James Rodriguez insists he can cope with the pressure of being a Real Madrid player after completing his move from Monaco.
The Colombia international was presented last night at Santiago Bernabeu with some 45,000 fans in attendance.
James has become the third-most expensive player in the club’s history but says he won’t let the money paid by Madrid prey on his mind.
“It’s a lot of pressure to be here but I’m prepared to face it,” Marca reports James as saying.
“I’ve come to help the club continue to make history and to make some more. I’m dreaming of winning things for many years because this is a winning club and I’m a winner too.”
James finished the World Cup as the tournament’s top scorer but suggested he was aware of Madrid’s interest even before his impressive showing in Brazil.
“They followed me before I scored against Uruguay. Scoring that goal was a boost,” he added.
“I always wanted to play here and since I heard of the club’s interest in me I made every effort to be here.
“I’ve followed this club since there was [Zinidine] Zidane, Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos…I was 11 and since then I’ve always followed Madrid.
“This is a team I have always followed. I dreamed of being here. I’ve worked a lot, I suffered a lot and when it costs more, you feel better.
“Now I just have to be happy, work hard and train hard to have a place here.
“I don’t feel like a starter. I just want to train every day. I want to train well and be at a high level to be under consideration to get on the pitch.”
