---
title: "Virals: James Rodriguez Stops for Snap with Young Everton Fan"
canonical: "https://readeverton.com/virals-james-rodriguez-stops-for-snap-with-young-everton-fan/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Alex Jones"
section: "Everton News"
published: "2021-07-05T16:00:00Z"
modified: "2021-07-05T16:00:00Z"
---

# Virals: James Rodriguez Stops for Snap with Young Everton Fan

As [Everton](https://readeverton.com/2021/07/03/yannick-bolasie-filmed-training-with-everton-ace-ben-godfrey/) returned to training for the first time under new boss Rafa Benitez, James Rodriguez caught attention for a classy gesture to one lucky fan.

Rodriguez, who was omitted from Colombia’s Copa America squad, joined a host of familiar faces in returning to Finch Farm on Monday morning for pre-season training.

Approaching the facility in his car, one young Evertonian[got the chance](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/everton-james-rodriguez-training-gesture-20970992) to take a selfie with Rodriguez as he entered.

There were smiles all round from Rodriguez and the young fan, who sported a Tom Davies phone case.

The training day will be the squad’s first chance to meet newly appointed manager Rafa Benitez as a unit, with the Spaniard sure to get preparations underway as soon as possible.

However, Benitez has reportedly already held phone calls with a number of key personnel as he seeks to mould a new-look Everton in his image.

Rodriguez faces an uncertain future at Everton, given [reports](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/rafa-benitez-james-rodriguez-everton-24444891) that claim that a long-running feud with Rafa Benitez going back to both men’s spells at Real Madrid threaten to dampen the playmaker’s desire to remain at the club.

[AC Milan have been linked](https://twitter.com/EvertonNewsFeed/status/1409533339527155716) with a move for the 29-year-old as a replacement for Turkey international Hakan Calhanoglu.

His compatriot and teammate Yerry Mina was absent as one of a small cohort of Everton players away on international duty.

### Read Everton Verdict

With plenty of uncertainty surrounding his future and a busy day of introductory pre-season training, Rodriguez finding the time to make one lucky Blue’s day is a wonderful gesture.

Whether the outcome of Rodriguez’ reported unhappiness at Everton is equally as endearing, however, is a separate matter.