2023-08-02 15:22:30
James Rodríguez is living his first hours as a footballer for São Paulo, one of the most important clubs in Brazil and South America, with three Copa Libertadores in his showcases and three Club World Cups (or Intercontinental).
Rodríguez, 32, will have his presentation press conference today and then he must begin his preparation, to be available for the Dorival Júnior coaching staff.
James Rodríguez on his arrival in Sao Paulo. | Photo: AFP
This is how James Rodríguez arrived
The coach’s working group has also referred to the arrival of the two-time World Cup player, highlighting him as one of the “great signings of Brazilian football.”
“We know the difficulties that the squad has been having and even so we are working hard to make the cast more qualified every day. (James) may be one of the great signings in Brazilian soccer, he will be welcomed with open arms because the group is fantastic. The idea is to work a lot with James”, explained Lucas Silvestre, assistant to Dorival Júnior.
James Rodríguez in the gym with Sao Paulo. | Photo: Sao Paulo
He added: “We still have no idea how James will arrive. I think he will show up in the next few days, then he will go through all the medical and physiological aspects that the data will bring and support us in thinking regarding a date for him to play. We hope it will be as soon as possible.”
James Rodríguez in medical tests with Sao Paulo. | Photo: Sao Paulo
São Paulo is eighth in Brazilian soccer, for now being left out of the next Copa Libertadores. It is two points from the quotas to the playoffs of the maximum South American tournament.
The Tricolor Paulista is also in the semifinals of the Copa Brasil, losing the first leg 2-1 once morest its archrivals, Corinthians. In addition, this Thursday they will play the first leg of the South American round of 16 once morest San Lorenzo on Argentine soil.
James Rodriguez’s 2023
So far in 2023, James Rodríguez has played 11 games, ten of them in Greece. He only played 90 minutes on one occasion and it was on January 22.
During 2023 he has scored three goals and has given three assists. He also had the opportunity to play once with the Colombian National Team, drawing 2-2 with South Korea.
James Rodríguez is a new player for Sao Paulo until mid-2025. | Photo: Twitter @SaoPauloFC
“I mightn’t stop experiencing the sensation of wearing the heaviest and most glorious jersey of this magical place, the jersey of the Brazilian club with the most international conquests,” the Colombian said regarding this experience.
And it is that one of the keys for James to have taken the option of returning to South America is that he will have the possibility of adding minutes for the 2023 World Cup Qualifiers, which begins with Colombia receiving Venezuela in Barranquilla.
The 10th was not taken into account by coach Néstor Lorenzo for the last double day of friendlies, which were sealed with victories over Iraq and Germany.
James assures that he is fine from the physical
“I’m fine physically, I feel very well. It is true that I have to start training to get into the rhythm of the game and training, I go day by day. I will do everything possible to arrive well when it is my turn to play. I’m fine physically,” James said.
Then he added: “Last year, in Greece, I played many more games and physically I was better. It is true that many games are played here, but I am ready to help, whether it is on the pitch or off. It is true that I always want to play, but for that I have to prepare very well”.
James Rodríguez, new signing of Sao Paulo | Photo: AFP
Due to his most recent records at Olympiacos and Al Rayyan, teams from which he resigned, James was asked whether he would respect his two-year relationship with the Brazilian institution.
“Soccer takes many turns,” he replied. “I will try to play well, give everything. If you think a lot regarding the future, I think it doesn’t work. I am concerned only with my present, only that, ”he insisted.
“I really like the culture here, I have many Brazilian friends. I like the music, the people, I’m happy to be here. I wanted to play here, I will try to do everything possible so that things go well, ”she declared.
James Rodríguez returns to South America following playing in Europe and Asia. | Photo: Sao Paulo
Praise from a new James partner
Alexandre Pato, striker and benchmark for São Paulo, spoke in an interview with Premiere regarding the arrival of his new teammate on the pitch.
Alexandre Pato and James Rodriguez in São Paulo. | Photo: Getty Images / @SaoPauloFC
James’ new number
The initial idea, for marketing reasons, was for James to wear the number 10 shirt that has accompanied him in the Colombian National Team and various European clubs; However, that number belongs to Luciano and the change would mean a problem in the numbering presented a few weeks ago once morest Conmebol for the round of 16 of the Copa Sudamericana.
James Rodríguez with the Sao Paulo shirt. | Photo: Twitter: @jamesrodriguez
According to Globo Esporte, James Rodríguez will wear the number 19 on his back, the same one he wore with the Porto shirt and recently when he arrived at Everton from Real Madrid.
The 19 has always been James’s second option in case he can’t use his favourite. The other option that the leadership gave him was the 50 or 23 of the mythical Raí, however, the Colombian preferred to go for the classic, at least in these six months that remain of 2023.
James Rodríguez wore number 19 at Everton. | Photo: Getty Images
James Rodríguez is officially a new player from Sao Paulo. | Photo: @SaoPauloFC
They reveal secrets of the arrival of James
Already with James installed on Brazilian soil, in the last few hours details of his arrival at one of the biggest clubs in this country have been revealed. One of his former teammates, Rafinha, told how he convinced him to sign with the tricolor this season.
“We talked a while ago. I am his friend and he asked me. I passed the best information. A guy of his level has a market everywhere. I am happy that you have chosen São Paulo. He asked me how the club was. I am happy because we played together, we won in Germany, ”said the footballer that he shared with the Colombian at Bayern Munich.
James Rodríguez arrived to play in South America. | Photo: Everton FC via Getty Images
The Brazilian assured that James “will add a lot of good things. Everyone knows the greatness of São Paulo, the fans it has. São Paulo is a great team. A player of this level has to come to São Paulo. He is a world class player. It wasn’t hard for him.”
The other star that Sao Paulo will bring
Lucas Moura following the semifinal match in the Champions League in which he came out as a hero. | Photo: UEFA via Getty Images
The experienced 30-year-old attacker ended his contract with Tottenham in England a few months ago and was waiting to define his future, which was torn between returning to his roots or accepting the opportunity to land in MLS.
“Lucas Moura and Sao Paulo reached an agreement last Tuesday for a contract valid until the end of 2023,” says Globo Esporte. The new reinforcement is expected this Wednesday at the sports headquarters to seal the agreement and be officially presented with a whole network strategy as was done in the case of James.
James Rodríguez posing with the Sao Paulo shirt. | Photo: Twitter: @jamesrodriguez
For now, the Tricolor Paulista coaching staff is waiting for all the information from the Colombian soccer player to make the best possible decision.
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