5 years, 6 teams, 6 countries - Former Real Madrid star J Ronaldo s wandering path

Since leaving Real Madrid, Colombian star James Rodriguez's career has been ups and downs. In the past five years, he has been in six teams, crossed six countries, and experienced more than 100 days of free time without the ball, but he also won the MVP in the Copa America. His experience is a football life about talent, struggle and persistence.

"I chose Real Madrid because I want to chase glory"

In the summer of 2014, James joined Real Madrid from Monaco for 80 million euros, becoming one of the most dazzling transfers since that World Cup. He shined in the Brazil World Cup and won the Golden Boot Award, attracting the attention of the world's top clubs.

"The person who convinced me was Florentino." James recalled in an interview. "He asked me, 'Do you want money or glory?' I said, 'I want glory, Mr. Chairman.' He said, 'Okay, that's it.'" James was at the peak of his career at the time, but he wouldn't have thought that in just six years, a new journey would begin, which was far more twists and turns than he expected.

From the Bernabeu to displacement: Five years, six teams, six countries

On September 7, 2020, James officially bid farewell to Real Madrid and turned to Everton. From that moment on, his career seemed to have entered a cycle of constant migration. In the past five years, he has played for:

England: Everton

Qatar: Alreyan

Greece: Olympiacos

Brazil: Sao Paulo

UAE: Alvasl

Mexico: Leon

During the period, many contracts were terminated before they were completed, and his condition had been fluctuated due to injury suspensions. He has never been able to take root in one place for more than a year.

"What he lacks is spending more than six months in a place. Understanding the league, building relationships with his teammates, finding tacit understanding on and off the court - these are crucial for a player's growth." Argentine coach Giulio Cesar Falcioni, who once coached young James, commented.

The light of the national team vs. The confusion of the club

Although they have been repeatedly frustrated in the club, James has always shined in the Colombia national team. He proved with his performance that he still had the top level and became the MVP of the event again in the 2024 Copa America.

"He found trust in the national team, the kind of trust that allows him to display all his talents." said Eduardo Lara, former Colombian national youth coach. "But in the club, he never found the space that could allow him to display with peace of mind."

Now, James is trying to regain himself in Mexico. He joined Leon with a high-standard debut ceremony and was called "Fighter" by fans. He performed well in the beginning and gradually adapted to the new environment.

"He is in better shape now, and the team should give him a sense of belonging. This kind of continuity and stable performance are the most important," Falcioni said.

Larra also said: "He showed his true strength in Mexico, which shows that as long as he feels comfortable, he can dedicate his best self to football."

Deep love between master and apprentice: Ancelotti is the person he trusts most

James never concealed his respect for Ancelotti. He once publicly stated: "Ship An not only made me better, but also made Vinicius, Rodrigo, Valverde and others reach incredible heights. He made Kaka the world number one."

However, when Ship An notes Everton in 2021, James' fate also changed. Benitez, who took over, told him on the first day of pre-season training camp: "You are old, 30 years old, I prefer young people." The conflict between the two actually laid the groundwork as early as Real Madrid's time. At that time, Benitez replaced James, who had just scored, which aroused the dissatisfaction of the fans and made the players feel grudges.

Benitez's explanation: It's not distrust, but attendance rate issues

Benitez later said in an interview: "If a player can only play 50% of the game, it will be difficult for us to build a team around him. We must maximize the existing resources."

Travel to Qatar: Injuries hindered his pace

In September 2021, James joined the Qatar club Alreyan, but he terminated his contract early due to frequent muscle injuries in less than a year. He played there 16 times, scored 5 goals and assisted 7 times, but he was unable to stay healthy.

James, now 34 years old, is still writing his football life in his own way. He may no longer be as brilliant as he used to be, but his love and persistence for the game has never faded.

As his mentor Lara said, "What he needs is a place that truly believes in him and gives him space. Once he has such a soil, he can still bloom the most beautiful flowers."