It was a celebration we'd seen often, James Rodriguez jogging toward the corner flag, elbow tucked in, finger formed like pistol pointing at the crowd. On previous occasions we'd seen the celebration performed with verve, but this time it was somewhat muted, coming in the middle of Real Madrid's mauling of Getafe in a game of little-to-no consequence on the season's final day.
Yet, in that exhibition-like 90 minutes, the act preceding Rodriguez's celebration had stood out, leaving behind it a vivid image that felt like a forerunner for a future Real Madrid will soon face.