Barcelona star Lionel Messi has reportedly advised Real Madrid midfielder, James Rodriguez, to leave the Bernabeu. Messi met with the Colombian midfielder after the El Clasico last Saturday and urged the player to find a club where he can play regular football and show his talent.
The Barca forward sought Rodriguez to offer the latter his support after the El Clasico, where the Colombian international was subjected to the bench by manager Zinedine Zidane. The Los Blancos manager preferred Castilla striker Mariano Diaz ahead of the midfielder as a second half substitute.
Rodriguez joined Real Madrid in July 2014, from Monaco after his excellent displays at FIFA World Cup 2014 impressed the Los Vikings. Although the 25-year-old midfielder has a good start at the Los Blancos, he has been struggling with game time at the Bernabeu, since Zidane joined the club replacing manager Rafael Benitez.
The Colombian midfielder has run out of favor at the club and while the French manager is not happy with the player’s efforts, he believes that Rodriguez should not move out of the club. The Real manager states that the midfielder will be an important player at the club and insists that he will get more game time in the future.
Rodriguez has made only 12 appearances this season, contributing with 2 goals and an assist so far. He played just 29 minutes in the La Liga since September 21st and although it was expected that Gareth Bale’s injury will put him ahead in the pecking order, nonetheless, the Colombian international was overlooked.
A versatile footballer who can play in several positions across the midfield and the front line, having played as a playmaker, winger, and a central midfielder, Rodriguez is often praised for his pace, technical skills and his ability to create chances for his team-mates as an advanced playmaker.
The player was linked with a number of clubs last summer with a potential move out of the Bernabeu in cards, Premier League clubs the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea and Serie A side Juventus and AC Milan, were keen on signing the player. Instead, the Colombian decided to stay at the club and fight for a place in the team under Zidane.
Following the situation, Barcelona star Lionel Messi, who has always adored the Colombian midfielder, believes that Rodriguez needs to find a club where he can get more game time. Messi believes that the 25-year-old midfielder is not being fair with himself by staying put at the Los Blancos.
