Rayo Vallecano president Martín Presa has expressed his delight at the recent signing of Colombian football star James Rodríguez on a free transfer. The president drew parallels between this acquisition and Diego Maradona's iconic move to Napoli in 1984, emphasizing the significance of Rodríguez's arrival for the Madrid-based club.
The announcement of Rodríguez's transfer was made on Monday, with Presa revealing that fellow Colombian Radamel Falcao played a key role in facilitating the unexpected move. Presa disclosed that he personally contacted Rodríguez a month ago, leveraging their mutual connection through Falcao to explore the possibility of the transfer.
Describing Rayo Vallecano as a humble yet ambitious team, Presa likened the signing of Rodríguez to Napoli's historic acquisition of Maradona, highlighting the rarity and magnitude of such a move for the club.
Despite Rodríguez's impressive track record, Presa emphasized the importance of managing the player's return to action cautiously. Having last played in the Copa América final on July 14, Rodríguez has been on a break, and Presa stressed the need to prioritize his long-term fitness and performance over immediate game time.
Presa noted that Rodríguez's reintroduction to the team would be gradual, acknowledging the need to handle the player with care to ensure his sustained contribution throughout the season. Drawing an analogy, Presa likened Rodríguez to a Formula 1 driver, emphasizing the importance of endurance and strategic planning in managing his playing time.
Rayo Vallecano is set to face Barcelona on Tuesday, with the Catalan club likely to feature their new signing Dani Olmo following an injury to Andreas Christensen that enabled his registration. The match promises to be an exciting encounter, with both teams showcasing their strengthened squads for the upcoming season.
