James Rodríguez, the Colombian midfielder currently playing for Club León in Mexico, has revealed details of a conversation he had with Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez before his move to the Spanish club.
The Story Behind the Transfer
James was one of the standout stars of the 2014 FIFA World Cup with Colombia, attracting attention from top European clubs. In the end, Real Madrid won the race for his signature, signing him from AS Monaco for €75 million.
Offers from Paris and Manchester City
The 33-year-old recently spoke on the program “Los Amigos de Edu” with journalist Edu Aguirre. He revealed that both Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain had offered him significant financial deals, but he turned them down.
He highlighted a decisive moment when Florentino Pérez asked him, “Do you want money or trophies?” This question played a key role in his decision to join Los Blancos.
James also shared that during the World Cup, his agent informed him of Real Madrid’s interest but advised him to stay focused. In response, James went on to score against Japan and Uruguay, further proving his worth.
Competing for the Ballon d’Or
Reflecting on his career, James stated, “I competed for the Ballon d’Or against Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Andrés Iniesta, Xavi, Luis Suárez, Franck Ribéry, and Arjen Robben. Imagine that! I finished eighth in 2014.”
He added, “People in Madrid still love me and ask why I left. I did a lot of good things there. I had a disagreement with Rafa Benítez, who substituted me, and the Santiago Bernabéu crowd whistled. I believe those whistles were directed at him.”
Praise for Zidane and Ancelotti
James explained why Zinedine Zidane was successful as a coach: “He knows how to manage a team, just like Carlo Ancelotti. Ancelotti has coached legends like Kaká, Maldini, and Cristiano Ronaldo, and no one ever crosses the line with him. For me, he is the best coach in the world.”
Football Has Become “Boring”
Commenting on modern football, James said, “The game has become monotonous, direct, and fast-paced. There are only a few players worth watching. Right now, Lamine Yamal is at the top. He doesn’t have Messi’s abilities, but he can reach that level.”
Copa América Final Controversy
Speaking about Colombia’s loss to Argentina in the Copa América 2024 final, James claimed, “Argentina won due to external factors. The referee had a big influence on the result. He denied us one or two clear penalties. Why weren’t the VAR audio recordings released like in other matches? It’s a strange situation that raises questions.”
