PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jaminton Leandro Campaz |
| Date of Birth | 24 May 2000 (Age: 26) |
| Place of Birth | Ibagué, Colombia |
| Nationality | Colombian |
| Height | 1.65–1.68 m / 5 ft 5 in–5 ft 6 in |
| Weight | 68 kg / 152 lbs |
| Position | Attacking Midfielder / Winger |
| Preferred Foot | Left |
| Squad Number | #13 (Rosario Central), #13 (Colombia) |
| Current Club | Rosario Central |
| Previous Clubs | Deportes Tolima, Grêmio |
| International Caps | 5+ |
| International Goals | 1 |
| World Cup Appearances | 2026 |
| Market Value | ~€1.84M |
The Frozen Moment
The Estadio Azteca, Mexico City. June 17, 2026. Colombia and Uzbekistan, locked in a World Cup group-stage opener that would set the tone for Los Cafeteros’ campaign. For Jaminton Campaz, the 26-year-old attacking midfielder from Ibagué who had been written off at Grêmio, who had rebuilt his career in Argentina, who had earned a late recall to the national team, this was the moment that announced his arrival on the global stage.
The match was already won—Colombia leading 3-0. But in the 99th minute of stoppage time, Campaz received the ball and finished with composure. It was his first World Cup goal, and it marked Colombia’s latest-ever regulation-time goal in a World Cup match. The boy from Ibagué who had once been a club-record signing for Grêmio—R$21 million—had finally arrived.
Just weeks later, the euphoria had turned to heartbreak. Colombia advanced to the Round of 16, where they faced Switzerland. The match was scoreless after 90 minutes. In the 115th minute of extra time, Campaz intercepted a stray pass from Switzerland’s Granit Xhaka. He was through on goal. The chance to win the game. The chance to send Colombia to the quarter-finals. He fired his effort off target.
Colombia lost the penalty shootout 4-3. Campaz had converted his own spot-kick, but it wasn’t enough. In the aftermath, his social media accounts were flooded with death threats. He skipped the team’s return flight to Colombia as a precaution. The boy who had scored Colombia’s latest-ever World Cup goal had become the target of the darkest side of football fandom.
Origins
Jaminton Leandro Campaz was born on 24 May 2000 in Ibagué, Colombia. His footballing journey began at Deportes Tolima, where he made his senior debut in 2017 at just 16 or 17 years old.
His talent was recognised early. At youth level, he represented Colombia at the 2017 South American U-17 Championship and the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup, making 13 appearances for the U17 side.
He made his senior debut for Colombia on 17 June 2021 in a Copa América match against Venezuela. He was included in Colombia’s squads for the 2021 Copa América and the 2024 Copa América.
The Forge
Deportes Tolima (2017–2021):
Campaz spent his early career at Deportes Tolima in Colombia’s Primera A. Over four seasons, he made 70 league appearances, scoring 15 goals and providing 11 assists. His performances in the Colombian top flight attracted attention from across South America.
Grêmio (2021–2023):
On 16 August 2021, Campaz signed for Brazilian giants Grêmio for a club-record fee of R$21 million (approximately €3.5M), taking the storied number 7 shirt. The move came during a relegation fight. His first season brought 18 appearances and two goals, but Grêmio were relegated.
In 2022, he helped the Porto Alegre side win promotion, playing 40 games with five goals and four assists. Across his Grêmio career, he made 17 Série A appearances (scoring two goals) and 29 Série B appearances (scoring two goals). Despite his contributions, his time in Brazil was considered underwhelming.
Rosario Central (2023–Present):
In February 2023, Campaz left Grêmio on loan to Rosario Central in Argentina. The move proved transformative. He thrived in Argentina, delivering 43 games, 10 goals, and eight assists, and lifting the Copa de la Liga. Rosario Central made the move permanent in January 2024 for a fee of approximately €1.8M.
His 2024 season was a career highlight. He played alongside Ángel Di María as Rosario Central won the Argentine Championship. In the 2026 Primera División season, Campaz made 16 appearances, scoring 2 goals and providing 4 assists, with 0.52 goal involvements per 90 minutes. His expected assists output ranks in the 98th percentile among Primera División players, and his goal involvement ranks in the 94th percentile.
International Career:
Campaz made his Colombia debut in 2021. After missing the 2022 World Cup (Colombia did not qualify), strong club form earned him recalls under Néstor Lorenzo. He scored in a March 2026 friendly against France.
On 25 May 2026, he was named in Colombia’s 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He made three substitute appearances at the tournament, playing 74 minutes. He scored his first World Cup goal against Uzbekistan on 17 June 2026, marking Colombia’s latest-ever regulation-time goal in a World Cup match. He also appeared against Ghana (1 minute) and Switzerland (55 minutes). His tournament ended in the Round of 16 with the missed chance against Switzerland.
The Anatomy of His Game
Jaminton Campaz is a 26-year-old attacking midfielder and winger defined by his dribbling ability, creativity, and technical quality. Standing at 1.65–1.68 meters, he is a nimble, left-footed playmaker who operates best in the final third.
In Possession:
Campaz is a creative presence in the final third. In the 2026 Primera División season, he recorded 0.34 assists per 90 minutes, ranking in the 98th percentile among players in his league. His expected assists (xA) of 0.34 per 90 places him above 98% of Primera División players. He recorded 0.17 goals per 90, ranking in the 80th percentile.
Across his career, he has played 265 matches, scored 46 goals, and accumulated 28 assists. He has made 283 appearances across all competitions, scoring 48 goals.
Out of Possession:
Campaz contributes defensively through pressing and work rate. He has shown discipline across his career, with 44 yellow cards and 1 red card in 283 appearances.
Psychological Edge:
Campaz’s mental resilience has been tested like few others. He was written off at Grêmio after a disappointing spell, but rebuilt his career in Argentina. His return to the Colombia national team was earned through consistent performances at Rosario Central.
His World Cup experience was a brutal contrast of emotions—the euphoria of scoring his first World Cup goal and the devastation of missing a late chance against Switzerland. He addressed the backlash directly, writing: “We may be disappointed, saddened, or disagree, but no passion justifies hatred or making others live in fear.”
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: The Data Snapshot (2025/26 Season & World Cup)
| Competition | Apps | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primera División (Rosario Central) | 16 | 1,046 | 2 | 4 | — |
| FIFA World Cup 2026 (Colombia) | 3 | 74 | 1 | 0 | 6.73 |
| TOTAL | 19 | 1,120 | 3 | 4 | — |
TABLE B: Career (League)
| Season | Club | League | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017–2021 | Deportes Tolima | Primera A | 70 | 15 |
| 2021–2023 | Grêmio | Série A / Série B | 46 | 4 |
| 2023–Present | Rosario Central | Primera División | 81+ | 12+ |
| TOTAL | — | — | ~265 | 46 |
TABLE C: International Record (2021–2026)
| Tournament/Competition | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| Copa América 2021 | 1 | 0 |
| Friendlies | 3 | 0 |
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 3 | 1 |
| TOTAL | 5+ | 1 |
TABLE D: Career Milestones
| Year | Achievement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Born | Ibagué, Colombia |
| 2017 | Professional Debut | Deportes Tolima |
| 2017 | U17 World Cup | Represented Colombia U17 |
| 2021 | Colombia Debut | vs Venezuela, Copa América |
| 2021 | Grêmio Move | Club-record R$21M transfer |
| 2023 | Rosario Central Loan | Moved to Argentina |
| 2024 | Argentine Championship Winner | With Rosario Central |
| 2024 | Rosario Central Permanent | Signed permanently |
| 2026 | World Cup Goal | Scored vs Uzbekistan |
| 2026 | World Cup Selection | Named in Colombia’s squad |
What these figures reveal is a player of significant talent whose career has been defined by a rollercoaster of highs and lows. Campaz has accumulated 265 professional appearances by age 26, scoring 46 goals and providing 28 assists. His 2026 World Cup goal and his late recall to the Colombia squad demonstrate his quality on the international stage. The missed chance against Switzerland will be a defining moment of his career.
The Present Tense
Jaminton Campaz is 26 years old, entering the prime of his career. He is Rosario Central’s attacking midfielder, a Colombian international, and a 2026 World Cup goalscorer.
The Rosario Central Story:
Campaz joined Rosario Central on loan in February 2023 and made the move permanent in January 2024. He has won the Copa de la Liga and the Argentine Championship with the club. In the 2026 Primera División season, he made 16 appearances, scoring 2 goals and providing 4 assists. His market value is estimated at ~€1.84M.
The World Cup Campaign:
Campaz made three substitute appearances for Colombia at the 2026 World Cup, playing 74 minutes. He scored his first World Cup goal against Uzbekistan in the group stage. In the Round of 16 against Switzerland, he missed a late chance in extra time that could have won the match. Colombia lost on penalties. In the aftermath, he received death threats on social media and skipped the team’s return flight to Colombia as a precaution.
International Record:
Campaz has earned 5 caps for Colombia since his debut in 2021, scoring 1 international goal. He has represented Colombia at the 2021 Copa América and the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Jaminton Campaz is defined by one of the most harrowing post-tournament experiences in World Cup history. After Colombia’s elimination, he became the target of death threats following his missed chance against Switzerland. The Colombian Football Federation condemned the threats, stating: “No athlete, family member, or relative should face threats simply for representing their country in sports.”
Campaz addressed the backlash directly in a social media post: “We may be disappointed, saddened, or disagree, but no passion justifies hatred or making others live in fear.” He also wrote: “I am very sorry that I couldn’t bring the joy everyone expected. I can affirm that I have never lacked dedication, determination, and love for the team. I gave everything on the field and will do it thousands more times for my homeland.”
The incident has inevitably reminded the Colombian public of the tragedy of Andrés Escobar at the 1994 World Cup, when the defender was murdered after scoring an own goal.
His career has been one of resilience. Written off at Grêmio after a difficult spell, he rebuilt his career at Rosario Central, winning the Argentine Championship and earning a World Cup call-up. His journey from Ibagué to the World Cup has been a story of perseverance—and now, of survival.
The Verdict from the Camp
Jaminton Campaz
, on the World Cup threats:
We may be disappointed, saddened, or disagree, but no passion justifies hatred or making others live in fear.
Campaz
, on his commitment:
I am very sorry that I couldn’t bring the joy everyone expected. I can affirm that I have never lacked dedication, determination, and love for the team. I gave everything on the field and will do it thousands more times for my homeland.
Colombian Football Federation
, on the threats:
No athlete, family member, or relative should face threats simply for representing their country in sports.
OneFootball
, on Campaz’s road to the World Cup:
Campaz’s road from Grêmio frustration to Colombia’s World Cup squad.
Wikipedia
, on Campaz’s World Cup goal:
He scored his first World Cup goal in the 99th minute, marking both his first World Cup goal and Colombia’s latest ever regulation time goal in a World Cup match.
Where Next?
Jaminton Campaz is 26 years old and entering the prime of his career. He is established at Rosario Central, a Colombian international, and a World Cup goalscorer. His immediate future is uncertain following the World Cup threats.
For Colombia
, Campaz is a player of significant potential. His World Cup goal and his performances for Rosario Central have shown his quality. He will be expected to continue contributing to the national team in future tournaments, including the 2027 Copa América.
For Rosario Central
, Campaz is a key player. He has won the Copa de la Liga and the Argentine Championship with the club. His contract runs until December 2026.
His career trajectory is one of redemption and resilience—from Ibagué to Grêmio, from Grêmio to Rosario Central, from a club-record signing to being written off, from a World Cup goalscorer to the target of death threats. He has overcome adversity at every step and will need to summon that resilience once again.
The boy from Ibagué who scored Colombia’s latest-ever World Cup goal, who missed a chance that could have sent his nation to the quarter-finals, who faced the darkest side of football fandom, who survived—Jaminton Campaz’s journey is a story of talent, resilience, and the pursuit of a dream on football’s greatest stage.
