A new superstar has been born to the Colombian national soccer team. And he may be able to take the team further than ever before.
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Colombia will be an exciting team to watch at the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada. And the biggest reason for so much optimism is the same player opponents currently fear most: Luis Das.
Having obtained a ticket to an international tournament, he said, “This is my first time participating in a World Cup. I’m very emotional.” “We know the best is yet to come.” That’s not just hope, it’s the truth. Colombia made a historic run to the quarter-finals in 2014 with James Rodriguez at the wheel. In 2026, Daz is poised to become the country’s new global star.
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Colombia’s new standard bearer
Colombia have been looking for a player who can take over the mantle from James for years. they found him. Daz has become a player where everything flows. When Los Cafeteros needs a dribble, a spark, a cross, or a moment of magic, Daz is the one to create it. In Nstall Lorenzo’s attack-oriented 4-2-3-1, all roads lead to the left wing, or number 7.
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He can drop deeper and cycle possession, explode into space in transition, beat defenders one-on-one in tight pockets, or finish or assist from inside the box. And he’s doing it with the backing of Europe’s elite. It’s been 10 years since James lit up Brazil 2014, and Daz is filling the void, but with a different style. Less orchestrators, more disruptors. It’s not just finesse, it’s bolder and more dynamic.
Colombia, led by Lorenzo, makes no secret of what they want to do: attack in waves. With two holding mids, a traditional number 10 and the speed of a winger, this structure is built to feed Daz. On the right side, Fluminense star John Arias forces the defense to stay honest. In the center, creators like James Rodriguez, Juanfer Quintero and Jorge Carrascal connect the lines. And up front, Rafael Santos Bol often does the dirty work to free up space.
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result? Daz gets exactly what he can grow.
Switch-of-play isolation. Colombia builds up on the right side and then flips the field to Daz on the left side. There he often fills Hanamichi and attacks defenders one-on-one. Dribbling in tight spaces: Daz is trusted to break lines on his own if the defense shifts early. His assist for John Curdova against Romania was one such sequence of events.
defensive growth. His evolution at Liverpool has sharpened the other side of his game. Manager Jurgen Klopp said: “Defensively, the difference is how well the attacking players can fight back…’Lucho’ has adapted really, really well.” This makes him a complete threat for 90 minutes, rather than just a highlight maker.
Simply put, he is a proven big moment player. Daz will no longer disappear during quiet hours. He forces himself into the game. His performances for Colombia over the past year: 2 goals in 5 minutes to stun Brazil in qualifying; standout performance against Spain extended Colombia’s unbeaten run to 20 goals; CONMEBOL’s play featured regular game-changing outbursts. His presence as a leader has increased and he is recognized by his coaches and teammates. He feels a responsibility and welcomes it.
