What is Rayo Vallecano playing at with James Rodriguez?

Without a doubt one of the most unexpected transfers of the summer. On August 26, Rayo Vallecano pulled off a masterstroke in the summer transfer window by making the signing of James Rodríguez official. A surprising destination for a player of his pedigree who has had many misadventures over the last decade. Brilliant with Colombia during the 2014 World Cup and voted top scorer in the competition with six goals, James Rodríguez has gradually lost the thread of his career in light of his more or less fruitful experiences at Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Everton. After failed exiles in Qatar and then at Olympiacos, the 32-year-old attacking midfielder attempted a return to South America with a view to gaining playing time. Here again, the native of Cucuta experienced great difficulty in finding his former form in the colours of São Paulo (12 matches for 1 goal and 2 assists).

Finally, it was during the Copa América 2024 that James Rodríguez regained credit. Despite his country’s defeat in the final against Argentina (0-1), the Colombian international (108 caps, 29 goals) silenced all the criticism about him. Decisive with the Sortingpraised by his opponents, like Marcelo Bielsa’s comments about him, the player who played for FC Porto and Monaco was logically crowned best player and best passer of the tournament (6 offerings, the absolute record for a single edition). Back in the foreground, James was spoiled for choice this summer. And despite the interest shown by many European clubs, the main player concerned, in search of a new bounce, tried the gamble proposed by a Rayo Vallecano team that had just painfully validated its maintenance in the first division a few months earlier.

Rayo plays the caution card with James…

Welcomed like a prince in the Spanish capital, to the point of being compared by its new president Raúl Martín Presa to the legendary Diego Maradona, James Rodríguez has not yet played a single minute with Rayo Vallecano, and this, while the Spanish championship has been back for more than a month. Worse still, he has still not been presented to the fans of the current 11th in La Liga. A situation that arouses curiosity on the other side of the Pyrenees when we know that the 32-year-old player recently participated in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers with Colombia and delivered a top-class performance against Argentina (2-1 victory for the Coffee makers), on September 11. In view of the statements made by its president on the airwaves of the Chain SerRayo seems to want to take precautions with the Colombian, subject to repeated injuries since the start of his career.

“He is available and we hope he will make his debut as soon as possible. He joined us late, he had just played in the Copa América final in July… He is returning from a long transoceanic trip, after playing two matches yesterday in very difficult conditions of heat and humidity in Barranquilla. We will take good care of him so that he can give us his best during the season“, warned the Rayo boss. If the Rayo supporters are impatient to see James wear the jersey of the Franjirrojosit won’t be for right away. Raúl Martín Presa, when asked about it again, admitted that he didn’t know when the Colombian would be presented or when he would make his debut with his new team: “I can’t tell you. We don’t know what we’re going to do, we’re going to agree with the player so that he’s comfortable.» In addition, the Madrid club will have to do without its new star against Osasuna (5th day of La Liga), this weekend…