Father: 'Leaving Real Madrid right choice for James Rodriguez'

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 19 February 2018

Leaving Madrid 'right choice for Rodriguez'

The father of James Rodriguez accuses Carlo Ancelotti of sapping the Bayern Munich ace of his "sporting joy" during their time at Real Madrid.

James Rodriguez has been praised by his father for his decision to swap Real Madrid for a "calm and cheerful life" at Bayern Munich.

The Colombia international was granted his wish of leaving the Bernabeu last summer, arriving at Bayern on an initial two-year loan deal.

Rodriguez has now found his feet in Bavaria after getting 24 appearances under his belt and, according to Wilson Rodriguez, quitting Real was the only real choice after growing frustrated under then-boss Carlo Ancelotti.

"My son did well leaving Real Madrid for Bayern Munich. He is very happy in Germany," he told Marca Claro. "I see him living a calm and cheerful life and it's incredibly important for him to perform on the pitch.

"He loves Real Madrid a lot, I don't think anybody can ever doubt that. But the best thing he could do was leave the team. He had lost the sporting joy on the pitch that he had when Ancelotti was coach."

Rodriguez has four goals and six assists in 16 Bundesliga appearances, helping Bayern to carve out a 19-point lead at the top.