Zinedine Zidane: 'I did not want James Rodriguez to leave'

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has claimed that he did not want James Rodriguez to leave the Bernabeu last summer.

James struggled for regular action at the Bernabeu during the 2016-17 campaign, and completed a surprise loan move to Bayern Munich for the 2017-18 season.

The Colombia international will be eligible to take on his parent club in the semi-finals of this season's Champions League, with the first leg due to take place at the Allianz on Wednesday night.

Zidane, however, has said that he wanted to keep the 26-year-old in the Spanish capital.

"I didn't want James to go, he decided to go. I never had any problem with James and it's more about what is said in the press," Zidane told reporters.

"I think he will be motivated because he is a football player. He doesn't have to prove anything to anyone. Anyone that thinks I am against James is wrong. He will want to go out and prove himself but because he likes football and that's it."

James has scored six times and provided 12 assists in 34 appearances for Bayern this season.