James Rodriguez, Colombia
James Rodriguez, Colombia
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | James David Rodríguez Rubio | ||
| Date of birth | 12 July 1991 (age 22) | ||
| Place of birth | Cúcuta, Colombia | ||
| Height | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) | ||
| Playing position | Attacking midfielder / Winger | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Monaco | ||
| Number | 10 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1995–2007 | Envigado | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 2007–2008 | Envigado | 30 | (9) |
| 2008–2010 | Banfield | 42 | (5) |
| 2010–2013 | Porto | 63 | (25) |
| 2013– | Monaco | 34 | (9) |
| National team‡ | |||
| 2007 | Colombia U17 | 11 | (3) |
| 2011 | Colombia U20 | 5 | (3) |
| 2011– | Colombia | 21 | (4) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 10 May 2014. † Appearances (Goals).‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 5 March 2014 |
|||
Club: AS Monaco
Colombia are many people’s alternative pick to win the 2014 FIFA World Cup, and their cause is certainly aided by the fact that the competition takes place very close to home soil.
In the CONMEBOL qualifiers, Los Cafeteros were dominant, picking up 30 points from 16 matches and finishing second only to Argentina in the final standings.
James Rodriguez is the star man in the side, playing from the flanks in Jose Pekerman’s fluid 4-2-2-2 formation. The system accentuates his strong dribbling, piercing running and immense technical ability, while also allowing his good work ethic to come to the fore.
He notched three goals in 15 games during qualifying, but it’s the link he’s forged with striker Radamel Falcao—who also plays for Monaco at club level—that impresses the most.
Rodriguez has tricky feet, works hard off the ball and is as comfortable in the wide areas as he is drifting inside.
