Real Madrid midfielder James Rodriguez has spoken of his dream of playing for the club since he was a child.
The Colombian international gave an extensive interview to Cadena SER’s ‘El Larguero’ programme in which he also told of his early years as a youngster trying to make his way in football.
“I’ve always dreamed of coming here since I was three or four years old and that’s what I am doing at the moment, so I’m happy. Now I must fight to the death to continue here for many more years,” said James.
“As a youngster I had talent but you need to have luck. I played alongside a lot people who didn’t make it for whatever reason, but I was confident of doing so.
“You must have clear goals and go for them. When you have goals and belief it’s easier to accomplish things.”
The 23-year-old went on to describe his upbringing and how tough it was for his family.
“When I was three I was left alone with my mother, who was a fighter and was always there. She is an example because she was always alongside me.
“When I was five or six I was lucky enough to have a stepfather, Juanca, who leaned me towards playing football, and at that age I was placed in a school because he noticed I had talent.
“At that time he saw I had a different touch and that was when he took me to the school, so I was there from when I was seven until I was 11.
“I had a great affinity with him and now he is like my father, which I consider him to be. He worked with computers and that’s what I wanted to do.
“I started on that but because I was playing so much football I didn’t have time, although now I’d like to pick it up again,” he admitted.
James revealed he has a good relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo and knew him before he arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu from Monaco last summer.
“We had spoken before, three years ago, through [football agent] Jorge Mendes. I once took advantage of the fact we were in Munich and the people who were with me wanted a picture, so we took one with Cristiano. He wished me luck.
“There is an image I have [in my mind]. The team arrived on the bus and I thought to myself that I wanted to be there with Ramos, Cristiano…and look now. I’ll always remember it.”
