Rodriguez, the Colombian striker has stolen all the light from this FIFA world cup Brazil. Rodriguez scored six goals and won Golden Boot.
Rodriguez is now Golden boot boy. Real Madrid on Tuesday signed Colombian striker James Rodriguez, the top scorer at the World Cup, from Monaco on a six season contract. Spanish media said Real paid about EUR80 million ($108m) for Rodriguez, making him one of the most expensive players ever.
Neither club gave a figure, but Monaco said it was “one of the biggest transfers in football history.” Rodriguez, 23, scored six goals for Colombia at the World Cup to win the Golden Boot award. A spectacular volley against Uruguay went down as one of the best goals of any World Cup. Rodriguez had only been at Monaco for one year but his sizzling performance at the World Cup made him the number one target for many European clubs. In a FIFA.com poll released Monday, his volley against Uruguay in the last 16 was declared goal of the World Cup by more than four million voters — three quarters of those who took part. Monaco paid EUR45 million ($60m) when he signed from FC Porto of Portugal. Rodriguez went to the World Cup as Colombia`s second best known striker. But Radamel Falcao was injured in January leaving the starring role to his Monaco teammate as Colombia reached the last 16 for the first time.
Uruguay`s coach Oscar Tabarez compared Rodriguez to Argentine legends Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi, Rodriguez started his career at 16 for Colombian second division side Envigado FC and built up an immediate reputation. In 2008, he was signed by Argetinian side Atletico Banfield where he became known as “James Bond of Banfield” after scoring an extraordinary left-footed lob for the unfashionable side in February 2010. He moved to FC Porto in Portugal where more spectacular goals brought three league titles in three seasons. Monaco bought him in May 2013. Rodriguez prides himself most in having been dubbed `El Pibe Nueva` (the New Kid) in place of Carlos Valderrama, Colombia`s star of the 1990s, who was called `El Pibe`.
Rodriguez At a galnce Name: James David Rodríguez Rubio, usually known as James Rodríguez or simply James Birthday: July 12, 1991 (age 23), Cutcuta, Colombia Hight: 1.80 m Marital status: Married, Wife Daniela Ospina (m. 2011) Color: white