Football
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Carlos Valderrama slams Real Madrid over James Rodriguez's reduced role

Colombia legend Carlos Valderrama has hit out at Real Madrid's treatment of playmaker James Rodriguez this season, saying he doesn't understand why the Cafeteros captain has been marginalised after enjoying a feature role at the club last campaign.

James, who moved from Monaco to Real for €80 million in the summer of 2014, impressively led his country to wins over Bolivia and Ecuador in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers over the past week, but will likely be on the bench for the Bernabeu club's Clasico match at Barcelona on Saturday.

Speaking at a farewell match for Uruguayan great Alvaro Recoba, Valderrama -- considered Colombia's greatest ever player -- admitted he's puzzled by James' sudden loss of stature at the Madrid club.

"I do not understand the model [of Real Madrid] now," Valderrama said on Thursday.

The 24-year-old James accounted for 35 goals in 46 matches last season under Real boss Carlo Ancelotti, but has seen his number of opportunities decline under Rafa Benitez and Zinedine Zidane in 2015-16.

"When Ancelotti was coaching, there was another model and James was a leading figure," Valderrama said.

"I do not understand why last year he was good but he does not have the same value this year. The good footballers [should] always play.

"James has already demonstrated the great talent that he is after having played in different parts of the world. Real Madrid model this year has not been convenient to him."

Following Colombia's 3-1 defeat of Ecuador on Tuesday, James said he's able to show his best form for his country because he has "the support of everyone."

The former Porto man, who has been rumoured to be sold this summer, told reporters: "When you play and have the support of everyone, it makes a difference."

Earlier this week, Colombia legend Faustino Asprilla claimed that the problem was that to be at his best James needed to be given an important role within the team, something which was not happening at Madrid at present.

ESPN FC's Dermot Corrigan contributed to this report.

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