Former Real Madrid and Rayo Vallecano star James Rodriguez has never been afraid of the fierce lights, and in a recent interview a number of claims have made that will give him a lot of attention. Not in the least implies that the Copa America won by Argentina last year was established.
Rodriguez, 33, joined Rayo Vallecano at the start of the season, but barely seen under Inigo Perez, and left for Mexico in January, at Club Leon after withdrew his contract. However, he remains a fixture and star artist for Colombia. Less than 12 months ago he was appointed player of the tournament when Colombia lost the penalties to Argentina.
During an interview with El Chiringuito, as worn by Diario such as, Rodriguez noted that Colombia not only had a more difficult draw and more journeys, but in his eyes 'something strange happened' with officializing.
Every recoil he receives for those comments that he will probably not see because he has taken himself from some social media to prevent criticism.
“They always influenced me, but now I read nothing. I have not seen X since 2020. I don't use Facebook; The only social media platforms I view are Instagram and Tiktok. I try to concentrate on myself. I know that when I play badly in a game, and if I do well, I am self -critical. Football has become very result -oriented, because you play poorly and score a goal or make a pass and it seems like you have played well. It happened to me now and then. Of course I prefer to win and of course play badly. “
After an impressive World Cup in 2014 in Brazil, Rodriguez made his name on the global stage and drew a few weeks later for Real Madrid.
“City and PSG wanted me too. They offered me a lot of money, very high salaries compared to those now being paid, but I chose Madrid because Florentino called me and said, “Glory or silverware?” I have always been a fan of Real Madrid; Real Madrid is Real Madrid. When I arrived in Madrid, I thought, “How am I going to talk to Ramos, Karim, Modric, Cristiano Ronaldo or Iker?” But I arrived and they were all very calm, as if they had played in the neighborhood. '
“Florentino Perez has always treated me well. I haven't spoken to him for a long time, but I think I have always been one of his favorites. He told me: “What a shame” when I went to Bayern. I arrived when Ancelotti arrived; Kroos, Isco, Benzema and Bale were in the team and I thought he would not start in the first game because I had only trained for five days and he started me; I played 60 minutes. “
In his eyes, his first year in the club was comparing with the excellent debut campaign of Jude Bellingham last season.
“I scored more than 14 goals and 15 assists, I think. It was a spectacular year, similar to the year that Bellingham had in his first season. I really like the way he plays. I think he could win a balloon d'Or. Of course, to win the balloon d'Or, I had Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Iniesta, Xavi, Suarez, Neymar … In 2014 I finished eighth, with these greats for me. Yes, I would have liked to have won the balloon; I came in the neighborhood, but it is true that I was more focused on winning titles such as the Champions League. “
The Colombian superstar, however, fell out of the side under Rafael Benitez after the departure of Carlo Ancelotti.
“I was a disagreement with him. First he turned on me, and then he didn't. Once I came from the game because I was replaced and the Bernabeu whistled the replacement, I made a gesture and I think he thought I had directed the crowd to him. He took it wrong. “
He had no threatening plans to withdraw from the game, after several nomadic years through England, Saudi Aarabia and Brazil.
“I want to play in the World Cup 2026 and see if I will stay a year or two if my body reacts well, and if not, then not. I will decide after the World Cup. My daughter wants me to stay until I am 39. It is true that my football, that is more about touch and not so physical, I think I can help myself continue. My daughter will kill me when I tell her that I will retire after the World Cup. For her I would think about it. “
He would go further that he doesn't watch much football, because of the fact that it is boring him and 'nobody does anything if Neymar, Messi, Cristiano or Robben did'. He noticed that he believed that Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior were currently his top three players in the world.
“Zidane was very good, he won the World Cup in his Prime, but … James,” he answered when he was asked to choose who was better. Rodriguez would therefore choose himself above Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Xavi Hernandez.
Colombia is currently fourth in the South American Qualifiers table with six games to go, on 19 points. With a hole of six points to Bolivia in the seventh, and six teams that arrive in the United States, Canada and Mexico in 2026, it would be a big surprise if James does not lead his side at the tournament. This international break they are confronted with Brazil and Paraguay.