James became well known in Europe during his time at Porto, winning several trophies and individual awards during his three years at the club. In 2014, James moved from AS Monaco to Real Madrid for a transfer fee of £63 million, which beat the one set by Radamel Falcao and made him the most expensive Colombian football player and one of the most expensive players in football.[6] He started his international career with the Colombia under-20 team, with which he won the 2011 Toulon Tournament. He then captained the U-20 team during the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup. Due to his performance in the tournament, he was regularly called into the senior squad by the age of 20. He played in the 2014 FIFA World Cup where he won the Golden Boot as the top goalscorer and was part of the Cup's All Star Team.[7][8] He also represented his nation at the 2015 Copa América and the Copa América Centenario in 2016, winning a third-place medal in the latter tournament.
Born in Cúcuta, Norte de Santander, James spent his childhood in the city of Ibagué, Tolima. He was born to Wilson James Rodríguez Bedoya and Maria Del Pilar Rubio. James started his professional football career in 2006 with the Colombian second division club Envigado, with which he reached the Colombian first division through the 2007 promotion.[9] James is the second youngest Colombian player to start a professional match, playing his first match in 21 May 2006 at the age of 14.[10]
Banfield
2008
In 2008, he was signed by Argentine team Banfield. He made his first team debut on 7 February 2009[9] and scored his first goal for the club on 27 February with a long range strike in a 3–1 victory over Rosario Central.
2009
In 2009, he became a regular first team player featuring in every game of the Apertura 2009. At just 17, he became the youngest foreigner to score a goal in Argentina.[11] His second goal for Banfield came on 26 September when he scored with a strike into the top corner from outside of the area in an important 2–1 win against Newell's Old Boys, a victory that helped Banfield win the Argentine championship for the first time in the club history.[12]
In December 2009, Italian club Udinese planned to make a bid for James for a reported €5 million after the 2010 Copa Libertadores. However, Banfield rejected the bid, labelling it as "insufficient".[13]
For the Clausura 2010, on 13 February 2010, James scored a golazo in the match against archrivals Lanús with a left-footed lob to make the game 2–0 in the final minutes. After the game, daily sports website Diario Olé compared his playing and personal style to Cristiano Ronaldo and nicknamed him the "James Bond of Banfield".[14]
2010
On 10 February 2010, James scored his first Copa Libertadores goal in a 2–1 home victory over Mexican club Monarcas Morelia.[15] James added to his glowing reputation a week later with a goal in a daunting victory over Copa Libertadores group rivals Deportivo Cuenca away from home, scoring the fourth goal of the game with a nice finish in the area on his left foot. Banfield thrashed the home team 4–1. His wonderful scoring season continued with a brace in the Copa Libertadores group game on 10 March 2010. In an away match against Uruguayan club Nacional, James scored first with a diving header and then from the penalty spot on his right foot. The game ended with a 2–2 draw.[16] The 18-year-old netted another goal against Brazilian club Internacional on 29 April 2010 in the first leg match of Copa Libertadores 2010 Round 16 which Banfield won 3–1.[17] This goal brought his tally to five goals in seven games. However, James' international season ended in defeat as his team went down on away goals with a 0–2 defeat in Porto Alegre in the second leg, in which James was red carded for two fouls.[18]
Porto
2010–11 season
On 6 July 2010, James was signed by Porto for €5.1 million, with 30% economic rights retained by other parties. He signed a four-year contract with a €30 million release clause.[19] Porto later re-sold 10% economic rights to third parties.[20] On 18 July, he played his first game and scored his first goal in a friendly against Ajax.[21] In November, Porto sold 35% economic rights (half of 70%) to Gol Football Luxembourg, S.A.R.L. for €2.5 million.[22]
On 15 December 2010, James scored his first competition goal in Europe in a 3–1 home victory against Bulgarian club CSKA Sofia.[23] James scored a hat-trick and assisted once against Vitória de Guimarães in the 2011 Taça de Portugal Final, which Porto won 6–2. On 17 May, Porto bought the remaining 30% economic rights from Convergence Capital Partners B.V. for €2.25 million and once again hold more than half of the economic rights with 55%.[24] On 13 June, James signed a new five-year contract in which the release clause increased to €45 million.[25] In no more than 24 appearances did he score six goals, provide eight assists and play a part in the Europa League victory.[26]
2011–12 season
In the 2011–12 season, James scored 14 goals for Porto and delivered 11 assists. In 2011, James won the LPFP Award for Breakthrough Player of 2011–12 Primeira Liga season at age 20, becoming the first Colombian player to do so. He is a two-time winner of the SJPF Player of the Month. James won the Portuguese Golden Ball award in 2012, becoming the second Colombian to win the award after Radamel Falcao as well as the youngest player ever to hold the honour.[27][28][29] On 20 September 2011 in a league match against Feirense, he punched Rabiola and was subsequently dismissed, missing the match against Benfica.[30]
2012–13 season
In the 2012–13 season, James was given the number 10 shirt and became a regular starter. Since fellow Colombians Radamel Falcao, Fredy Guarín and Brazilian Hulk left the club during the last two seasons, James was able to start more regularly than before. In a match against Olhanense, James chipped a goal outside the box at a tight angle. In the same game, he assisted compatriot Jackson Martínez with a through ball for an eventual 3–2 win. James scored the team's third goal against Beira-Mar soon after assisting the first two goals in a 4–0 victory. A week later, James assisted a goal with a free kick rebound in an away game against Rio Ave that eventually ended at 2–2.[31]
In the 2012–13 UEFA Champions League group stage, he scored against French club Paris Saint-Germain in a 1–0 victory allowing Porto to top their current group.[32] A few days later, James scored a penalty against rivals Sporting Clube de Portugal. In no more than one month since the start of the 2012–13 season did James won the SJPF Player of the Month award.[33][34][35] In the third round of the Champions League group stage, he assisted a goal to an eventual 3–2 victory. James registered an assist in a 2–1 victory against Estoril.
In a 5–0 win over Marítimo, James scored twice. James was once again on the score sheet nine days later in a match against Académica de Coimbra. In the 90th minute against Braga, James scored a game-winning goal that ended 2–0. Against Moreirense, he assisted a goal from the corner to fellow countryman Jackson Martínez.
Prior to the second half of the season, James suffered a hamstring injury causing him to struggle to maintain fitness. In a match against Nacional, he injured his hamstring once more and was subsequently substituted after the first half. The injury sidelined him for a month.[36][37] On 1 February 2013, Porto bought back 30% economic rights of James from Gol Football Luxembourg for €8.57 million[38] (by selling 47.5% economic rights of Diego Reyes for €3.5 million[39]), which Porto sold in November 2010 for €2.5 million.
James made his return at the 70th minute in the 2–0 victory over Beira-Mar, his first match since being injured for more than a month. In the first leg of the Champions League round of 32 against Málaga, James was called onto the pitch at the 60th minute. Although he failed to change the 1–0 victory score, James became a big game changer in Porto's attack despite his current fitness.[40] In his second league match since his return, James assisted a goal against Rio Ave with a wonderful cross. Soon afterwards in his next league match, he assisted a goal against Estoril from a corner in a 2–0 victory.[41] It was James' first start in two months.[42] James did not start in the second leg of the Champions League match against Málaga until the second half when Porto was down to ten men after the dismiss of a defender. Porto lost the match and coach Vítor Pereira was greatly criticized and questioned why James did not start sooner considering that the player was a key member and Porto could have had a more solid team. James expressed his disappointment, claiming to be "100%" in good health (as well as giving a performance with no struggles shown). However, he also expressed his respect and understanding to the coach's concern.[43][44][45] Despite an exit from the Champions League, James went on to become the second-most fouled player in the tournament that year.[46]
James scored a goal in a 1–1 tie against Marítimo. Manchester United reportedly made a bid for €30 million to purchase James, though Porto rejected the offer as being too low.[47][48][49] James made his debut in the 2012–13 Taça da Liga semi-final where he scored a penalty. Porto won the match 4–0 and advanced to the final. James gave a man of the match performance against Braga, scoring the first goal and assisting two, one from the field and the other from the corner, in a 3–1 victory.[50] James assisted one of the goals in a 2–0 victory over Vitória de Setúbal. He also scored the opening goal in a 3–1 victory over Nacional.
In the final match of the season against Paços de Ferreira, James was tripped inside the box and secured a penalty that was later scored and that led to Porto's third consecutive league title.[51][52] He finished the season with ten goals and 13 assists in 24 league appearances. In all competitions that season, he scored 13 goals and provided 15 assists in 32 appearances. Winning the league title meant that James, at 21, won his eighth trophy since joining the club three years ago.
Monaco
On 25 May 2013, it was announced that James had joined French side AS Monaco for a transfer fee of €45 million, the second most expensive transfer in Portuguese football behind former teammate Hulk. James subsequently signed a five-year contract that was set to keep him at the club until 2018.[53] This transfer made him not only one of the most expensive transfers in the club's history, but in Ligue 1 history as well, along as the one of the highest in world football.[54]
James made his Monaco debut against Bordeaux, a game Monaco went on to win 2–0. He then missed Monaco's second league match to avoid a possible injury.[55] James made his first direct offensive contribution for Monaco by assisting the first goal in a 3–0 victory against Bastia before setting up plays for his team's other two goals.[56] Against Saint-Étienne in the following week, James gave a man of the match performance by assisting on both goals in a 2–1 victory.[57][58] Following the international break, James assisted the first goal in a 2–2 draw against Sochaux.[59]
James assisted the only goal for Monaco in a 1–1 draw against Évian.[60] He finally scored his first goal for the club with a free-kick in a 2–0 win over Rennes.[61] James scored another goal in the next match in the fourth minute against Nice, a game Monaco prevailed in 3–0.[62] Away against Guingamp, James assisted both goals in a 2–0 victory.[63] He then scored a goal against Valenciennes to put Monaco on the score sheet, though Monaco ultimately lost 1–2.[64]
James began the 2014 calendar year by making his Coupe de France debut in a match against Vannes, where he both assisted and scored a goal in a 3–2 victory.[65] In his first league match of 2014, James assisted a goal against Montpellier.[66] Against Toulouse, James provided an assist to the second goal in a 2–0 away victory with a cross.[67] James' first double at Monaco came in the match against Bastia, a 2–0 Monaco victory.[68] Within the final seconds against Reims, James hit a shot that hit the post and allowed teammate Layvin Kurzawa to score the rebound allowing Monaco to win the game 3–2.[69]
In the French media, James was referred to as "perhaps" the best footballer in Ligue 1 due to his impressive debut season with Monaco,[70] although he stated that he still required more time in the league to fully adapt.[71] Following the international break, James scored his first penalty for Monaco against Sochaux in a 2–1 win.[72]
James ended his debut season without a trophy, though nonetheless helped Monaco secure a spot in the following season's UEFA Champions League. On an individual level, he earned a spot in the star Ligue 1 XI,[73] and led Ligue 1 in assists on the season.[74]
In a post-match interview during the 2014 FIFA World Cup, James stated his "love", "admiration" and "passion" for Real Madrid, saying that it would be a "life's dream" to play for them after his performances aroused rumors linking him to the Spanish club.[76]
On 22 July 2014, James confirmed the rumours by signing a six-year contract with the Spanish club for an undisclosed fee, which was reported to be approximately £63 million.[77][78][79][80] This move would make him the fourth-most expensive player in history, the third-most expensive in Real Madrid's history and the most expensive Colombian to date after surpassing Radamel Falcao's €60 million transfer in 2013.[81] The amount spent on his transfer fee led many to referring James as a Galáctico credited by the fact that he was given the number 10 shirt carrying the legacy of Real Madrid legends such as Luís Figo, Ferenc Puskás and the player he admired the most while growing up and supporting the club, Zinedine Zidane.[82][83][84]
James was greeted by a 45,000 attendance during his presentation. The Colombian ambassador in Madrid made a speech at the event and carried a message from Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos that James was changing the history of Colombian football and that the entire nation is behind him.[85] Real Madrid President Florentino Pérez would follow with a speech of his own, stating that he welcomed James, a "lover" and "long supporter" of the club who will never forget the day he made his dream a reality.[86]
