The clash between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid will be surrounded by controversy, and one of those angles has to do with the presence of a former Real Madrid footballer facing his old team-mates.
The relationship between James Rodríguez and Zinedine Zidane made headlines for the better part of the 2016-17 season, since the Colombian playmaker demanded more playing time than the one provided by Zinedine Zidane.
While most fans blamed Zidane for Rodriguez's exit by the end of the season, the French manager hinted that both parts agreed that the player had to leave the club in order to keep growing as a footballer.
"I didn't want him to leave. He wanted to play more and I understand that. I've never had a problem with James, those are just stories you guys make up. He needed more playing time, that's the thing, and the same thing happened to other players. It keeps happening this year with those who stay on the bench," Zidane stated in today's pre-match presser.
Zizou and Rodriguez didn't part ways on the best terms due to the coach's decisions that held the player back.
Zidane left one more message to those who doubt his real feelings regarding the Colombian footballer.
"He's going to be motivated because he's a football player and he'll want to do a good job, not to prove anything to me. Those who think I had something against him are wrong. He is one hell of a good player," the coach added.
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