He dazzled at the 2014 World Cup, scoring spectacular goals at will, and Florentino Pérez, always eager for spectacle, brought James Rodríguez to Real Madrid that same summer in a transfer worth €75,000,000.Exactly ten years later, James is returning to La Liga. However, this time, not through the front door, but through a small door opened by Rayo Vallecano.The charming club from the outskirts of Madrid previously managed to secure the signature of Radamel Falcao, another beloved Colombian, though far from the peak of his career. James, too, is no longer in his prime. The days when opposing defenders feared him are long gone. He spent the last season at São Paulo, played before that for Olympiacos, and even earlier for Al-Rayyan.✅ 𝐎𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋 | @jamesdrodriguez , nuevo jugador del Rayo Vallecano 👑 El MVP de la Copa América 2024 llega al Club en la temporada del Centenario ¡Bienvenido, James! ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/fBiXdSTJKg— Rayo Vallecano (@RayoVallecano) August 26, 2024 Just when everyone thought it was only a matter of time before he announced his retirement, James shone at the Copa América, leading Colombia to the final where they were defeated by Argentina. However, Rodríguez was named the tournament’s best player with a goal and six assists.Europe has taken notice again. Maybe not Real Madrid, but Rayo Vallecano certainly knows how to captivate at times. After all, they defeated Real Sociedad away in the first round of this season. Now, they’ve given us all another reason to pay attention.James has arrived as a free agent and signed a one-year contract with the option to extend the collaboration for an additional season.##NAJAVA_MECA_8290594##
