Saturday’s clash between Rayo Vallecano and Real Madrid at the Estadio de Vallecas is going to be a special one for James Rodríguez and Carlo Ancelotti, as the two men’s paths will cross yet again. Having shared dressing rooms at three different clubs, on this occasion James and Ancelotti will face each other as rivals. However, off the pitch they have built a special relationship that dates back to 2014.
After thriving with Colombia and winning the Golden Boot at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, James moved to the Spanish capital to play under the Italian tactician. “Real Madrid’s history will tell you that they always want to have the best players and ones with a future,” Ancelotti said at the time. “We have signed one of the stars of the World Cup. You need these kinds of players for the future, not just for the present.”
Ancelotti quickly made him a key part of the team and, under the Italian’s guidance, James flourished in an advanced playmaking role, contributing 17 goals and 18 assists across all competitions during his debut season.
Yet, Ancelotti’s departure from Los Blancos in 2015 marked the beginning of a turbulent period for James, whose form waned under club legend Zinedine Zidane.
Two years later, James and Ancelotti would join forces again, as the current Real Madrid boss lured the Colombia international to Bayern Munich. “We are very happy that we have managed to conclude this transfer,” said the then-Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. “The signing of James Rodríguez was the big wish from our manager, Carlo Ancelotti, after the two of them worked together successfully at Real Madrid. ”
In Munich, James rediscovered his form, tallying seven goals and 11 assists in his first Bundesliga season. Ancelotti’s trust gave him the confidence to excel for the German giants, demonstrating again their synergy. “It was a very, very good transfer and I have to thank Carlo Ancelotti once again,” Rummenigge admitted in April 2018.
After winning back-to-back Bundesliga titles, James departed Bayern Munich and returned to his parent club, Real Madrid, in the summer of 2019.