86

Is the crazy amount of matches Atletico Nacional plays in 2014. – 88 if they make it to the league final – In comparison: Real Madrid, finalist in all tournaments they competed in, ends on 64 official matches in 2014.

13

The number of games played by the Colombian national football team in 2014. With 9 victories, 2 draws and 2 defeats – both against Brazil – It was arguably Colombia’s most successful year in football history.

6

Goals won James Rodriguez the Golden Boot for top goalscorer at the World Cup finals in Brazil. With three more goals in friendlies, James his nine goals make him the top goalscorer in the National squad in 2014 followed by Carlos Bacca with four.

108m

108 million dollars was what Real Madrid paid to AS Monaco in July to sign James Rodriguez for the superpower on a six year contract. The fifth highest transfer ever, only behind team mates Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona strikers Neymar and Luis Suarez, made many people frown upon, but five months later he silenced the criticisers with a sublime start.

43

Years and 3 days old was Faryd Mondragón when he came on the pitch at the World Cup finals versus Japan on June 24. It made him the oldest player ever to compete at a World Cup.

2

Goals conceded Colombia Women’s goalkeeper Sandra Sepúlveda in the Copa America in 2014. They finished second behind top favourite Brazil to seal qualification for the World Cup 2015 and Olympic Games in 2016. The unfortunate goalkeeper herself is recovering from a tibia fracture that she suffered in a match in the Central American games in Mexico in November. Sepúlveda is expected to be out for at least four months but her presence at the world cup is not in jeopardy.

3

Is Colombia’s spot on the FIFA ranking at the end of 2014. With the quarter-finals in the world cup and the good results in the friendlies they are only behind World Cup finalists Germany and Argentina.

22

Players did Jose Nestor Pekerman use in the 2014 edition of the world cup. The only player who did not come off the bench was third in line goalkeeper Camilo Vargas. One country had a better participation with all 23 players have been on the pitch in a match, Bronze medal winner the Netherlands.