite the fact that coach Thiago Carpini confirmed that he asked to leave the club due to the little competition it has had. It is said that there is a million-dollar debt that has prevented the completion of the contract and that could become difficult, according to press reports in Brazil and Colombia.

Rafinha, a man close to James, a friend of his at the club who has also had to wait in line despite his great international experience, spoke about the Colombian.
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“He trains well, he doesn't arrive late, he doesn't disrespect anyone, he participates in situations,” he told TNT Sports.
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For the full-back, what the left-hander must do is understand that he will not have the privileged treatment that the Colombian National Team gives him in any other team: “He has to be realistic. The football that James plays today is not the same as it was 10 years ago. He is great, in his position he is dominant, one of the best there is. But for it to work it has to be like they do in Colombia selection for him. He trains well, he is very professional. So much so that now in Sao Paulo he trains and does not complain, regardless of the situation he does not cause problems, he does not put on a bad face,” he explained.

And he added: “As much as he has problems with the club, which are not my place to talk about, but he is a professional. The boy doesn't play, but he maintains his character, he trains well, he doesn't arrive late, he doesn't disrespect anyone, he participates in situations. But of course, playing is difficult. How are you going to get a player out of there to benefit James in the game?”

​​He even revealed what he himself told him when he did not want to travel with the team to the duel against Palmeiras for the Super Cup, an attitude that ended up being lapidary about his future in the club: “I told him: 'man, come on, it doesn't cost anything 'You'll be back tomorrow.' But they had already discussed it among themselves long before the final (management and player). I speak from the heart, not because he is the captain. Because he is good, he is definitive, everyone wants to be on the boat, everyone wants to participate, of course he is an important presence (James). All the injured were. But you'll also know what this guy is going through. I am of that opinion, I wish I were there (…) Everyone has to be present at a time like this. It is the role we have to play. It is a special moment,” Rafinha concluded.

New reviews

In Brazil, the player's desire to leave did not sit well at all. James has received criticism from the fans and some sectors of the press.

Now it was former player Jose Ferreira Neto, current panelist on the program Os Donos da Bola, on the Rede Banderaintes network, who attacked the Colombian, whom he even called a “mediocre little player.”

“The biggest mistake in the history of Sao Paulo in terms of hiring was that mediocre player who had a great World Cup (Brazil 2014) and that everyone treats him like a genius. He doesn't clean my boots, nor those of Djalminha, of Alex , Zenon or Pita, but he played in a World Cup with Colombia and everyone here talks about him. It's a shame that he wore the shirt of one of the biggest clubs in the world,” Neto said during the live broadcast.

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