Carlos Valderrama spent 22 years playing football
Carlos Valderrama spent 22 years playing football with a number of different clubs around the world including: Deportivo Cali, Montpellier, Tampa Bay Mutiny and Colorado Rapids just to name a few of them. However, he was especially recognized and famous for all of the contributions he made for Colombia as he wore his country’s jersey in over 100 occasions.
It’s been over 10 years since the Valderrama announced his retirement but he still remains being an important figure in the world of football as the former player has now turned into a coach which is a trend that has been growing recently as more players decide to turn into managers after hanging up their boots.
Valderrama has praised Real Madrid’s James Rodriguez who is currently recovering from an injury he sustained earlier in February.
James Rodriguez was signed by Real Madrid after the Colombian player made a huge impact in the 2014 World Cup as he finished as the top goal-scorer after scoring 5 goals. For a transfer fee of €80 million, Real Madrid snatched him up but the young attacker has received criticism as he has not truly managed to live up to his astronomically high price tag however, Valderrama has been surprised by what the young player has accomplished since arriving to the Santiago Bernabeu.
“He adapted very quickly to the group and has done very well. That makes him relaxed enough to show his quality. He’s young, he’s learning and he’s come to a team where he will learn a lot more, in a great team at a great club.He’s shown his quality. We are from different eras. In mine, he was a child, and now he is our star and will continue to be so.” Carlos Valderrama told reporters as he voiced his support towards James Rodriguez.
In 20 appearances for Real Madrid, James Rodriguez has scored 8 goals.
