6/29/2014

World Cup 2014: Coaches praise Colombia's James Rodriguez


Colombia forward James Rodriguez is in the class of Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, according to Uruguay boss Oscar Tabarez.

Rodriguez, 22, opened the scoring with a brilliant volley before adding a second to beat Uruguay and set up a quarter-final with hosts Brazil.


James Rodríguez scores an absolutely wonderful goal for Colom... on Twitpic(GIF via @FlyByKnite)
GIF: James Rodriguez puts Colombia up 1-0 in the 28th minute  on Twitpic(GIF via @myregularface)


Colombia coach Jose Pekerman added: "I never had any doubts that this was going to be his World Cup - James Rodriguez's World Cup.

"I greatly praise what he is doing."

Rodriguez, who moved to French club Monaco from Portuguese side Porto for £38.5m last year, has become one of the tournament's stars in the absence of Colombia's injured striker Radamel Falcao.

With five goals, Rodriguez is the leading scorer, one ahead of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Thomas Muller, and has now scored in each of his country's four games in the tournament.

He opened the scoring with a wonderful volley from 20 yards before completing a fine flowing move to send Colombia into the last eight for the first time in their history.

Tabarez placed Rodriguez among the greats of the game following his match-winning performance.

"For me, talents are those who do things that have nothing to do with their life experience," Tabarez said.

"Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and James Rodriguez - they do things because they have a certain gift which makes them special.

"It is not up to me but I believe from what I have seen that he is the best player in the World Cup."

- BBC.com

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