No one can doubt that James Rodriguez is one of the best players in the history of Colombia and one of the best in the continent and the world. He was the scorer of the 2014 World Cup, a tournament in which he scored one of the best goals in the history of the World Cup and was chosen as the best player in the last Copa America where his national team played the final with Argentina.

But there is a dark side to this story: James always seems to have trouble fitting in at his clubs. There is hardly one from which he has not left in the midst of fights or scandals: Real Madrid, Bayern, Everton, Olimpiacos and more recently Rayo Vallecano form the list of clubs from which James has not left well.

It is worth asking whether these problems have not overshadowed him and perhaps the world has witnessed the story of the most unsuccessful talent in the history of soccer.

According to the website TransferMarkt, in 2018 he was worth US$80 million when he was at Bayern, now, to arrive at Mexican side Leon, it has been speculated that the transaction was worth $2.5 million.

In Mexico there is a lot of expectation. This transfer, which has provoked divided opinions, reinforces the tradition of Mexican clubs attracting renowned international players at an advanced stage of their careers.

Carlos Calderón, a Mexican soccer historian, considers James Rodríguez to be "one of the greatest figures to have arrived in Mexican soccer in recent years. However, he also recognizes that many of these signings, such as Ronaldinho, Dani Alves and André-Pierre Gignac in the last decade, tend to occur in the twilight of their careers.

James, 33, arrives after an irregular run at clubs in different leagues, including Everton (England), Al-Rayyan (Qatar), Olympiacos (Greece), Sao Paulo (Brazil) and Rayo Vallecano (Spain). This itinerancy has raised doubts about his ability to remain consistent in a team, a recurring theme in discussions about his recruitment.

Ricardo "Tuca" Ferretti, former coach and now commentator, did not hesitate to point out that his signing responds more to what James represented in the past than to his current situation. Tuca can be challenged by showing James' performance in recent international tournaments with the Colombian national team. It can even be said that he is far from his decline.

Despite the criticism, James has arrived at Leon with optimism. At his official presentation, he assured that he was in good physical condition and committed to demonstrating his ability. "I am aware that the demands will be high, and I like that," said the Colombian.

El León is shaping up to be a favorable environment for the player. The club has a base of Colombian players, such as Stiven Barreiro, John Mendoza and Edgar Guerra, which could facilitate his adaptation. In addition, he will be accompanied by Andrés Guardado, who, at the age of 38, decided to extend his professional career to form part of the team's midfield.

Carlos Calderón stresses that Mexican soccer, in certain aspects, has similarities with Colombian football, something that could be a key factor for James to achieve optimum performance.

Copa America endorsement

James' recent performance with the Colombian national team at the 2024 Copa América, where the team was runner-up, is a point in his favor. During that tournament, he showed flashes of his quality, which has generated expectations among fans and analysts in Mexico.

Christian Martinoli, commentator for TV Azteca, highlighted James' ability to make a difference, even if he does not reach his maximum level. "With 50 or 60 percent of his performance he could be a determining factor in León," he said.

Leon's technical director, Eduardo Berizzo, will also play a key role in James' integration. His ability to motivate the player and adapt him to the team's tactical scheme will be crucial to the Colombian's success in Mexican soccer.

The arrival of James Rodriguez has already generated excitement in Leon, Guanajuato. The city is experiencing "Jamesmania" with green jerseys bearing the Colombian's number 10 proliferating among the fans. This phenomenon demonstrates that the impact of the signing goes beyond the sporting aspect, becoming a boost for marketing and positioning the club internationally.

Leon, Mexico's current representative in the upcoming Club World Cup, is betting heavily on James as a key element to compete in that tournament. For the player, this opportunity represents an important showcase to revitalize his career and demonstrate that he can still perform at the highest level.
 

With information from AFP