James Rodriguez has been the most searched person on the Internet to date thanks to his stellar performance in this year's World Cup. As a leading contender for the Golden Boot award for the number of goals he scored in the tournament so far, his sixth would be the most memorable not only because it was a record moment, but because of an unlikely visitor that could have ruined his goal celebration.
Buzzfeed reported that as the Colombian star celebrates his penalty goal during the second half of the match between Brazil and his home team, eagle-eye observers noted a huge green insect hitching a ride on his right arm. It appeared that Rodriguez was unaware about the insect, which looked huge as it perched on his bicep. In a GIF image picked up by Buzzfeed, Rodriguez kissed his forearm and not even noticing the insect on his bicep. The insect purportedly landed on the football player before he took the penalty.
Daily Mail noted that Rodriguez is not the only high-profile celebrity who has had an interaction with the giant green insects believed to be grasshoppers. Last May, observers noted that a few grasshoppers decided to perch on both shoulders of the legendary Paul McCartney during his concert in the country.
If the insect on Rodriguez's shoulder is indeed a grasshopper, it was a good thing that it only came by itself during the match. A research paper LL Barrientos for the Journal of Orthoptera Research considers large grasshoppers a state pest problem in Brazil for the longest time. Although little is known whether Brazil has a government program to eradicate or at least curb abnormally large grasshopper population in Brazil, it was a good thing that the insect on Rodriguez's arm did not bring his friends and disrupt the match.
On the other hand, it could have helped the Colombians to spend precious time and regroup should a swarm of similar-looking insects like the one on Rodriguez's shoulder did decide to invade the field. Colombia lost to Brazil at 2-1, ending Rodriguez and his team's chances to win the World Cup championship.
