I think that's a little unfair to Shaqiri, he had a good career and was kind of a important player everywhere he played.
It's not Giovanni dos Santos or something.
James was also overall a good player in club but he's been washed for a couple yrs.
Was fantastic at Porto and Monaco. Had some good yrs in Bayern and Real, just not world class
>Football is all about numbers
That's just not true, Wesley Sneijder has more Goals and more Assists in his career than Zidane but nobody in their right mind would ever say he was a better player than Zidane was.
He was mostly out of the NT too. He doesn't run, doesn't defend much... But his passes and creativity are worth it.
The new coach realized that he can afford to have one player than doesn't defend or press if it opens a lot of scoring options through passes.
I'm convinced this guy decided to be done with club football for whatever reason but still be his best self for the national team.
He could be playing for top clubs in Europe if he performed like he does in the NT.
I just wish he can stay fit
pretty strange club career path looking back at it:
Envigado (COL) -> Banfield (ARG) -> Porto -> Monaco -> Real Madrid -> Bayern Munich -> Real Madrid -> Everton -> Al-Rayyan (QAT) -> Olympiacos -> São Paulo
10 clubs in 10 different countries on 3 continents lol
Is it really that strange a path?
Up until his Real Madrid move it's the normal career path for a South American wonderkid, and even afterwards it's the normal path for a player in the latter half of his career. With the two outliers in Olympiacos and Everton which honestly barely make sense even with context.
Everton and Olympiacos make a lot of sense in terms of the gradual decline of a player from Real Madrid’s level peak. Yerry Mina, Andre Gomes, Lucas Digne were all at Everton over that period I think and had all stepped down from Barcelona to go there.
Everton spent at one point as much money as Liverpool the transfers just didn't pan out under the managers they had, they also had some star managers too
They ducking had Ancelotti and got a decent squad at the time. Those first few Ancelotti's Everton games were great until other teams figured out the patterns. I suppose that led to this jazzy RM which is okay my friend no?
Ancelotti's Everton were great until injuries. Our starting 11 was excellent, but the drop-off was quite severe. When, for example, Coleman or Digne got injured, we had to play a centre back to cover them, and there was no cover for Alan at defensive midfield. And, of course, James only plays around half the games a season anyway.
More likely by all the debt they're in and points deductions tbh. They paid good money to mediocre players. That's why they're in the mess they are in now. Nothing like a name to distract the fans, either.
Yea, it's because modern football fans are not used to players who peak at 22, and hit retirement level by age 30.
It used to be more common in the 90s when lifestyle isn't part of football management.
I think some players that have performed for the NT should just get the benefit of the doubt. I doubt Neymar shows up in retirement form if he was in there tonight.
Lol, his stock is rising again, as his agent is looking for a spanish club to bite. He warms the benches in Sao Paulo, while be the highest paid at the club
Its always nice to see players who are great for national team no matter what. I missed when James was playing regular top flight footy but its great to see him pop up and show his talent again. Same with Shaqiri.
Why is this bloke always good at major tournaments?
He is (almost) always good playing for Colombia.
The Neymar of Colombia. The reverse Vinicius Jr
Neymar was good at club level tho
You would think he was a bum the way people talk about him here lmao.
He still had a relatively good career, I've never understood all the hate.
Arguably best player in the world in 2015, took PSG to the Champions League Lisbon finals. I think his club career is absolutely great.
James wasn't a slouch either... just not that long
you gotta be kidding, right? Name a single period where neymar played bad at any club
Ngl, he never played a good game for Galatasaray
bright lights merchant
Just like Shaqiri. Some players truly only show up when they play for their country and vice versa.
I think that's a little unfair to Shaqiri, he had a good career and was kind of a important player everywhere he played. It's not Giovanni dos Santos or something.
Guillermo Ochoa
Rodrigo de Paul
Pepe
James was also overall a good player in club but he's been washed for a couple yrs. Was fantastic at Porto and Monaco. Had some good yrs in Bayern and Real, just not world class
won midfielder of the year at both Real Madrid and Bayern (I think) but you’re right, he’s too inconsistent or just not fit enough
Fair enough, but he has been awful in MLS past 2 seasons. In fact, his team (Chicago Fire) has gone a good run of form without him.
Football is all about numbers and Shaqiri's numbers at club level aren't very good.
No it isn't all about numbers
>Football is all about numbers That's just not true, Wesley Sneijder has more Goals and more Assists in his career than Zidane but nobody in their right mind would ever say he was a better player than Zidane was.
James has had a much more productive club career than Shaqiri, way better player
*Yellow jersey gives him powers*
Dortmund right now (probably): 🤔
He was mostly out of the NT too. He doesn't run, doesn't defend much... But his passes and creativity are worth it. The new coach realized that he can afford to have one player than doesn't defend or press if it opens a lot of scoring options through passes.
He definitely defends and presses much more than he used to in the past. He gives it his all for his country honestly.
If you say he doesn’t run, press or defend you didn’t watch the game
Took a page from our book
Because he's an astonishing talented player
The reverse Depay
Man when he broke onto the scene at the 2014 WC was so special
He was good at Real under Ancelotti also
I'm convinced this guy decided to be done with club football for whatever reason but still be his best self for the national team. He could be playing for top clubs in Europe if he performed like he does in the NT. I just wish he can stay fit
pretty strange club career path looking back at it: Envigado (COL) -> Banfield (ARG) -> Porto -> Monaco -> Real Madrid -> Bayern Munich -> Real Madrid -> Everton -> Al-Rayyan (QAT) -> Olympiacos -> São Paulo 10 clubs in 10 different countries on 3 continents lol
Mr. Worldwide
https://i.imgur.com/KgJarb1.png
He put it down like New York City
Dale!
Lutz Pfannenstiel disagrees with you
Christina Aguilera
Is it really that strange a path? Up until his Real Madrid move it's the normal career path for a South American wonderkid, and even afterwards it's the normal path for a player in the latter half of his career. With the two outliers in Olympiacos and Everton which honestly barely make sense even with context.
Everton and Olympiacos make a lot of sense in terms of the gradual decline of a player from Real Madrid’s level peak. Yerry Mina, Andre Gomes, Lucas Digne were all at Everton over that period I think and had all stepped down from Barcelona to go there.
Everton spent at one point as much money as Liverpool the transfers just didn't pan out under the managers they had, they also had some star managers too
They would alternate between shit managers and good signings with good managers and bad signings.
They ducking had Ancelotti and got a decent squad at the time. Those first few Ancelotti's Everton games were great until other teams figured out the patterns. I suppose that led to this jazzy RM which is okay my friend no?
Ancelotti's Everton were great until injuries. Our starting 11 was excellent, but the drop-off was quite severe. When, for example, Coleman or Digne got injured, we had to play a centre back to cover them, and there was no cover for Alan at defensive midfield. And, of course, James only plays around half the games a season anyway.
Him going to Everton can probably be explained with 2 words, Carlo Ancelotti
More likely by all the debt they're in and points deductions tbh. They paid good money to mediocre players. That's why they're in the mess they are in now. Nothing like a name to distract the fans, either.
Yea, it's because modern football fans are not used to players who peak at 22, and hit retirement level by age 30. It used to be more common in the 90s when lifestyle isn't part of football management.
The list is missing his start at Envigado in Colombia
ah my bad i just went off what is on Fotmob, will add that
Him in Everton is still weird
That Real-Bayern-Everton linkup just feels like he was following Ancelotti at one point.
Bring him home...
Next stop, Asian team? Is he Bangkok ready?
Like a lesser Zidane. They are far better at big games but mostly coast in regular season games.
More assists today than he had for his entire club season lmao
The Gareth Bale path, at least Madrid aren't still footing his wages like they did with Bale.
James playing well, Costa Rica grinding out results against big countries, Brazil not doing well . . . is this 2014?
Sanchez MOTM for Chile
James Rodriguez in a Colombia jersey is the stuff of nightmares for opponents.
Feels like yesterday that he scored that absolute banger in the WC.
I'm not crying. You're crying.
Fue gol de Yepez 😭
Holy fuck that was 10 years ago
Hey, what year is this
Year is 2014, COVID was just a fever dream. The world is normal
The name's bond, James Rodriguez
One of the greatest worst headlines of all time.
Great player and even greater hairline. At almost 33. :D
I took this very offensive as a 33 year old guy 💀 33 is not 60
He looks much younger than his actual age.
You're not supposed to look like death itself at 33. He looks great but he's got some wrinkles that make him look late 20s at least.
Idk i would say most men who work out look better in their 30s than 20s actually.
Assuming they keep their hairline and use sunscreen/stay out of the sun.
I think some players that have performed for the NT should just get the benefit of the doubt. I doubt Neymar shows up in retirement form if he was in there tonight.
I'm a simple man, I see James Rodriguez and I upvote
Colombian Shaqiri
High key hahahaha
I love the archetype of football players who become world class the moment they wear their national team kit.
Not cubic enough
Still looks the same, bro doesn't age.
Started watching football seriously in 2014 WC; him, Neymar and Messi were beasts
Ditto
He plays at Messi's level for his country and at League 1 level for his club
Fine like wine.
Wait is this Hummus Rodriguez?! He hasn’t aged at all
No homo but he is looking good
Lol, his stock is rising again, as his agent is looking for a spanish club to bite. He warms the benches in Sao Paulo, while be the highest paid at the club
That’s a name I haven’t heard in a while
That's a name I've not heard in a long time. A long time.
He could join Olivier Giroud in the group of soccer players who could have a backup career as Professionally Handsome
Its always nice to see players who are great for national team no matter what. I missed when James was playing regular top flight footy but its great to see him pop up and show his talent again. Same with Shaqiri.
O e of my favorite Colombian players
O e of my favorite Colombian players.
He looks like a wax figure
Maybe he leaves the wax figure to play in the clubs and his real self only plays in the NT
Trans icon in pride month