Rodriguez: I Cried When I Left Real Madrid, and I Was Close to Manchester United

The veteran star James Rodriguez has returned to the spotlight after being called up to the Colombian national team for the World Cup preparations, alongside the release of a new documentary about him on Netflix, highlighting the key moments of his long professional career.

The Colombian star spoke during the documentary about the period when he was close to moving to Manchester United after leaving Real Madrid, before receiving a decisive call from Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti that completely changed the course of his decision.

James said: "No one knows this, but after Real Madrid, I was about to sign for Manchester United. Jorge Mendes asked me if I wanted to go to Bayern Munich, and I was hesitant because Ribéry and Robben were there... then he told me that Ancelotti wanted me."

He added, "Carlo called me and said: 'Which Manchester are you talking about? You have to come here with me.' I believe I made the right decision by joining Bayern Munich."

He continued: "With Zidane, I was training well. When I played, I performed correctly. I delivered great matches. I scored goals and assisted others, but when important matches came, I wasn't in the starting lineup. At that point, I felt frustrated and wondered: What can I do? The newspapers were filled with criticism because they focused on me sitting on the bench with an angry face. This created a toxic environment. From the beginning, Zidane had 12 or 13 players. I believe he chose a core group. I had no problem with him, nor any personal conflicts. I just wanted to play, and that's something to be respected because he was able to win titles."

Regarding his relationship with Ancelotti: "Carlo is someone who is very close to the players, and that's why everyone gives their best with him and always wins titles. Carlo gets very close to the player, and the relationship with him has always been like that of a father and son. I am someone who, when I feel that someone trusts me and stands by me, I give everything I have for them. So when I had the opportunity to work under his leadership, that feeling was always there; my idea was always to give everything for Carlo."

Regarding his time with Rafa Benitez: "We were at odds from the start. I didn't like his way of thinking, and it seemed he didn't like mine either. In one match, I was playing well, but he took me off in the 60th minute, so I made some gestures, and the crowd in the stadium turned against him. From that night, he thought I was the one who made the crowd turn against him."

He concluded about his departure from Real Madrid: "When I left Real Madrid, I got home... sad and cried. I went to cry alone so my daughter wouldn't see me. But she found me and asked why I was crying... I told her we had to leave Real Madrid, and that I needed to change clubs. My heart was truly broken."