There has been one name on everybody’s lips in Colombia over the course of the past week; not Juan Cuadrado, although his performances against both Greece and Ivory Coast were arguably man-of-the-match worthy, nor Mario Yepes, even though yesterday’s game was his 100th for his country, not even Jose Pekerman, whose patient management style has guided Colombia out of the group stages for the first time since 1990. No, the name is question is James Rodriguez.
James is Colombian football’s golden boy; a 22 year old talisman whose silky skills and eye for a pass make him the metronomic presence in the Colombian midfield, dictating play and steadily breaking down the opposition. It’s no wonder they call him ‘El Nuevo Pibe’ (The New Kid – a reference to Carlos Valderrama)! However, as the Ivory Coast game showed, James is no shrinking violet: his thumping headed goal for the opener saw him climb high above Didier Drogba to smash home the ball.
Born in Cucuta, near the border with Venezuela, James began his career with Medellin’s Envigado FC (where he briefly played alongside Colombian football’s other young talisman Juan Quintero), before moving to Argentine side Atletico Banfield. His scintillating displays in Argentina earned him the nickname ‘The James Bond of Banfield ‘ (his father allegedly named him after 007 himself), and a move to Porto in 2010.
Joining up with fellow Colombian’s Radamel Falcao and Fredy Guarin in Portugal, James excelled in the Primeira Liga and the Champions League, scoring 32 times, and assisting 21 goals. His time there saw him lift the Portuguese League Trophy 3 times, the cup and the Europa League trophy. Follwing his compatriot Falcao (whose career path has been somewhat echoed by James’) in 2013 James became one of the world’s most expensive players when he made a 45 million Euros move to Monaco. His first season was a success, helping Monaco achieve a Champions League place, and leading the assists chart in the French league.
In the Colombian national team he is the undisputed star (especially without Falcao in the squad), and wears the No. 10 shirt, just like his hero Carlos Valderrama. Valderrama, Colombian football’s greatest icon, has suggested that James has the potential to be the greatest Colombian footballer of all time, and his performances so far at this World Cup are certainly backing up El Pibe’s high praise.
A family man, who has a young daughter, and is married to his childhood sweetheart, James is seen by many in Colombia as a great role model for young people; far from the stereotypical modern footballer, James leads a quiet, family-oriented life in Monaco. His passion and commitment for the national team certainly doesn’t hurt his standing: Colombians are patriotic and proud, and a perceived failure to deliver for the national team can lead to criticism (just ask Falcao, who received plenty during his dry spell at national level). James has never had that problem: he plays with the pride of two Colombians!
All being well, James will walk onto the field for Colombia into the last-16 and beyond: he has already done his reputation nothing but good, but it would be wonderful to see the player many have tipped as the breakout star of Brazil 2014 to take this Colombia team as far as they can go. Vamos Colombia! Y Vamos James!
Chris
