Colombian soccer star James Rodríguez has come under fire because of a YouTube video that shows him almost running over fans asking him for selfies and autographs.

The Real Madrid player was leaving a training session at the Spanish club's facilities when the fans approached the vehicle he was driving, TV Notas reported. Although the clip shows him signing a booklet handed to him by one of the aficionados, Rodríguez appears to quickly tire of the attention and speeds away, almost hitting one of the youngsters.

"James, please, I beg you," one of the fans is heard shouting in the video as the midfielder hits the accelerator. The scene received global media attention before it was uploaded to YouTube, where it has been seen by thousands, Peru's La República detailed.

Spanish media outlets harshly criticized the player, who is normally known for his friendly relationship with fans, La Vanguardia noted. In June, he warmly embraced a 7-year-old admirer who had waited for the soccer star outside a hotel in Chile, where the Colombian squad was participating in this year's Copa América, according to the Daily Mail.

Back then, Rodríguez' attitude cemented his "burgeoning relationship with (his) adoring fans," the Daily Mail commented. But on social networks, soccer fanatics now voiced loud disapproval of this week's incident and pointed out that his dangerous driving maneuver could have even ended tragically.

"It was just (about) two more autographs," Colombian fan Benito Camelas commented on Facebook. "James' life almost got turned upside down because he would not stop for a minute and sign them."

Rodríguez, a 24-year-old attacking midfielder, has held superstar status in his country ever since he pulled off a stellar performance during the 2014 World Cup, where he was recognized as a member of FIFA's all-star team. In 30 appearances with Real Madrid, where he now has a six-year contract, the Cúcuta native has already scored 13 goals.