Real Madrid are used to their former stars joining other clubs, either because they want a new challenge or simply because they realized they were no longer capable of starting at the most pressurized and successful club in world football.
Usually, Real Madrid fans don’t get upset when a player leaves. Either they are bidding farewell to someone like Marcelo or Gareth Bale who is moving on to a league outside of European football to end their career, or they are watching a club icon like Casemiro or Raphael Varane leave at the right time.
In the case of James Rodriguez, Real Madrid watched a once-great player who had faded from relevance in the modern game leave for Everton for one last try at a return to stardom under another beloved Merengue figure, Carlo Ancelotti.
Since that brief spell at Everton, James has floundered outside of Europe, but he experienced a revival this summer at Copa America, shining as the best player of the tournament for finalists Colombia.
James seems to bring his sterling best as a difference-maker for his country, whether it was at the 2014 World Cup when he first convinced Real Madrid to splash the cash on him – or now in 2024 when he is convincing a different LaLiga side to take one last roll of the dice on him.
According to a report from MARCA’s Diego Pico, James Rodriguez is back in the city of Madrid, except, this time, he is closing in on a deal to join local rivals Rayo Vallecano.
Under Andoni Iraola, Rayo played exciting football a couple of seasons ago and flirted with European football. Whether it is Radamel Falcao or now James Rodriguez (teammates for both Colombia and Monaco in the past), Rayo have shown a willingness to sign former global stars to go with their collection of underrated veterans.
Real Madrid fans won’t be mad at James joining a rival this time around, even as they were annoyed when he flirted with the idea of joining crosstown rivals Atletico Madrid back in 2020 before he moved to Everton.
In fact, Madridistas will probably be happy to see the once world-class playmaker try to prove that, at 33, his Copa America this summer was no fluke. If he can bounce back at any club, then Rayo Vallecano is not a bad choice at all. Let’s see if this deal gets done.