James Rodriguez reminds the world of a huge talent
Missing Discipline, Overweight and Genius Moments. What once were the solid foundations of many great careers in the 80s and 90s, now lead to two years over three continents. And yet: James Rodríguez saves a career that many had already forgotten in the Copa América.
In 2014, James floats in an almost unimaginable dimension. At the World Cup in Brazil, he becomes the top scorer, his goal against Uruguay in the quarterfinals is football heritage, before the ball touches the middle circle again. James stands with his back to the goal, about four meters from the penalty area. He takes a high pass with his chest, turns, and shoots before the ball reaches the ground. The shot hits the underside of the crossbar and goes into the net. Later, he receives the Puskas Prize for the most beautiful goal of the year for this. After the tournament, Real Madrid transfers 80 million euros to AS Monaco to secure the services of the 23-year-old. Only for Zinedine Zidane, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Gareth Bale had the Royals dug deeper into their pockets at the time.
He is a superstar. A sold-out Bernabeu worships the Colombian golden boy, the number 10 jersey (naturally) is the most sold clothing item in the European textile industry shortly after the transfer announcement. In the comment sections under numerous articles on the topic, many fans have already discussed the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo as the face of the Royals.
"What am I actually doing here?"
Fast-forwarding ten years from this borderless hype around a previously only known offensive midfielder to experts and hobby scouts, the present seems all too logical. James Rodríguez breaks the record of six assists in the Copa América before the final with Colombia's captain. However, behind James Rodríguez, there is not a decade full of success stories, but a hugely complicated and tangled career.
He denies playing for Real Madrid, but also for Al-Rayyan SC. He is on the field for Bayern Munich in the Allianz Arena, but also for Olympiakos Piraeus and Everton. At the German record champions, it runs particularly well, especially under the briefly returned Jupp Heynckes. In total, he scores 14 goals and 15 assists in 41 Bundesliga matches, contributing to two championship wins for the club. Bayern wants to exercise the purchase option and bind the midfielder for 42 million euros to the club, but this does not come to pass. James himself is against it, asking the club not to sign him. Despite good performances, he never quite warms up in Munich – literally. "There were days when I went to work at 9 am in the morning and it was –28 degrees. I asked myself: 'What am I actually doing here?'", he explains to Globo Esporte in an interview.
"He never bothered himself in training"
Despite his denial, James Rodríguez's time at Bayern Munich is not without controversy. According to various media reports, the Colombian midfielder was known for his lack of commitment in training. This was a major reason why Bayern decided not to exercise the purchase option.
Sources:- Globo Esporte (Interview with James Rodríguez)- Marca (James Rodríguez: "I didn't want to stay at Bayern")- Sky Sports (James Rodríguez: "I didn't feel comfortable at Bayern")- Bild (James Rodríguez: "I didn't want to be a Bayern player")
It goes back again to the Spanish sun, where for him, before and after his loan, two things cause concern: injuries and the lack of a spot in Real Madrid's starting lineup. In total, he has been under contract there for six years. James has played in 125 games for the Royals on four different positions: central midfield, offensive midfield, right wing, left wing. In only one third of the games has he played the full 90 minutes on the field. Change is the only constant. In 2015, a metatarsal bone fracture and a muscle bundle tear kept him out of action for a long time. After his return from Munich, due to several injuries and training lag between October 2019 and June 2020, he played only one league game.
Following this, James seems to be slowing down his own career at an accelerated pace. A transfer without a buyout clause to Everton. With 29, it goes on to Al-Rayyan SC in Qatar. Shortly thereafter, there is a return to Europe to Olympiakos Piraeus. However, the Greeks set him aside after only 23 games. The adventurous ride ends with unemployment.
The last voyage
James himself is not innocent in the rapid descent. Rafa Benitez, his coach at Everton, says, "He never made an effort in training, but always made demands for a starting spot." After his stay in Qatar, he admits that it was a problem for him not to be able to eat with cutlery. "Life and culture in Qatar are very difficult. It was hard to adapt," he explains to Globo Esporte. Not being able to shower naked was also shocking. Like in the case of the Munich weather criticism, one can ask where James gets his information about potential future employers. In 2023, former Bayern star Rafinha arranges a transfer to São Paulo. He leaves after a few months, according to Brazilian media, due to weight problems. Something is always going on. In the end, he stays in São Paulo, but sports-wise, he plays little to no significant role.
If all this were not known, the fans in the stadiums of the Copa América could hardly believe it. So witty, so careless James leads his Colombians through the tournament. Ten years after his sensational World Cup performance, he shines again for the national team. And just like in 2014, he could change clubs after a good summer. São Paulo should not put any stones in his way. Probably that doesn't matter to him. James seems not to function sustainably in modern club football.
However, in the yellow jersey of the Colombians, he can enchant the world. And so, the Copa América in the USA was not the glorious last peak of his World Cup career, but the last voyage to bring his career to a reconciliatory end. He has achieved it.
In the 2016 edition of the Copa America, James Rodríguez continues his impressive form, breaking the record of six assists during the tournament. Despite his success with Colombia, his club career since leaving Real Madrid has been marked by numerous transfers and controversies, including his time at FC Bayern Munchen where he was criticized for his lack of commitment in training.
Despite his impressive performance with the Colombian national team at the World Cup 2014 in Brazil and the Copa America, James Rodríguez's club career has been highlighted by numerous transfers and controversies. After leaving Real Madrid, he joined FC Bayern Munchen, but his time at the German club was marred by a lack of commitment in training and a dispute over the exercise of the purchase option, leading to his departure from the club.
