Intro:

Adidas' head of scouting Claus Peter Meyer believes Colombian playmaker James Rodriguez can become one of the world's greatest players.

Script:

SOUNDBITE (English) Claus Peter Meyer, Adidas' head of scouting:

"In his case it clearly was performance. At young ages he was very, very good and you could tell he had a vision for the game, he had composure, he knows how to the read the game. He's eager but still to a degree relaxed if you want. So he pretty much has the right package to really perform under very tough conditions and that's what he was able to show."

SOUNDBITE (English) Claus Peter Meyer, Adidas' head of scouting:

"Did we expect it? Maybe not on that level. Are we surprised? No because we clearly saw how he performed in Portugal and in the French league. Especially in the French league in the first year, the year got more competitive in France through all the investments - he did very well. And he was not showing very strong performances in individual games but he showed consistently very strong performances. Combined with the Colombian team and the good atmosphere they have in the team, and the fact he had to take a bit of a leadership role after Falcao dropped out, we were not surprised to see him shine on that level. The fact that he scores not only many but wonderful goals is not to be expected but we're very excited about it. No doubt."

SOUNDBITE (English) Claus Peter Meyer, Adidas' head of scouting:

"It's not only the goals. I'm not one to favour only the ones who score the goals. He's more of an assist deliverer than a goalscorer. It's really for him to be able to play the playmaker role or play on the wing or go into the centre and score goals is what makes him very special. He has this ability to do many things on a very high level."

SOUNDBITE (English) Claus Peter Meyer, Adidas' head of scouting:

"I think he can go very far. I believe he's now 22 and he has a great moment in time here. We will see how his career develops. He has to make decisions most likely about where he wants to play. Obviously we would like to see him at one of the biggest clubs at one point, that would be our wish. We are very convinced he can play a key role in the biggest clubs. If all that comes together and he stays healthy we don't believe there's a ceiling for what he can achieve."