In a recent interview, Colombian midfielder James Rodríguez has revisited his turbulent time at Real Madrid, especially his strained relationship with coach Zinedine Zidane. Five years after leaving the club, Rodríguez, now playing for Club León in Mexico, expressed his frustration with his treatment at Madrid.
Rodríguez, who joined Real Madrid in 2014 following an impressive season at AS Monaco, was expected to be a key player. However, his time at the club was marked by ups and downs, with his relationship with Zidane particularly difficult.
On the “Les Amis d’Edu” podcast, Rodríguez shared, “Zidane has always been my idol. Sometimes, he’d train and show more quality than all of us. When he arrived, it sparked a lot of interest in the press. I had no issues with him, I wasn’t upset as it was often portrayed, but he found a great team that I just didn’t fit into.”
Rodríguez continued, “With him, I played, but in important matches, he didn’t select me. He went with Kroos, Casemiro, and Modric, and that’s respectable.” These comments reflect Rodríguez’s sense of injustice, as he feels he was overlooked in crucial moments.
He also compared his experience with Zidane to that under Carlo Ancelotti, whom he calls “the best in the world.” “A coach’s success often depends on how they manage their team. With Ancelotti, players always thrived, like Kaka, Cristiano, Vini, Rodrygo, and me. He has a special quality, for me, he’s the best. With him, I always played,” Rodríguez said.
These statements underscore the contrast between the two coaches. While Ancelotti trusted Rodríguez, Zidane consistently opted for other players, which led to the Colombian’s frustration.
Since leaving Madrid, Rodríguez’s career has been marked by mixed stints at Bayern Munich, Everton, Al Rayyan, Olympiacos, São Paulo, and Rayo Vallecano. At 33, he’s now trying to reignite his career at Club León, where he’s scored 2 goals in 7 appearances since January.
Despite facing numerous challenges, Rodríguez remains a talented player who could have achieved much more in Europe. However, injuries and controversies have hindered his progress and prevented him from reaching his full potential.
Rodríguez’s comments about Zidane have sparked mixed reactions in the football world. Some support his decision to speak out, while others criticize his lack of professionalism.
Regardless of differing opinions, it’s clear that the relationship between Rodríguez and Zidane remains one of the most controversial in recent Real Madrid history.
Today, Rodríguez is focused on his career in Mexico, where he hopes to rediscover the joy of playing football. Zidane, on the other hand, remains a revered figure at Real Madrid, despite Rodríguez’s criticisms.
The story of Rodríguez and Zidane serves as a reminder that even the greatest talents can encounter struggles in their careers. It also highlights the significance of a coach-player relationship and its impact on performance.
Ultimately, Rodríguez’s statements reflect his passion for the game and his desire to succeed. They also serve as a reminder of football’s emotional nature, where human relationships play a crucial role.
Rodríguez’s journey further illustrates the challenges of managing a star-studded team and how decisions made by even the best coaches can be questioned long after. Both the player and Zidane have moved on, but the memories of their time together will continue to be discussed among Real Madrid fans.
Rodríguez’s current form is a testament to his commitment to the sport. He has found a place where he is appreciated and can play regularly, something he missed in the latter stages of his European career. His experience offers a valuable lesson to younger players: even in difficult times, success is always possible.
