The first game of 2017 for Real Madrid didn't bring changes to their usual result under Zinedine Zidane, but it brought a breathe of fresh air with James Rodriguez's performance.
The Colombian ace, who has been deemed to be leaving the club by the end of the season, stepped up and delivered a massive performance for Los Blancos, scoring a brace and keeping the team's unbeaten run under "Zizou".
James hadn't scored a brace since August 29, 2015, when Real Madrid was coached by Rafa Benitez. Today's brace was just his fourth since he joined Real Madrid, and he even had the chance to score his first PK with the Spanish giants.
The crowd at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium send him off with a standing ovation, as Zidane decided to take him off the pitch.
La ovación del Bernabéu para James Rodríguez. pic.twitter.com/U1zZZ22ivt
— Real Madrid Colombia (@RealMadridCoI) January 4, 2017
In what is clearly a sign of better days to come, he even shared an embrace with his coach as he left the pitch. Zidane and Rodriguez were rumored to be having some problems, which led to the Colombian's low numbers when it comes to playing time.
Have a look at what the team's supporters had to say about his performance.
James Rodriguez has now been directly involved in 62 goals in 95 games across all competitions for Real Madrid.
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) January 4, 2017
34 assists
28 goals pic.twitter.com/fTwSdsyMkW
Man of the match tonight.@jamesdrodriguez @realmadrid @ConCR7Siempre pic.twitter.com/ZsNwbdzBMs
— ch hasnain javed (@hasnainrocks19) January 4, 2017
"Mr. James Rodriguez!"
DON JAMES RODRIGUEZ
— DjMaRiiO (@DjMaRiiO_90) January 4, 2017
Watching James Rodriguez play today was amazing
— Jaime (@jaimegtzh) January 4, 2017
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