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Why not? A day after joining the club on a two-year loan with an option to buy, James Rodríguez has turned 26. In terms of age, James falls squarely in the middle of the squad, a year older than David Alaba and three months younger than Thiago Alcantara.
James will get to celebrate the day with his once and future coach, Carlo Ancelotti. The two have a lot of history together. Here they are when Carlo chaperoned James’s junior prom:
Wieder vereint! @MrAncelotti & @jamesdrodriguez! ☺#ServusJames #MiaSanMia pic.twitter.com/YGTNTupTD5
— FC Bayern München (@FCBayern) July 11, 2017
It looks to be a promising reunion. James enjoyed the most successful season of his career under Carlo Ancelotti, when Real Madrid signed the young star from AS Monaco after a breakout performance at the 2014 World Cup. James won the Golden Boot at the 2014 World Cup, edging out the previous winner, our very own Thomas Müller (5).
James is even beloved by animals:
James Rodriguez celebrating that a grasshopper chose him over Neymar pic.twitter.com/9v2UwzhiW2
— Ftbllrs with Animals (@ftbllrswanimals) September 3, 2015
Happy Birthday, James! Welcome to the club! And Happy Birthday to your grasshopper, who recently turned 3.
UPDATE: Naturally, James’s new club sent birthday greetings, as well:
Alles Gute zum 26. Geburtstag, @jamesdrodriguez! #MiaSanMia #FCBayern #ServusJames pic.twitter.com/NpcgwwA88c
— FC Bayern München (@FCBayern) July 12, 2017