James Rodríguez

James Rodríguez is a Colombian professional footballer, born on July 12, 1991, in Cúcuta, Colombia. He is well-regarded as one of the most gifted footballers of his generation. Rodríguez began his professional career with Envigado FC before transferring to Porto in 2010, where he achieved significant success and recognition.

Rodríguez is known for his vision, technique, playmaking ability, and finishing. He has received several individual awards, including the Golden Boot award in the 2014 FIFA World Cup, and has set records such as being the youngest foreigner to debut in the Argentine Primera División.

Off the field, Rodríguez is recognized for his philanthropy, having made significant charitable contributions, and for influencing millions of football fans worldwide.

Envigado FC

• Youth and Early Career: Rodríguez was born and raised in Colombia and started his career at Envigado FC. He made his first-team debut for the club in 2006 at the tender age of 14.

Porto

• International Success: Rodríguez signed with Porto in 2010. There, he developed into one of the world's best midfielders, winning three Primeira Liga titles, the UEFA Europa League, and earning a place in the UEFA Europa League Squad of the Season in 2011.

AS Monaco

• Record-breaking Transfer: In 2013, Rodríguez transferred to AS Monaco for a record fee for a Colombian player. He impressed in his one season at the club before moving on to Real Madrid.

Real Madrid

• Champions League Success: Rodríguez joined Real Madrid in 2014, where he won two UEFA Champions League titles.
  Individual Awards: At Real Madrid, Rodríguez won the Golden Foot award in 2017.

Bayern Munich

• New Challenges: Rodríguez joined Bayern Munich on loan in 2017, winning two Bundesliga titles during his time there.

Everton

• Reunion with Ancelotti: In 2020, Rodríguez signed with Everton, reuniting with his former coach Carlo Ancelotti. His performances in the Premier League have been well received.

Colombia National Team

• Debut: Made his debut for Colombia in 2011.

Achievements:

• FIFA World Cup: Golden Boot Winner in 2014.
• Copa América: Rodríguez has represented Colombia in multiple Copa América tournaments, with the team reaching the semi-finals in 2016.
• Rodríguez is one of Colombia's most capped players and is among the national team's top scorers.

• Position: Primarily an attacking midfielder, but also adept as a winger.
• Skills: Known for his vision, passing range, technique, and goal-scoring ability. Rodríguez is celebrated for his versatility, free-kick taking, and playmaking skills.

• Family: Rodríguez has one daughter. He was married to Daniela Ospina, sister of Colombian international goalkeeper David Ospina.
• Philanthropy: Rodríguez is involved in various charitable activities and has made significant donations to children's hospitals and disaster relief efforts.

• James Rodríguez is admired not only for his immense talent and numerous records but also for his work ethic, determination, and impact on Colombian football. His influence extends beyond the pitch, inspiring millions of fans around the world.

Golden Boot in FIFA World Cup:

• 6 goals in 2014

Most Goals in a Primeira Liga Season:

• 14 goals in the 2011-2012 season

Most Assists in a Bundesliga Season:

• 14 assists in the 2017-2018 season

Most Appearances and Goals for Colombia:

• One of the most capped players and top scorers

Books

• Caioli, L. (2015) James Rodríguez: The Incredible Rise of Colombia's James. New York: Icon Books.

Websites

• FIFA: Information about James Rodríguez’s international career and achievements. Available at: https://www.fifa.com
• Real Madrid: Details about Rodríguez’s career at Real Madrid. Available at: https://www.realmadrid.com
• Bayern Munich: Updates on Rodríguez’s performance and records at Bayern Munich. Available at: https://www.fcbayern.com
• Everton: Official site with updates on Rodríguez’s achievements at Everton. Available at: https://www.evertonfc.com
• UEFA: Updates and records of Rodríguez in UEFA competitions. Available at: https://www.uefa.com

Articles

• BBC Sport: James Rodríguez: Career in numbers. Available at: https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/
• The Guardian: James Rodríguez’s career highlights and records. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/football/james-rodriguez

Interviews and Documentaries

• James Rodríguez: The Path to Glory (2014): This documentary provides a detailed look at Rodríguez’s life and career, featuring interviews with his family, friends, and colleagues.
• ESPN Interviews: Various interviews and features on James Rodríguez, covering different aspects of his career. Available at: https://www.espn.com