James: I want to stay at Madrid for a long time
James Rodriguez is happy in the Spanish capital after starting Real Madrid's 3-1 Champions League win over Napoli.
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JduXWhSH8kAiBhyi7BgCab.jpg)
James Rodriguez insisted his future is with Real Madrid, despite ongoing speculation over his future.
In a rare chance to impress under Zinedine Zidane, James started in Madrid's 3-1 win against Napoli in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 clash on Wednesday.
James made the most of his opportunity amid reported interest from the Premier League but the Colombia international is happy in the Spanish capital.
"I thinking everything is going well, Madrid are a big club and I always wanted to be here," he said.
"Good and bad things always happen but I want to stay here for a lot longer.
"I always train to play and I want to be here."
James continued: "You always want to play, now that I have more game time, everything is slowly changing."
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
The 25-year-old also heaped praise on Zidane following the win at the Santiago Bernabeu, where Toni Kroos, Karim Benzema and Casemiro all scored.
"He's good, he's an excellent coach and he's very talented," James said. "I have spoken to him about certain issues already and I do not want to talk about it."
![LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 5: Arne Slot Manager of Liverpool congratulates Mohamed Salah of Liverpool after the 4-0 victory during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between Liverpool FC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Anfield on November 5, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/q3ie7X2vDDiU7X6C9HVRK7-840-80.jpg)
‘The pure simplicity of the way Slot has managed the squad is probably the biggest thing I could say about him. It’s not broken, so let’s get on with it’: Liverpool legend full of admiration for Jurgen Klopp's successor at Anfield
![CARDIFF, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 02: Wales captain Ryan Giggs shakes the hand of manager John Toshack after being substituted on his last International appearance for his country during the Euro 2008 Group D Qualifying Match between Wales and Czech Republic at the Millennium Stadium on June 2, 2007 in Cardiff, Wales. Photo by (Stu Forster/Getty Images)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ooQ9oNmgvfUUG8TBUhn6BK-840-80.jpg)
‘I trained at Spurs and thought they’d give me a chance. But I received a letter thanking me but saying they didn’t think I was good enough – I was gutted’: How Tottenham missed out on signing Wales legend John Toshack