Colombian football star James Rodriguez has expressed regret over his departure from Real Madrid, a club where he once dazzled fans with his exceptional playmaking skills.
Speaking to reporters, Rodriguez shared his sentiments about leaving the Spanish giants, stating, "At the time, they didn't let me stay. I perhaps would have liked to have stayed for two or three years more."
Rodriguez's journey since leaving Real Madrid in 2020 has been nothing short of a global tour, with stints at Everton in the Premier League, Al-Rayyan in Qatar and Olympiacos in Greece. Most recently, he returned to South America to play for São Paulo in Brazil before signing a one-year deal with Rayo Vallecano in Spain's La Liga on August 26, 2024.
The 33-year-old midfielder, who was once hailed as the successor to Colombian legend Carlos Valderrama, has had a career marked by both brilliance and challenges. His time at Real Madrid, from 2014 to 2020, saw him achieve significant success, including being named in the La Liga Team of the Season and winning the La Liga Best Midfielder award in his debut season.
Despite his achievements, Rodriguez's relationship with then-coach Zinedine Zidane was reportedly strained, leading to limited playing opportunities and ultimately his decision to seek new pastures. "He has his own tastes for some players and you have to respect that," Rodriguez acknowledged in previous statements regarding his exit from the club.
Since his departure, Rodriguez has continued to showcase his talent on the international stage, notably starring at the recent Copa América in the United States, where he contributed a tournament-record six assists and led Colombia to the final against Argentina.
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