In the past decade of Real Madrid’s history, a great number of midfielders brought their unique style of playing in this great club which resulted in a lot of glory for them.
Real Madrid is one of the most decorated clubs in the world, as many great players have played in the royal color, from Zinedine Zidane to Toni Kroos. Those legends played at the Santiago Bernabeu with a great passion for the club, similarly, a Colombian international named ‘James Rodriguez’ the central attacking midfielder from Cúcuta, Colombia had his chance of playing for Los Blancos.
James Rodriguez was a World cup hero who won the World cup golden boot in 2014, scoring six goals in the 2014 World cup campaign. Later in 2014, he was awarded the Puskas award for the goal he scored against Uruguay in the World cup 2014. After his astonishing performance for Colombia, he was known as the “GOLDEN BOY”
James started well off in Madrid under Carlo Ancelotti but later under Zidane, he faced problems getting his position in the starting XI. The style of his didn’t suit in Zidane’s plan and sadly the Colombian was leaving the Spanish capital and was heading to Merseyside, England. James is set to sign with English club Everton after the 2019-20 season.
As a fan of his, I wanted to see more from the Colombian but sadly he couldn’t fit in Madrid’s plan. He will always be in the hearts of fellow Madridista’s and it would be an immense joy to see him succeed in his new club.
Here are some of his best memories as a Madridista.
Signing for Los Blancos
After astonishing performances for Colombia in FIFA World Cup 2014, the golden boy was in eyes of Spanish side Real Madrid. In World Cup 2014, James expressed his passion and love for Real Madrid, he said it would be a ”life’s dream” to play for Los Blancos.
On July 22, 2014, James was presented in Santiago Bernabéu with over 45000 Madridista’s in Chamartín. The Colombian made his move from Monaco to Madrid with a six-year contract with the Spanish club for a fee of £63 million. At that time, this was the fourth-most expensive transfer in the world and third-most expensive in Real Madrid’s history, and most expensive Colombian ever.
The Colombian President stated that James was changing Colombian Footballing history and the entire country is standing behind the golden boy. The golden boy wore the famous No.10 following some greats to wear the shirt like Fernando Hierro, Luis Figo, and Mesut Ozil.
The number 10 in the footballing world is heavy, fans of Real Madrid had high expectations for the new signing. James was ready for all the hurdles in his way at Madrid and prepared to show that he is worthy enough to play at this huge club.
Debut for Real Madrid
James Rodriguez made his debut for Real Madrid under Italian manager Carlo Ancelotti, he made his debut in UEFA super cup final against Sevilla, in which Los Blancos won 2-0. James made a decent performance in his debut, he played 72 minutes in his debut game and later he was replaced by Spanish international Isco.
Later in La Liga James, had a stunning performance in his first season with Real. He scored 12 goals and provided 12 assists for which he was named as ‘Best Midfielder of the 2014/15 Liga BBVA season’.
The Colombian made UEFA champions league debut with Real in a group stage match against FC Basel which Real won 5-1 and James scored 4th goal in the game. James had a decent UCL season with Real.
James had an astonishing first season with Los Blancos, James netted 17 goals and delivered 18 assists for his fellow mates in Madrid. James was already a fan favorite, he showed passion and commitment towards the club.
The first goal in Royal White
The first goal is always beautiful in your new club, fans, media, and all others eagerly wait for the moment to occur and it becomes the headline on the next day. It is the best feeling to score your first goal in new colors its a confidence boost and you always look forward to scoring more.
James scored his first goal for Real in Santiago Bernabéu against city rivals Club Atlético de Madrid in the first leg of the Spanish super cup. He came as a substitute for Cristiano Ronaldo at half time and scored the only goal from the Real side, later the match ended with 1-1. James also ended up being the first Colombian goalscorer for Real Madrid.
It was a great honor for Rodriguez to be the first Colombian to score for Real. James scored the first UEFA champions league goal for Real Madrid in the group stage match against FC Basel. It was his 2nd goal for Los Blancos.
After scoring the first goal for the club the expectations rise from everywhere and its the time when James showed his class by scoring more goals later on in that season. James for me is clinical in front of the goal and his finishing skills are cherished by the fan base.
Silverware in Madrid
A player in his professional football career dreams to grab every possible silverware for his club so was James dreaming of winning everything for his beloved club. James had a great number of trophies here in Madrid. Not to forget James won silverware in his first appearance by winning the UEFA super cup in Cardiff. Later he went on winning many prestigious awards in Real, both on the club level and individual level.
He made into the La Liga team of the year in his debut season and was awarded La Liga best midfielder of the season in the same season(2014-15). He made it into the UEFA Team of the year in 2015, Facebook FA La Liga Best Goal(2016 ), and Copa del Rey top assist provider in the 2016-17 season.
He won several trophies at Real like La Liga: 2016–17, 2019–20,Supercopa de España: 2019–20,UEFA Champions League: 2015–16, 2016–17,UEFA Super Cup: 2014, 2016 and FIFA Club World Cup: 2014, 2016.
James had a decent spell at Real Madrid and won important matches and trophies for his club. He earned huge respect by winning all this silverware, both in Madrid and his home country Colombia. James showed his enthusiasm for the badge and always remained a fan favorite in Madrid.
Return and end at Real Madrid
Since Zidane took over Real Madrid in 2016, James failed to gain playing time under Zidane despite giving 100 percent on the pitch. Later he was loaned to Bayern Munich for 2 years long deal. James was reunited with his old boss Carlo Ancelotti where he was comfortable under his management. He had an amazing loan spell where he made 67 appearances for the German side scoring 15 goals and providing 20 assists.
In 2019 Bayern refused to sign the Colombian as a permanent deal and the lad returned to his home in Madrid.
After his return in Spain, he made several appearances and he scored in Match-day 8 against Granada and pulled off his t-shirt as part of celebration after scoring on 92nd min of the game. Real Madrid won La Liga 2020 and it was the last silverware for the Colombian in Madrid. James was not in Zidane’s plan for a future project and was put on the selling list.
The Colombian is heading to Everton. James didn’t get the end he dreamed of in Madrid but not all dreams come true, not every ending is happy and he parted his way from the Spanish capital. James will always be remembered as one the best midfielder played in this royal white shirt.