Colombia striker Jackson Martinez has hailed the contribution of emerging World Cup sensation James Rodriguez following their country's fantastic start to the tournament.
The Monaco playmaker scored one and made two goals in Los Cafeteros' 4-1 win over Japan on Wednesday -- a third successive victory for the nation, which served to enhance their status as contenders for the tournament.
Martinez, Rodriguez's former Porto clubmate, told El Tiempo from Cuiaba's Arena Pantanal that the 22-year-old -- who has scored in each of the three games so far -- had matured in Ligue 1 and was now showing the world the talent that he has.
"It is impressive how James keeps getting better and better," Martinez said. "I knew him at Porto, and I see that now in France he has matured a lot. You cannot argue about the talent he has. He is having a great World Cup."
Martinez also had a great game against Japan, scoring two well-taken left-footed goals on his first start in the competition, and suggesting he could replace previous starter Teofilo Gutierrez for Saturday's round of 16 clash with Uruguay in Rio de Janeiro.
"I kept working thinking about this moment," the 27-year-old, who has been linked with Atletico Madrid, said. "I was patient, I knew that God had a moment for me, and it has happened now, at a World Cup. I knew that I could score at any time, and not to get down over the chance I missed in the first half."