Workout
Meditation
Contact Us
Rayo Vallecano’s acquisition of James Rodríguez was seen as one of the most impressive deals during the summer transfer window. However, the 33-year-old playmaker has barely been used this season, having been reduced to seven La Liga appearances (one start).
James was behind winning the 2024 Copa América MVP, which makes the matter even more surprising. However, he does not complain about the situation, as he told Marca.
“They are decisions that I do not make, they are things that I cannot control. I take responsibility for my things, but playing or not… I don’t control it. My mission is to train well, to be physically well every day, as I am now and as I have shown in the matches with Colombia. There, if I’m not physically well, I wouldn’t play. That’s why I try to take good care of myself. I try to train well in case I have to play, to be prepared.
“Like everything in football, it’s about taste and maybe there are coaches who play in a certain way and you don’t fit into their scheme. And that is totally respectable. I am almost 34 years old and I am at a more mature point in my career. I know where to run, where to ask for the ball, where to create space.”
Rayo have managed quite well without having to use James too much, so coach Íñigo Pérez can’t be criticized for his decision. However, it is still surprising.
