Real Madrid

James Rodriguez: 'I want to play more often for Real Madrid'

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 04 November 2016

Real Madrid forward James Rodriguez admits that he is not content with his lack of playing time under Zinedine Zidane, but 'respects' the Frenchman's decision.

James Rodriguez has insisted that he 'respects' manager Zinedine Zidane's decision to overlook him for Real Madrid selection, but admits that he is desperate to play more often.

The Colombia international has been heavily linked with a New Year move away from the Bernabeu after struggling to hold down a place in Los Blancos' starting ranks since Zidane took charge last year.

James, who is under contract with the Spanish giants until 2020, has featured just four times in La Liga this term and says that he is finding life tough largely watching on from the sidelines.

"I want to play more," he told RCN. "But hey, there's someone (Zidane) who commands all and it is he who says who plays who does not play. He takes decisions and he calls the shots. You have to respect all that.

"It is a relationship that is fit between a player and a coach. I'm in a club where everyone wants to win and you are always needed to play well. It is the biggest [club] worldwide - that is Real Madrid."

James, a big-money purchase from AS Monaco on the back of his Golden Boot-winning display at the 2014 World Cup, netted 13 times in his first campaign in the Spanish capital but just eight times since in the league.