James Rodríguez has selected the number 23 for his return to Atlético Nacional, drawing explicit inspiration from two of the most iconic figures in basketball history, Michael Jordan and LeBron James. The club officially confirmed the squad number during the player’s grand presentation at the Estadio Atanasio Girardot in Medellín, where roughly 40,000 fans turned out to welcome the Colombia national team captain back to domestic football.
Why James Rodríguez Chased the Number 23
According to announcements published by Atlético Nacional, the choice of the number 23 is deeply intertwined with the legacy established by Michael Jordan in the NBA with the Chicago Bulls and continued by LeBron James with franchises including the Los Angeles Lakers. The club’s official media channels released a statement noting that the number 23 once dressed Jordan in eternity and LeBron in empire, associating the shirt with historical greatness. Rodríguez, who serves as the captain of the Colombia national team, has frequently expressed a personal affinity for basketball during his time away from the pitch.
During a previous spell in Major League Soccer with Minnesota, Rodríguez was welcomed by the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves and honored mid-game. Furthermore, he maintains a close personal friendship with NBA player Jimmy Butler, who has traveled to Medellín and Envigado alongside the Colombian star and supported the national team during international tournaments.
The Squad Number Dilemma Behind the Switch
While Rodríguez is internationally renowned for wearing the number 10 shirt throughout his career—including stints with various European clubs and the national side—he was blocked from claiming his customary digits upon returning to Colombia. Domestic tournament regulations prevent the mid-season reassignments of squad numbers if an active player has already registered and used them in official matches during the ongoing campaign. Midfielder Edwin Cardona already occupies the number 10 shirt for Atlético Nacional in the current championship.
Faced with a restricted list of available squad alternatives—which included the number 11 he previously wore at Bayern Munich, the number 5 he debuted with the Colombia national team, and the number 55 from his time at São Paulo—Rodríguez opted for the symbolic 23. The adjustment marks a distinct chapter in his career as he rejoins the Colombian Categoría Primera A after nearly two decades playing abroad.
Grand Welcome and Upcoming Fixtures at Atanasio Girardot
The official introduction took place ahead of Atlético Nacional’s match against Águilas Doradas. Rodríguez stepped onto the pitch accompanied by his children, Salomé and Samuel, walking through a guard of honor formed by local children waving club flags. He shared an embrace with teammate and veteran goalkeeper David Ospina before holding up his new jersey for the packed stadium.
Addressing the supporters from the pitch, Rodríguez expressed his gratitude and clear ambitions for his tenure in Medellín. “De corazón, muchas gracias, espero que podamos tener muchas alegrías juntos y sobre todo muchos títulos. Porque este es un club muy ganador y yo también lo soy,” the player stated to the crowd.
Match fitness and registration complete, Rodríguez’s debut on the field is anticipated for September 16, when Atlético Nacional faces Internacional de Bogotá at the Estadio Nemesio Camacho El Campín in Bogotá.
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