Back in 2014, when the world was engrossed in the samba tunes of Brazil, Colombian midfielder James Rodriguez was busy controlling the Fifa world cup tournament under his feet. His volley against Uruguay is still in the vault of FIFA for being one of the best goals ever produced in the tournament. It was halcyon days for the Colombian star as clubs did a beeline waiting to splash millions to secure the service of this 2014 golden boot winner.

Thus it came as no surprise when James decided his destination as Santiago Bernabéu. In the years to come, James would wear the revered sleeve of Real Madrid FC and play the sport in its true grandeur.

But like any tragic melodrama, doomsday arrived soon for this Colombian wonder kid. A brief loan spell with Bayern in Germany did bring some needed silverware to the trophy cabinet but his days were far from Edenic in Allianz Arena. In 2021, James ended up in Everton to the surprise of many. His hasty decisions were pondered by critics but James worked his way to adapt to the most rigorous football tournament in the world, the English premier league. Remember, he was then just 28 years back then and probably at his prime of the game.

However, he was again sent for a season-long spell before being sold to Qatari side Al-Rayyan and then joining Olympiakos on a free transfer last term. During earlier months of 2023, James was made to sit isolated as no clubs showed interest in signing the once wonder of the world. James thus had to endure an arduous wait before Brazilian giants Sao Paulo decided to rope in the 32-year-old Colombian as a free agent. James was released from Olympiakos Piraeus in April.

He won the Champions League twice with Real and two La Liga titles after lifting the Europa League with Porto.