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LONDON (AP) — James Rodriguez entered this week's Associated Press Global Football 10 at the top of the player rankings after scoring twice — including a spectacular overhead kick — and propelling Real Madrid to a 5-0 victory over Real Betis.
Rodriguez was only a substitute in Madrid's first game of the season — a 0-0 draw at newly promoted Sporting Gijon — but manager Rafael Benitez returned him to the starting lineup to great effect at the Santiago Bernabeu against Betis.
"It was the great figure of Rodriguez scoring two jewels this weekend," Tito Puccetti of ESPN in Argentina said. "In 48 games with Real Madrid he has scored 19 goals and provided 19 assists."
Thomas Mueller is second for getting a double in his 200th Bundesliga appearance for Bayern Munich, leading Pep Guardiola's side to a 3-0 win at home to Bayer Leverkusen.
Gareth Bale was third in the poll, after he also notched two goals alongside Madrid teammate Rodriguez.
Edinson Cavani took fourth after spearheading Paris Saint-Germain's attack with two goals in its impressive 3-0 win away to Monaco.
He edged Nabil Fekir of Lyon, who led his side to a 4-0 rout of Caen by scoring hat trick in Ligue 1.
"The France international showed why Arsenal wanted him by almost single-handedly inspiring Lyon to a crushing 4-0 win," Marco Monteverde of News Corp. Australia said.
Andrew Ayew, Bakary Sako, Wayne Rooney, Miralem Pjanic and Fernandinho complete the top 10 players of the week.
Roma was voted team of the week for beating Serie A champion Juventus 2-1, handing its rival a second straight loss to start the season.
"Great 2-1 victory recorded by Roma over last year's champion in Italy," Manos Staramopoulos of Demokratia in Greece said. "Rudi Garcia's team gives us a greater interest in the league, with (the) old lady (Juventus) the favorite to win the title."
Bayern is runner-up, while PSG takes third for its win over Monaco on Sunday.
"PSG are sitting pretty atop Ligue 1 after four wins from as many games," Jonathan Johnson of beIN Sports USA said. "The French champions are yet to concede a goal and their comprehensive 3-0 win over Monaco last Sunday has dealt a potential title rival a harsh early blow."
Madrid is fourth after recording its first league win of the season against Betis while Manchester City is fifth for maintaining its perfect start to the Premier league with a 2-0 win against Watford.
Crystal Palace, Borussia Dortmund, West Ham, Swansea and Atletico Madrid round out the top 10.
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AP Global Football 10
Players:
1. James Rodriguez, 85 points.
2. Thomas Mueller, 65.
3. Gareth Bale, 56.
4. Edinson Cavani, 48.
5. Nabil Fekir, 46.
6. Andre Ayew, 41.
7. Bakary Sako, 31.
8. Wayne Rooney, 30.
9. Miralem Pjanic, 29.
10. Fernandinho, 25.
Teams:
1. Roma, 91.
2. Bayern Munich, 69.
3. Paris Saint-Germain, 67.
4. Real Madrid, 66.
5. Manchester City, 60.
6. Crystal Palace, 55.
7. Borussia Dortmund, 52.
8. West Ham, 50.
9. Swansea, 49.
10. Atletico Madrid, 41.
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