Madrid, Dec 27 (IANS): Colombian footballer James Rodriguez was voted the best athlete in the Americas by the International Association of Sports Reporters in the Americas (AIPS).

Rodriguez, a mid-fielder for Spanish club Real Madrid, was a key player in the Colombian national team during the 2014 FIFA Brazil World Cup, winning the Golden Boot for his six goals, including the best goal of the championship in a match against Uruguay, reports Xinhua.

Rodriguez, 23, joined Real Madrid after the World Cup, and quickly became one of coach Carlo Ancelotti's top players, helping the squad win this year's UEFA Super Cup and the Club World Cup, held earlier this month in Morocco.

Rodriguez will receive the award in March, during the AIPS Games, to be held in Manaos, Brazil.

The award for the continent's best female athlete of the year also went to a Colombian, track and field star Caterine Ibarguen - gold medal winner at the Central American and Caribbean Games, held in Veracruz, Mexico.

Argentina's national football team, which finished second at the World Cup, was voted best team in the Americas.