What would top soccer players be worth in Adam Smith’s barter economy?

James Rodriguez: A finely tailored suit

The name’s Bond, James Rodriguez.

So went the absolute worst headline in the history of soccer. It makes no sense. It was so bad Bayern Munich made fun of it three years later after signing James from Real Madrid. 

Other than that, everybody won. Bayern got a really good winger. Rodriguez managed to go to a club that might actually let him play. Real Madrid only lost a substitute.

But if Bayern Munich had to do it over again, under the barter system, they could have just given each member of Real a well tailored suit. Any gentleman knows that a well tailored suit is worth more than the fabric it’s made out of. The tailor can help you convey your unique personality to the world simply by the color, design, and cut of the garment.

If you want to look conservative and dignified, a a pinstripe, navy blue classic fit is the way to go. If you’re looking for a more modern style, a tighter fit and more unconventional patterns can separate you from the crowd. A burst of color is added with a well-chosen tie and non-matching pocket square.

There’s a bit of debate in the suit world as regards where the best tailors are. Conventional wisdom leads one to say that Savile Row in London is home to the best. But Hong Kong and New York City are perennial threats to English dominance in the field. Not to mention the fashion forward look always present in Milan.

No matter the suits are tailored, as long as they are bespoke and made from fine materials, they’re worth signing James Rodriguez.