Colombian playmaker James Rodríguez has settled one of the last details before his official debut with Atlético Nacional, the storied Medellín club he recently joined. The 34-year-old had hoped to wear his trademark No. 10, a number he has sported throughout most of his career, including stints with Real Madrid and the Colombian national team.
However, Colombia’s professional soccer body, Dimayor (the Colombian Football Division), turned down Nacional’s request to reshuffle squad numbers mid-season. That means the No. 10 jersey remains with teammate Edwin Cardona, who already claimed it before James arrived.
As a result, James will debut in the Liga BetPlay, Colombia’s top domestic league, wearing a number he has never used before at club level, marking a new chapter in a career that has taken him through some of Europe’s biggest leagues. The choice closes out the final logistical steps ahead of his first appearance for the green-and-white side, a move that has generated significant excitement among Colombian soccer fans eager to see the star back on home turf.
Want the full details, including the exact number he’ll wear? Check out the original report from El Tiempo.
Source: James Rodríguez ya definió el número que vestirá en Atlético Nacional, en su regreso a la Liga BetPlay (eltiempo.com). English version produced with AI assistance.
Image: BuffaloLibrary, BY 2.0 (via Openverse).