Jáminton Campaz speaks out after threats following Colombia's World Cup exit
Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Colombian footballer Jáminton Campaz faced severe criticism and threats after his team's elimination from the 2026 World Cup.
- Campaz responded via social media, expressing shared pain over the loss and urging respect despite the defeat.
- He was particularly criticized for a missed scoring opportunity in the Round of 16 match against Switzerland.
Colombian footballer Jáminton Campaz has become the target of intense criticism and threats from fans following Colombia's elimination from the 2026 World Cup in the Round of 16 against Switzerland. The backlash on social media has been so severe that Campaz has restricted comments on his Instagram account and opted not to return to Colombia with his teammates.
Campaz, who plays for Rosario Central in Argentina, took to social media to address the situation. He shared his pain over the team's exit, emphasizing his lifelong dream of representing his country. "My Colombia, please, let's never abandon respect. We can think differently, feel frustration or sadness, but no passion justifies hatred and living in fear," he posted, appealing for tolerance.
My Colombia, please, never let's abandon respect. We can think differently, feel frustration or sadness, but no passion justifies hatred and living in fear.
The midfielder acknowledged the shared disappointment, stating, "I deeply regret not being able to give you the joy we all hoped for, but I want you to know that the effort, commitment, and love for this jersey were never lacking." He scored one goal in the tournament, against Uzbekistan during the group stage.
The specific moment drawing significant ire occurred in the 115th minute of the match against Switzerland. With a clear chance to score after receiving a pass from Daniel Muñoz, Campaz's shot went wide. This missed opportunity is seen by many fans as a pivotal moment that contributed to Colombia's defeat.
I deeply regret not being able to give you the joy we all hoped for, but I want you to know that the effort, commitment, and love for this jersey were never lacking.
Originally published by El Comercio in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.