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| james & cristiano ronaldo |
It was a celebration we'd seen often, James
Rodriguez jogging toward the corner flag, elbow tucked in, finger formed
like pistol pointing at the crowd. On previous occasions we'd seen the
celebration performed with verve, but this time it was somewhat muted,
coming in the middle of Real Madrid's mauling of Getafe in a game of little-to-no consequence on the season's final day.
Yet, in this exhibition-like 90 minutes, the act preceding
Rodriguez's celebration had stood out, leaving behind it a vivid image
that felt like a forerunner for a future Real Madrid will soon face.
In the moments earlier the Colombian had stood over a free-kick,
lining it up as though he was preparing to be the decoy. This was Cristiano Ronaldo
territory after all. Ronaldo's domain. His area of authority. But
Ronaldo then did the unexpected, pausing and clearing the way for
Rodriguez. Appreciative, the 23-year-old curled it over the wall and
past Jordi Codina with astonishing ease. Goal. Celebration.
Two team-mates, separated by seven years but connected by the Galactico tag, embraced.
At the time it felt symbolic, and with each day that passes it continues to do so. Ronaldo will soon need a successor at Real Madrid, someone to pass the torch to, someone to whom he can hand over the keys to the kingdom. Coming off a 61-goal season, the Portuguese isn't ready to do so just yet. But when he is, when the time comes, Rodriguez is waiting, primed to take them.
Overblown? Maybe. But consider the whole package; there's something to it.
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| james - celebrates his goal |
He's an archetypal Real Madrid star.
If you were to put together a showreel of the Colombian's 2014-15 season, it would be as eye-catching as nearly any in Europe. There was his lashed volley from an absurd angle at Los Carmenes against Granada; his swerving, long-range thump at the Riazor against Deportivo La Coruna; his outrageous, first-time blast at the Bernabeu against Almeria; his dual one-two special at home against Malaga.
Naturally, the World Cup sensation's reel couldn't match the sheer volume of Ronaldo's, the dazzling feet of Lionel Messi's or the tenacious power of Luis Suarez's. But maybe only Messi could put together a more breathtaking visual package. On highlights alone, Rodriguez had nearly every player on the continent covered, accounting for practically half of Real Madrid's most memorable strikes on his own.
What's more, he did it in just his first season at one of Europe's behemoths. At 23. Following extreme scrutiny. Burdened by a £63 million price tag.
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| james - celebrates his goals with fans |
"The 3-in-1 James," Marca dubbed him, rejoicing in the way he "runs, scores and assists." On that occasion, the Madrid-based daily pictured Rodriguez in silvery-white armour, a purple cape on his back, a Superman logo splashed across his chest and a glow emanating from his outline.
"The Colombian cat arrived in a jungle with an overpopulation of midfielders and took no time to let roar," Marca added, and at other points labelled him "St. James," "James the jellifier," "James—the great Whites' hope" and most significantly, "King James," playing on the nickname of another worldwide phenomenon.
Marca, of course, has never been shy to anoint a star, but the regularity with which it did so last season was notable.
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| goal celebration |
Whereas Gareth Bale has become a polarising figure in Chamartin because of a questionable defensive contribution, Rodriguez's willingness to put in a shift, as the saying goes, has endeared him to a fanbase very much accustomed to over-indulged footballing icons.
Prepared to track back, tackle, harass and scrap, Rodriguez's two-way commitment is indicative of that which is becoming increasing necessary for the game's leading players at a time when performances can be stripped to their bare bones by almost anyone owning a computer and a web browser.
Take this for example: According to WhoScored.com, Bale was significantly out-tackled by Rodriguez (26 to 40) in less minutes in La Liga last season, and needed almost double the shots (103 to 53) to score exactly the same number of goals (13).
That bodes well for Rodriguez as a new-age star, his efficiency already having a profound effect on the Real Madrid outfit he's still only new to.
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| james - the superman |
When he arrived in Madrid, he was exclusively a No. 10, a gifted technician who liked to sit behind the striker and manipulate a game with his dazzling left boot. Twelve months down the line, he's still that but also so much more. In 2014-15 he played on the left and the right; in central midfield and attacking midfield and as a wide forward. He was a roaring success in all of them; all that's left to show is an ability to play as a false nine and he's mastered the set. Thus, what Real Madrid are getting bundled with Rodriguez's precocious individual flair is systematic versatility as the Colombian gradually shifts toward the team's most prominent role.
That shift may be 12 months from completion. It could be 24. It could be more. What's clear is that it will need Ronaldo to step aside to allow it do so, and Ronaldo still has so much to offer Real Madrid.
But when the Portuguese is ready to hand over the keys to the kingdom, Rodriguez looks every bit his natural successor, the player ready to carry forward the Real Madrid star cocktail and give it a modern twist.
source: bleacherreport.com
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