The Colombian playmaker was advised to leave the Bernabeu for greener pastures by his compatriot.
James Rodriguez should leave Real Madrid and could play for any team in the world, according to Colombian legend Carlos Valderrama.
The 28-year-old midfielder – that has been linked with a move to Arsenal – has fought to lock down a regular first-team start at Madrid in recent seasons.
Rodriguez was loaned out to Bayern Munich the past two campaigns and after returning to Madrid in the summer, has only managed 13 appearances in the Spanish capital throughout an injury-affected stint.
Together with the Colombian international’s future apparently away from the Santiago Bernabeu, his countryman Valderrama believes it is time for the playmaker to proceed and he can be a success everywhere.
“James is large enough to make his own decisions today,” Valderrama, who won 111 caps for La Tricolour, told Caracol Radio.
“If it had been me, I would be running away from Madrid.
“He is good enough to play for any team. I would not doubt for an instant.
“He’s a wonderful player, he has already proved it.
“He can begin for any other group, he has got the quality to perform anywhere in the world.”
Valderrama was vocal about Rodriguez needing to depart Real Madrid previously, insisting that the former Monaco celebrity was not desired by Zinedine Zidane.
“The coach does not want him and he will not play if he remains in Real Madrid. He should leave, that is just how it is,” Valderrama said in August last year.
“When James signed for Madrid the fans were excited and so was the president but the trainer just does not want him.”
Rodriguez earned a move to Real in 2014 after his stunning performances from the 2014 World Cup, where he won the tournament’s Golden Boot and was selected in the Team of the Tournament.
He had been a success during his first campaign in the Spanish capital in 2014-15, winning choice in La Liga’s team of the year since the competition’s best midfielder and also being named in UEFA’s team of the year.
But he gradually fell out of favour in Los Blancos within the next two seasons and was finally sent on a 24-month loan to Bayern.
Rodriguez won two Bundesliga titles with the Bavarian giants but failed to convince the team to sign him permanently at the end of his temporary spell.
