James' confession: Who from Real Madrid will he ask for the shirt?

In the run-up to the confrontation between Rayo Vallecano and Real Madrid for LaLiga, James Rodríguez starred in an interview with the MARCA newspaper. Responding to several topics full of nostalgia, admiration and self-criticism regarding his relationship with the merengue club, he spoke about what he will try at the end of the match. It is not usual, but he will look to exchange his shirt with one of the footballers he played with there.

It will be a special match, not only because of the magnitude of the rival but because of the opportunity to see an emotional moment of respect and nostalgia: the expected exchange of shirts that James intends with Luka Modric or Lucas Vázquez.

James made it clear that, although shirt exchanges are common in professional football, he is not one of the players who usually asks for them. “I'm not much of a shirt orderer.and that is one of the things I regret now. But I was always shy about that. I never liked to ask, ever. On Saturday? With someone who has played, with Modric, who I had a very good relationship with him, or with Lucas Vázquezplayers with whom we play together and whom I have great appreciation for,” he confessed. His shyness when it comes to requesting these types of souvenirs is something he would like to have changed throughout his career, although he has always remained faithful to his more reserved style.

However, in this upcoming game against his former team, James is likely to break that habit. Although it is not something he does frequently, there are players with whom he would like to exchange his shirt for his joint time in the merengue team.

FOTO: DENIS DOYLE | Real Madrid v Sevilla – Copa del Rey: Round of 16 First Leg | GETTY IMAGES | ONE FOOTBALL

Regarding Luka Modric, James did not skimp on his praise. He fondly remembered his time together at Real Madrid, highlighting the great relationship they had on the field. “He is a genius, a genius. I had the opportunity to play with him and over the years he plays better every day. The older it gets, the more quality it has. When I played with him, he was already very, very good. And now he's a genius.”he stated.

These words not only show James' admiration for Modric's talent, but also the deep respect he feels for his former teammate, who has been a pillar of the Madrid midfield for many years.

The fact that Modric now wears the number 10, the same number that James wore during his time at Real Madrid, makes this shirt exchange even more symbolic. For the Colombian it is a way to pay tribute to a player who inspired him and with whom he shared great moments at the club.

James also mentioned Lucas Vázquez as one of the players with whom he would like to exchange shirts. “With Lucas, we play together and I have great appreciation for them,” he commented. The relationship between the two was always one of respect and camaraderie. Although they did not share as much prominence as James and Modric, both footballers were part of the same generation of Real Madrid players, fighting for the same goals.

This gesture of exchanging shirts, which is not only a symbolic act, but also a show of mutual respect, represents for James the opportunity to keep alive the connection with his past at the white club.

The duel between Rayo Vallecano and Real Madrid on Saturday will, without a doubt, be a match full of emotions for James Rodríguez. Not only because he faces his former team, but also because it will be the ideal occasion to honor those with whom he shared unforgettable moments at Real Madrid. And although James is not someone who asks for shirts frequently, his desire to exchange one with Modric or Lucas Vázquez is a clear reflection of the love and respect he feels for them.