Colombia’s 3-2 loss to Uruguay in Montevideo left fans with plenty of questions, and one of the biggest was why James Rodríguez started on the bench. The iconic number 10, usually a key player, didn’t take the field until the last 29 minutes of the match. After the game, James revealed that his absence from the starting XI was due to physical discomfort. "I spoke with the coach because I wasn’t 100%. He had to put in players who were fully ready," James explained, showing his commitment to the team despite not being in top shape.

Coach Néstor Lorenzo confirmed the decision was made to protect James' health, as he wasn’t fully recovered. “It was a physical issue. Later, he asked for minutes, so we gave him the opportunity,” Lorenzo said during the post-match press conference. This decision also gave Juan Fernando Quintero a chance to shine as the team’s playmaker. While it was a tactical move, it left fans with mixed feelings, especially since James wasn’t able to make a big impact on the game.

After the match, the Rayo Vallecano midfielder didn’t hold back his frustration, especially about the costly mistakes that led to the defeat. “It was strange — three mistakes in one play. We leave with a lot of frustration. I hate losing, especially me,” James said, emphasizing his competitive spirit and the need for the team to improve moving forward.

James also hinted he might miss the upcoming match against Ecuador on November 19, depending on his recovery in the coming days. With Colombia now in third place in the qualifiers and facing the pressure of playing at home in Barranquilla, having James at 100% would be a massive boost. His experience and quality are crucial, but the team will also need to show they have other players ready to step up. The game against Ecuador will be a test, not just for James, but for the entire Colombian squad.