Colombia coach Jose Pekerman has said the mature and determined personality of James Rodriguez meant he was ready to captain his country at the age of only 23.
Rodriguez wore the armband for the first time in Friday's 2-1 friendly win over the U.S. at Fulham's Craven Cottage, becoming the youngest national team skipper in Colombia's history.
After a Jozy Altidore penalty had given Jurgen Klinsmann's side an early lead, the Real Madrid midfielder laid on the equaliser for Carlos Bacca before Teo Gutierrez hit an 87th-minute winner.
Pekerman told AS that 2014 World Cup Golden Boot winner Rodriguez, who joined Madrid for 80 million euros from Monaco after the tournament, was a natural for the job.
"James has grown up and matured very quickly for his 23 years," the Argentine coach said. "Each new step that he makes surprises me, and he has great potential.
"He is a winner. That is why he was captain, and we believe fully in him -- the coaching staff and the players. He took on the captaincy with responsibility."
Rodriguez is likely to again skipper the side as Colombia face Slovenia in Ljubljana on Tuesday in their second friendly of the international break.