WATCH: Huge reception for James Rodriguez on his return to La liga

James Rodriguez, the captain of Colombia, signed a free transfer with Rayo Vallecano and is back in La Liga for a second term. The 33-year-old, who left Brazilian team Sao Paulo to join Vallecano, made 125 appearances for La Liga powerhouse Real Madrid between 2014 and 2020. 

Rodriguez, who has received 106 caps for his nation, had a fantastic Copa America season. He helped Colombia advance to the championship game with six assists and one goal, and he was awarded the competition's Best Player. In the final, Colombia was defeated 1-0 by Argentina.

James Rodriguez who signed with Rayo on August 26, is going to play for the Madrid-based squad for the first time on Monday. He hasn't played since the Copa America, thus his lack of action throughout the summer was a factor in his exclusion from the squad two weeks ago against Espanyol. 

With just four points as of the start of Matchweek 5, Rayo Vallecano was in 15th position versus Osasuna. After a goal by Raul Garcia in the 27th minute, Inigo Pérez's team was behind 1-0 at the break. In an attempt to get an equalizer early in the second half, Mumin, a center defender, found space on the left side.  With just 5 minutes left in the game, Rayo Vallecano led the game by 2-1 the much-awaited thing happened as James Rodriguez made his debut for the club and fans present in the stadium went wild by seeing the star making his debut for Rayo Vallecano.

Watch the video here:

❤️🇨🇴⚡️ ¡Vallecas ENLOQUECE con el debut de @jamesdrodriguez con el @RayoVallecano!#RayoOsasuna | #insideLALIGA pic.twitter.com/jJUUf58HO3

— LALIGA (@LaLiga) September 16, 2024

James Rodriguez changed many clubs after 2014 

After winning the World Cup in 2014, Rodriguez signed a contract with Real Madrid later that summer. He made 125 appearances for the Spanish champions before joining Bayern Munich on loan for a two-year stint. In 2020, he then signed with Everton. He made 26 appearances for the Toffees before leaving the team 12 months into a two-year contract to join Al Rayyan, a club in Qatar. A year later, he joined Olympiakos, and then in 2023, he moved to Sao Paulo.