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Colombian winger James Rodriguez was the darling of this World Cup after his heroic performances took Colombia to their first ever quarter-finals in World Cup history. Rodriguez has got five goals and two assists to his name which won him the Golden Boot race.The 22-year-old Colombian starlet has been in the limelight after he helped his side to overpower Uruguay in the round of 16 clash with his double. His volleyed opening goal was described as "one of the greatest goals the World Cup has ever seen" by the opposition manager Óscar Tabárez, who also called Rodriguez "the best player in the World Cup."With him joining Real Madrid as the latest Galactico, it is a given that fans are about to commence a frantic search to know all they can about this superstar. Here are ten facts that you need to know about Real Madrid's next sensation.
#1 It is not \'James\'; it is \"Hahm-ess\" Rodriguez
James Rodriguez was born on July 12th,1991 in Cúcuta, a city near Colombia’s Venezuelan border, to Wilson James Rodriguez Bedolla and Maria Del Pilar Rubio.
One thing to be noted here is that his first name – James is not to be pronounced in a typical English fashion. His name is pronounced in a Colombian cum Spainsh accent which sounds like ‘Hahm-ess Rod-ri-guess.’
As rest of the English speaking world has been learning to pronounce ‘James’ as ‘Ha-mez’, here you can listen to the right way of pronouncing his name.
#2 His wonder goal in Pony Futbol championships 2004
Every year in Colombia, Pony Futbol championship grabs huge attention with games being telecasted and scouts rushing to the event in order to find the new breed of talent. It is widely regarded as one of Colombian football’s best breeding grounds. In fact, another Colombian hero, Radamel Falcao shone out from this competition in 1998 edition.
Unsurprisingy, James Rodriguez is also a product of this youth system. The 2004 edition of Pony Futbol championship was the turniong point in Rodriguez’ career.
Finishing as the top scorer and the best player, he caught the attention of various scouts which eventually gave him his first professional debut later in 2007.
Besides, the wonder goal that he scored directly from a corner left the greatest impression on him.
#3 He was spotted by Upegui Lopez, an ex-aid of the drug-baron Pablo Escobar
Besides his sheer talent, hard work and his personal tutor Omar Suarez’ masterful coaching, he owes his current ‘star’ status to Gustavo Adolfo Upegui Lopez, a Colombian businessman who was an associate of the infamous drug dealer Pablo Escobar.
The drug lord, who had been jailed for 21 times under various kidnapping cases in the 1990’s, was impressed with Rodriguez’s show in youth competitions and went on to scoop the budding talent from Academia Tolimense – Rodriguez’s former academy.
Gustavo Adolfo Upegui Lopez, the then president of Envigado football club, was instrumental in providing Rodríguez with his first professional debut at a tender age of 16.
Though Rodríguez just spent one season (2007-08) at Envigado, the youngster utilised the wonderful opportunity to create a perfect base for himself from where he would reach the skies.
#4 Youngest player ever to win \'Portuguese golden ball\' award
In his very first season in Portugal, he scored six goals and provided eight assists in just 24 appearances also playing a significant part in the Europa League victory.
In the 2011-12 season, Rodriguez scored 14 goals for Porto and delivered 11 assists thereby bagging the LPFP Award for Breakthrough Player of 2011–12.
Later, he was also awarded the “Portuguese Golden Ball” in 2012 which is given to the best player in the Primera Liga. By winning this honour, he became the second Colombian after Radamel Falcao to win the award. He also became the youngest player ever to hold this honour.
#5 James Rodriguez was heavily linked with a move to Manchester United in 2012
As James Rodriguez was referred as the “next Cristiano Ronaldo” by Porto, he was on the radar of Sir Alex Ferguson in 2012.
Fergie, as always, rightly spotted the budding talent and made a move for the Colombian in the 2012 winter transfer window as a potential replacement for Nani and Anderson.
Porto, realising that they possessed a diamond-like player with them, had increased his release clause to £35 million from £24 milion by signing a new five-year deal with him.
Therefore, Manchester United made a stunning bid for the youngster only to see it rejected by Porto citing “insufficent fee.”
#6 High profile transfer to Real Madrid
His move from Monaco to Real Madrid for a reported £63 million makes him the 4th most expensive transfer. This is not the first time a team has broken the bank for him.
French side AS Monaco matched the release clause of Rodriguez in May 2013 and was subsequently sold for a huge fee which is believed to be around £38.5 million.
This record transfer made him the second most expensive transfer in Portuguese history and It also made him one of the most expensive players in the history of Ligue 1. (11th on the list of most expensive transfers)
#7 Ligue 1 team of the year 2013-14
After moving to a new cub in a different country, he adapted himself to the situations very quickly by scoring 10 goals in his first season.
With 12 assists, James Rodriguez topped the assists chart of the 2013-14 Ligue 1 season.
He also made it to the 2013-14 Ligue 1 team of the year along with the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva.
Though the 22-year-old ended up without a trophy in France, he helped AS Monaco to finish in the Champions League places in its first attempt.
#8 He was captain of Colombia in 2011 U-20 World Cup
After noticing his leadership skills, brisk football and consistent performances with Porto, he was given the chance to lead the Colombian team in the 2011 Under-20 FIFA World Cup.
During the cup, he scored three goals and provided three assists whichled many to consider him to be a crucial contestant for a place inthe Colombian senior squad.
He led the team to the quarter-finals where his team lost to Mexico. However, his shrewd leadership skillsearned him lots of praises from various coaches.
#9 The No.10 of Colombia
Adapting a strong playmaker role along with goal scoring runs, he is considered as the heir to his Colombian predecessor – Carlos Valderrama.
Coach Jose Peckerman handed a 20-year-old Rodríguez the No.10 shirt previously worn by Carlos “El Pibe” Valderrama.
Rodriguez was also handed the iconic number 10 jersey in Porto for the 2012/13 season, and yes, he will sport the number 10 jersey for Real Madrid.
#10 He is married to team-mate Ospina\'s sister
Off the pitch, James Rodríguez is married to Daniela Ospina, sister of David Ospina – present Colombian goalkeeper and team-mate of Rodriguez.
James Rodriguez and Daniela Ospina have been married for three years and have a one-year-old daughter Salome.
