James Rodríguez Slams Zidane, 5 Years Later: “What He Did to Me at Real”

In a recent interview, James Rodríguez, the Colombian midfielder, has reopened the wounds of his time at Real Madrid, particularly his tumultuous relationship with coach Zinedine Zidane. Five years after his departure from the Madrid club, Rodríguez, currently a player for Club León in Mexico, has not held back in expressing his frustration.

Rodríguez, who joined Real Madrid in 2014 after an exceptional season at AS Monaco, was expected to be one of the cornerstones of the team. However, his journey at the club was marked by highs and lows, and his relationship with Zidane was particularly strained.

Speaking on the “Les Amis d’Edu” podcast, Rodríguez stated, “Zidane has always been my idol. Sometimes, he would train during practice and he had more quality than all of us. When Zidane arrived, it created a lot of curiosity in the press. I had no problem with him, I wasn’t angry with him as they said, but he found a great team that I didn’t fit into.”

The Colombian then added, “With him, I played, but in the key games, he didn’t put me in. He put Kroos, Casemiro, and Modric, and that’s respectable.” These remarks reveal a sense of injustice on Rodríguez’s part, who feels he didn’t get his chance in the decisive moments.

Rodríguez also compared his experience with Zidane to the one he had with Carlo Ancelotti, whom he considers “the best in the world.” “The success or failure of a coach depends a lot on how he manages the group. If you look at Carletto, you see that all the players who played in his teams performed well. Kaka succeeded with Inter under Ancelotti, at Madrid, it happened with Cristiano, Vini, Rodrygo, and myself. Ancelotti has a special value, for me, he’s the best in the world. With him, I always played,” he declared.

These statements highlight the stark contrast between the two coaches. While Ancelotti seemed to place his trust in Rodríguez, Zidane preferred to rely on other players, leading to the Colombian’s frustration.

Rodríguez’s journey after leaving Real Madrid has been fraught with difficulties. He experienced mixed spells at Bayern Munich, Everton, Al Rayyan, Olympiacos, São Paulo, and Rayo Vallecano. Today, at 33, he is trying to revive his career at Club León, where he has scored 2 goals in 7 matches since his arrival in January.

Despite the challenges faced, Rodríguez remains a talented player who could have achieved great things in Europe. However, injuries and controversies have hindered his progress, preventing him from reaching his full potential.

Rodríguez’s statements about Zidane have sparked strong reactions in the football world. Some believe he is right to speak out about his past, while others criticize his lack of professionalism.

Regardless of individual opinions, it is undeniable that the relationship between Rodríguez and Zidane was one of the most controversial chapters in Real Madrid’s recent history.

Today, Rodríguez is focused on his career in Mexico, where he hopes to rediscover the joy of playing football. As for Zidane, he remains one of the most iconic figures at Real Madrid, despite the criticisms from the former Colombian midfielder.

The story of Rodríguez and Zidane reminds us that even the greatest talents can face difficulties in their careers. It also underscores the importance of the relationship between a player and his coach, which can have a significant impact on a player’s performance.

Ultimately, Rodríguez’s statements are a testament to his passion for football and his desire to succeed. They also remind us that football is a sport where emotions run high and where human relationships play a crucial role.

The comments of the player add to the general narrative of how difficult it is to manage a star studded team, and that even the best coaches can make decisions that are questioned for years to come. The player has moved on, and so has Zidane, but the memories of their time together will continue to be a topic of discussion for fans of Real Madrid.

The current form of James Rodriguez is a testament to his dedication to the sport. He has found a place where he is valued, and is able to play regularly. This is something that he had been missing in the latter part of his European career. His experience should serve as a lesson to younger players, that even when things seem difficult, there is always a chance to find success.