James Rodríguez wants more playing time at Real Madrid

Colombian James Rodríguez, who had offers to leave Real Madrid, asked to play "more minutes this year" after being benched last season by coach Zinedine Zidane, which almost led him to leave the club.

"I hope to play more minutes this year, as I decided to stay here to succeed and have a great season", he expressed in an interview with his country's television channel Caracol TV.

In the recent campaign, James started in 17 matches and was substituted nine times; he scored seven goals and provided eight assists.

"My desires are to have a good season, play more at Real Madrid, and also win matches with the Colombian national team to go to the 2018 World Cup in Russia and one day win the Ballon d'Or. That's why I'm training hard," said the footballer, who won the Argentine football championship with Banfield in 2009.

And he concluded: "I know the club has received an offer of 85 million for me, but I'm not leaving."

Therefore, the midfielder, who emerged from Envigado, Colombia, put aside any doubts and decided to stay and fulfill his contract in "The White House," which will have to defend the "Champions League" title this season and will have the Club World Cup in December.