James Rodriguez: “At my peak, I was head and shoulders above Zidane, Modric and Xavi”
Former Real Madrid midfielder James Rodriguez has made a bold statement, declaring himself superior to soccer legends such as Zinedine Zidane, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Xavi in his heyday.
Speaking on Los Amigos de Edu, the Colombian international didn’t hesitate to place himself above the midfielders who have marked the history of soccer. “Zidane was very good, he won the World Cup, but… James. At my peak, James,” he declared, repeating the same answer when asked to compare himself to Modric, Kroos and Xavi.
It’s a statement that’s likely to provoke debate, given that these players have dominated world soccer, each with an impressive list of achievements. Modric and Kroos have been Real Madrid centrepieces in recent times, while Xavi has epitomized midfield excellence for Barcelona and Spain. As for Zidane, his talent and impact on the game are indisputable, particularly with his 1998 World Cup triumph.
Rodriguez also reflected on his move to Real Madrid in 2014, after a dazzling World Cup in which he finished Golden Boot winner with six goals. “During the tournament, my agent Jorge Mendes told me that Real wanted me. That gave me strength and I continued to give it my all,” he confided.
Despite a mixed spell at Madrid (125 games, 37 goals, 42 assists), James Rodriguez remains convinced that he has made his mark on his era. It remains to be seen whether his statements will resonate with soccer fans, or whether they will be perceived as a mere provocation.