After 10 years, James Rodriguez continues to show his trademark football, as captivating and attractive as the summer days of Brazil 2014.

Summer Memories

Exactly 10 years ago, on a sunny summer day in the land of Samba, the then 23-year-old James Rodriguez shot up the world football sky like a shooting star. In fact, there have been many shooting stars that have appeared on the football stage. But the Colombian midfielder still knew how to leave his own mark in the memories of his fans. Those memories are sweet, clear and full of energy, just like a summer day.

With his slicked-back hair, his boyish face and his charming left foot, James Rodriguez brings a typical South American look to the pitch. In Brazil, James scored 6 goals – more than top strikers like Messi, Ronaldo or Klose to win the Golden Boot award. More importantly, James’s goals in the summer of 2014 seemed to open up a promising future for the midfielder who was then on the payroll of AS Monaco.

James Rodriguez had an unforgettable summer 2014

What had to happen happened, not long after the summer in the land of Samba, James arrived at Real Madrid – as the top scorer of the World Cup. Combined with his attractive appearance, the striker born in 1991 seemed to meet all the requirements from necessary to sufficient to become a piece in the galaxy that president Florentino Perez built.

But then the sparkling, attractive performance that James brought like the summer sunshine gradually faded and was swallowed by the dark winter night. James’s contribution to Real Madrid gradually decreased, proportional to the number of opportunities the Colombian striker was given at Los Blancos. James gradually lost connection with the Spanish team, lost connection with the football that was once his trademark.

James tried to regain his form, by taking trains to Munich and Liverpool. But neither the red of Bayern nor the blue of Everton could bring back the image of James Rodriguez in the fresh yellow of the past. Sailing away from the old continent could not help James find the image he had lost.

James Rodriguez’s contribution was lackluster during his time at Real Madrid.

On the contrary, the striker’s experiences in Qatar were so forgettable that he soon returned to Europe after only 13 games. There are many reasons given to explain James’ decline, even his disappearance from the world football map and from the subconscious of fans. His somewhat outdated playing style, poor adaptability or lack of discipline are often “labeled” to James (as well as many other South American players).

In fact, it is a bit redundant to doubt the professionalism of a player who won the Champions League and scored 6 goals in a World Cup. But there have been many times in his career when James made fans wonder and regret the way this midfielder “treated” his potential.

Instead of working hard to compete for a position, James was frustrated with having to train in -20 degrees Celsius weather in Munich. James did not consider choosing a suitable destination for himself, instead, this striker blindly “followed” Carlo Ancelotti to Everton – only to see Carletto return to Real Madrid after 1 year.Even in a less competitive environment like Al-Rayyan, James did not contribute significantly. The midfielder born in 1991 brought to Qatar the mentality of a superstar (but in reality it was past its prime) and refused to integrate with the specific regulations in this Islamic country.

Coach Marcelo Bielsa once said that football is becoming less and less attractive, because the factors that make this sport attractive are no longer as numerous as before. In a certain perspective, James Rodriguez can be considered a testament to that statement, when the type of player considered to be the embodiment of beautiful football, some are drowned by the vicissitudes of life. Others waste their potential, turning themselves into regrets instead of superstars!

Bring back memories

Ten years after those sunny summer days in Brazil, James Rodriguez continues to make people talk about himself thanks to his impressive performance in the United States. James’ face, hair and the dance on his feet seem to have changed little, despite the ups and downs that this striker has experienced in a full decade.

James Rodriguez happy after leading Colombia to Copa America final

Fans still see the image of a passionate and attractive James Rodriguez of the past. In the journey to the semi-finals, James contributed to 7 of Colombia’s 11 goals. James is also unrivaled in creating opportunities, having created 17 opportunities for his teammates, with 5 of them being clear scoring situations. FotMob rated James’ performance in this year’s Copa at 8.31 – the second highest in the tournament, after Venezuela’s John Aramburu. 

Before the 2024 Copa America, James Rodriguez seemed to have disappeared from the world football map and faded from the minds of fans. If not googled, perhaps not many people would remember that the striker born in 1991 has played for Sao Paulo since 2023 and James’s luggage to the tournament in the US is only an average of 36 minutes of playing time for the Brazilian team since the beginning of the season.

James Rodriguez plays impressively at Copa America 2024

Despite his poor form for the club, James was still trusted by coach Nesto Lorenzo. He still gave the former Real Madrid star the captain’s armband, still placed the striker at the heart of the system he had built. That trust was duly rewarded when James rose from the аshes of oblivion, playing captivating, artistic football and leading Colombia to the final.

The image of James Rodriguez at Copa America 2024 easily evokes in fans’ hearts nostalgia for a vibrant summer 10 years ago. There was a boy who made many football lovers’ hearts flutter. But then that very boy could not reach his full potential.

James Rodriguez turns 33 today and the Copa America is almost certainly the Colombian’s “last dance”. The mighty Argentina awaits James Rodriguez and his teammates in the final, but no matter who the opponent is, James will give his all, as a way to enjoy the (possibly) last final of his career.