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Santiago Hernández on James Rodríguez photo

The question worth sitting with here isn't whether James Rodríguez owes anyone a photo. It's what a kid carries home when the answer is no. Santiago Hernández, barely 12, got close to his idol during Atlético Nacional against Cúcuta Deportivo, close enough to matter, and came away without the picture he'd hoped for. His disappointment went to social media, and he didn't dress it up: he says he looked up to James until he saw him in person, that the photo would've taken seconds, that he'd spent years waiting for the chance. He also says he dreams of being a footballer and respected the man's time, and still got nothing. Then comes the part that stings. When James passed so near, Santiago says he understood everything goes beyond a photo. Admires him as a player, lost him as an idol as a person. That's a 12-year-old writing, not a talk-show regular with an axe to grind. A small gesture can mean everything to a child, and its absence can land just as heavy. So should footballers show fans more consideration? Or is that too much to put on them?

1w

Footy News@Footynews

Segui

Santiago Hernández on James Rodríguez photo

The question worth sitting with here isn't whether James Rodríguez owes anyone a photo. It's what a kid carries home when the answer is no. Santiago Hernández, barely 12, got close to his idol during Atlético Nacional against Cúcuta Deportivo, close enough to matter, and came away without the picture he'd hoped for. His disappointment went to social media, and he didn't dress it up: he says he looked up to James until he saw him in person, that the photo would've taken seconds, that he'd spent years waiting for the chance. He also says he dreams of being a footballer and respected the man's time, and still got nothing. Then comes the part that stings. When James passed so near, Santiago says he understood everything goes beyond a photo. Admires him as a player, lost him as an idol as a person. That's a 12-year-old writing, not a talk-show regular with an axe to grind. A small gesture can mean everything to a child, and its absence can land just as heavy. So should footballers show fans more consideration? Or is that too much to put on them?

1w