Geneva, Jan 13 (IANS): Real Madrid and Colombia star James Rodriguez was thrilled after scooping the best goal award of 2014 but said that it would be difficult to match his strike against Uruguay at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

The award, which was voted for by members of the public via FIFA.com and francefootball.fr, caps what has quite possibly been the most sensational 12 months of his career to date - one of the highlights of which was undoubtedly the stunning strike in the round of 16 win over Uruguay at the World Cup, reports Xinhua.

"I'm extremely happy to win this award, which is really a very special honour. All the more so because it was voted for by the public. I'm very grateful," the Real Madrid man said after beating off competition from Stephanie Roche and Robin van Persie to claim the crown lifted by Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic last year.

"I knew that very day that my goal had the potential to make history," added Rodriguez.

"It will be difficult to match that goal, but I'm going to keep trying to score more like it in the future."