“From what I have seen, he’s the best player in the World Cup,” declared Uruguayan coach Óscar Tabárez on Saturday, after his team lost 2-0 to Colombia’s undefeated team. Tabárez is referring, of course, to the emerging star of this year’s Cup, James Rodríguez, who’s become an overnight sensation after a dazzling run in Brazil.
With five goals to his name—one of them particularly spectacular—he’s currently the top scorer of the entire World Cup, pulling ahead of former favorites Neymar and Lionel Messi. Named after James Bond—but, in this case, pronounced HAHM-ez—Rodríguez flew into Brazil relatively under the radar. There had been no international Vogue covers or fawning Nike commercials. After his much more popular teammate Radamel Falcao suffered a knee injury that kept him from playing, Rodríguez has come through spectacularly, and the Colombian team has emerged as one of the strongest—and one of the most charismatic, we might add. Their victory salsa dancing is perhaps our favorite thing at the World Cup.
With Rihanna, LeBron James, and Shakira all taking notice of this 22-year-old talent, we have a feeling the fashion industry might follow suit. His boyish good looks make him the perfect heir to the throne left empty by the now-retired David Beckham. And like Beckham, Rodríguez has the coif and family values to match. When he’s not riling up the crowds in Brazil, the midfielder lives in Monaco with his wife and one-year-old daughter. (Lagerfeld: take note.)
On Friday, Rodríguez and his team will square off against host country Brazil for a spot in the semifinals—something Colombia has never achieved in the past. But even if Colombia loses, it’s clear Rodríguez has already won.
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