World Cup 2026: Colombia - Luis Diaz, James Rodriguez and their 'maverick' DNA

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Yet, with a massive diaspora in the USA and Mexico, this summer will feel like a home tournament for a side that remains the continent's most unpredictable mavericks.To understand why Colombia produces such flamboyant stars and whether the James Rodriguez era is finally reaching a sad conclusion, on the latest episode of the Make Football Great Again podcast we spoke to Colombian journalist and transfer expert Pipe Sierra, who says to expect one thing above all - "chaos".JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! But for Sierra, despite the noise, there is only one winner."It's a controversial question but for me, James Rodriguez is the greatest of all time for Colombia," Sierra says.

"Right now, the level of James is terrible - he's playing like an amateur," Sierra admits bluntly. "He's considering saying goodbye to football after this World Cup.

The problem is the coach doesn't have the pants to take him out of the team."Rodriguez, who inspired Colombia's historic run to the quarter-finals of the 2014 World Cup - scoring in every single game, including a stunning volley against Uruguay that earned him the Puskas Award - has long reserved his finest performances for the international stage.Despite winning two Champions League titles and two La Liga crowns with Real Madrid, he was often overshadowed by star team-mates such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale. He is one of the three most important wingers in the world right now," says Sierra.