Bayern Munich attacker James Rodriguez will have an extra shot of adrenaline coursing through his veins when his side meet Real Madrid in their UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg on Tuesday, as the Colombian has a point to prove against his parent club following a disappointing spell in the Spanish capital.
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The reigning European champions recruited James in the wake of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, where he dazzled for Los Cafeteros, finishing the tournament as top scorer after a series of performances that confirmed his status as a player of rare quality.
His first season in Madrid enhanced that reputation even further, registering 17 goals and 18 assists in 46 outings in all competitions. Playing under Carlo Ancelotti – the man who would eventually woo him to Bayern in July 2017 – he started 29 times and only six outfield players enjoyed more minutes on the pitch throughout the entire campaign.
Watch: James eyes Champions League success
At that point it appeared the only way was up for James. Except it wasn't.
Ancelotti was replaced by Rafa Benitez in summer 2015 and James was on the bench in the new coach's first game in charge. He then missed nearly two months with a muscle tear and just as he was working his way back into the side, Benitez was dismissed and Zinedine Zidane took over.
Yet the mouth-watering prospect of Zidane, himself a sublime playmaker in his heyday, teasing out the best from James never materialised.
Gradually, the Cucuta native slipped down the pecking order in midfield, his game time decreasing. In 2015/16 played just 1858 minutes in all competitions – 14th among all Real Madrid squad members – but still managed eight goals and 10 assists. The following year, his last in Madrid, it was even less at 1824 minutes, putting him 17th.
The @fcbayern tube map for the treble...Can the Bavarian's do it?!? ">https://www.instagram.com/p/BhrXKb1HVfT/" data-instgrm-version="8" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
The @fcbayern tube map for the treble...Can the Bavarian's do it?!?