After James Rodriguez won the Golden Boot for his outstanding 6 goal haul in this summer’s Brazil World Cup, I really thought I wouldn’t be writing another football-related post for a while. Even with all the rumors flying around of his impending transfer to Real Madrid, I never really believed Monaco would sell their star asset straight after the tournament of his life. I also didn’t really believe that Real would stump up the likely asking fee of at least 80 million Euros. Well, I’ve been proven wrong (there’s a first time for everything, right!?), and this week James sealed a stunning switch to arguably the world’s biggest club (and I’m a Man Utd fan…). Yet, is this the right move for the Colombian superstar?
James made no secret of his desire to leave France for Spain, even declaring that he would sign for Real in his sleep. He followed Los Merengues as a boy, and even made a trip over to watch them in the Champions League last season, where he was pictured with Cristiano Ronaldo, a man whose status as the world’s best footballer many believe that James could challenge in a few years time. Some are questioning the wisdom of the move, given that James prefers to occupy a more traditional No. 10 role on the pitch, and Carlo Ancelotti has preferred a 4-3-3 formation over the past season with a striker playing through the middle, and Bale and Ronaldo on the flanks. James is an incredible young footballer, but he’s unlikely to oust the two most expensive players in history from their positions. Real have also paid 30 million euros for German World Cup hero Toni Kroos, and with Luka Modric and Xabi Alonso playing in the middle, the Madrid midfield is looking a little congested. But this is the competition James needs: not being a guaranteed started will force him to push himself and develop his game.
The amount of money Real have invested in the 23 year old Colombian clearly demonstrates their faith in his ability to adapt and let his natural talent shine through at the Bernabeu. I believe them as well; James is a star and his rightful place is on the biggest stage. It bodes well for Colombia’s national team as well: in a tougher league, James will be targeted and marked more and will be forced to improve his game to deal with these changes. So when the next Brazil try to kick him out of the game he will have developed the tools to deal more effectively with this attention.
The reaction in Colombia to the transfer has been overwhelming: people everywhere stopped what they were doing to watch James being unveiled as a Real player on Tuesday, and his face has dominated Colombian newspapers, TV shows and websites for the past few days. He was already a superstar in Colombia, but this move puts the world’s eyes on him, and, by extension, Colombia. The nation couldn’t ask for a more respectable, talented figurehead. Two Colombians (Fredy Rincon and Edwin Congo) have represented Los Blancos in the past, but their careers in the Spanish capital were over quickly. James is a different story: he will be expected to return his massive transfer fee. He will play games, and score and assist goals. Fans will wear his name on their backs.
With David Ospina moving to Arsenal, James to Real, and strong rumors circulating of Juan Cuadrado’s imminent move to Barcelona, the World Cup has done nothing but good for Colombia global standing. They are now No. 4 in FIFA’s world ranking, and the number of la seleccion’s players now plying their trade for giants of the game will only improve Colombia’s national football team. Bring on the Copa America in Chile next summer, and Russia 2018! Vamos Colombia!
Chris
