James Rodriguez: 'Florentino Perez asked me, 'Do you want glory or money?''
James Rodriguez, now residing in Medellin, looks back on his time at Real Madrid, recalling the key moment when Florentino Perez asked, "What do you want, glory or money?" This question ultimately led him to choose Madrid over offers from PSG and Manchester City. He remains steadfast in his loyalty, stating, "I’ve always been a Madridista. Even if Barca had called in 2014, Madrid would have always been my choice."
Reflecting on his time with the club, Rodriguez notes, “In 2014, I competed for the Ballon d'Or against the likes of Cristiano, Messi, Iniesta, Xavi, Suarez, Ribery, and Robben. I finished eighth, which was a huge accomplishment.”
He adds, "I’m still well-loved in Madrid. People often ask me why I left, and that tells me I did my job well and gave everything for the club."
On his experience with Zidane, Rodriguez says, “Zidane succeeded because of his ability to manage the squad. It's the same with Ancelotti. Look at how everyone performs under him—Kaka, Maldini, Cristiano, myself, Vini, Rodrygo. Carlo is simply the best in the world, no matter where he is, whether it’s Madrid, Bayern, or Everton.”
Reflecting on his brief time under Rafa Benitez, James admits, “We had a small disagreement, nothing serious. He made a substitution, the Bernabeu booed, and from that moment on, there was tension between us. Zidane’s success came from his ability to manage the team, and that’s something Ancelotti does equally well."
James praises both Zidane and Ancelotti’s leadership, stating, “Why does everyone perform well under them? It all comes down to how they manage the group.” He also describes Carlo Ancelotti as “the best in the world.” Despite his current disinterest in football, James fondly remembers his time at Madrid and remains grateful for the appreciation from the club’s fans.
