CHARLOTTE, July 11 (Xinhua) -- Luis Diaz said on Wednesday that a lifelong dream will come to fruition when he plays in the Copa America final alongside his idol James Rodriguez.
Colombia will vie for the title against Argentina at New Jersey's MetLife stadium on Sunday following a 1-0 victory over Uruguay in Charlotte.
"He [James] and Radamel Falcao were my heroes when I was younger," Diaz said after Wednesday's semifinal. "To be able to share this with these guys makes me proud. I admire them a lot."
The Liverpool winger had special words of praise for Rodriguez, who set a new Copa America record with his sixth assist of this tournament against Uruguay.
"It's his Copa America," Diaz said of the 32-year-old, who is looking for a new club after a disappointing 12-month spell with Brazil's Sao Paulo.
"We know what he has gone through and how much he has suffered. Football gives you a chance to redeem yourself. He deserves it. I'm very proud to be sharing the same dressing room with him and to see what he is doing. We have to enjoy these beautiful moments that football gives us."
Sunday's clash will mark the first time that Colombia and Argentina have met in the final of the world's oldest continental football tournament.
Colombia will be aiming for just their second Copa America crown - and their first since 2001 - while Argentina are seeking to win the trophy for a 16th time.
"We have dreamed of this, and it makes us very proud," Diaz said. "I feel the happiness and satisfaction because we have been working hard from the beginning with this goal in mind. We have been approaching all of our games with a winning mentality and that has taken us a long way." ■
