The pinnacle of a temperamental career - James Rodríguez & the 2014 WC
Through the advent of the internet, the World Cup is no longer a unique opportunity to discover a hidden talent, however, the joyous energy and emotion the competition evokes still have the ability to set the tournament apart and reset our minds as football fans.
The angst and expectation that builds game by game during a domestic season are erased, overwhelmed by a succinct reminder of why we enjoy football.
The viewing pleasure is magnified by a renewed sense of vibrancy from the stands, and the kits and celebratory smiles provide a platform for magic to materialize.
No single player in recent memory encapsulates this phenomenon quite like James Rodríguez at the 2014 World Cup.
A 22-year-old who painted his portrait into the history books with his artistry on the pitch, all for a nation that stole the show in Brazil with their playmaker front and center.
In many ways, the Colombian's career from that sensational summer onwards is symbolic of the tournament as a whole. A competition that, when approached with the right mindset, is a completely freeing experience. It’s an escape from the prolonged pressures of a long season and a chance to become a hero in the blink of an eye.
Throughout the 2014 World Cup, James played as if he already knew his name would forever be remembered, but it was down to him to make the justification as spectacular as possible.
Rather than letting any expectation weigh heavy on his shoulders, he hovered through matches on a cloud created by the belief instilled within him by fans and teammates alike.
Whether it was a well-timed run into the box to dispatch a striker's finish, or a dazzling run to create similar opportunities for his teammates, Rodríguez had such a strong magnetism to the ball that it seemed like every key moment in the Colombian campaign featured the young forward front and center.
The fact that James never quite hit the heights many expected of him following the World Cup makes that summer of 2014 all the more remarkable.