Madrid Left In Shock

Real Madrid Left In Shock As Colombia Call-up James
Oct 3, 2015 09:00:00

The Liga side do not understand the decision to include the injured star for World Cup qualifiers against Peru and Uruguay with James having not featured for the club since August

Real Madrid are puzzled by James Rodriguez's inclusion in Colombia's squad for World Cup qualifiers against Peru and Uruguay, with the midfielder still suffering from a thigh injury.

Goal understands that the Madrid camp are surprised that the former Monaco star has been called up by Jose Pekerman although respect the South American nation's right to include the 24-year-old despite him having not played a single minute of domestic football since August 29.

Madrid boss Rafael Benitez revealed on Saturday that James's thigh injury had been aggravated in training, with the midfielder ruled out of Sunday's La Liga derby at Atletico.

Benítez: "@jamesdrodriguez took a knock in training to the area where he was injured. He is unable to play. #RMCity#RMLiga

— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) October 3, 2015

Indeed, James initially suffered the tear to his left thigh while on international duty with Colombia back on September 9, with the midfielder taken off after 59 minutes of the 1-1 friendly draw with Peru in New Jersey.

And, having lost James to injury in what was a friendly international, Madrid's ire has now been exasperated after finding out that he has now been called up for his national team despite having not featured for his club since August.

The call-up adds to the frustrations of the Liga giants, with Goal understanding that Madrid were unimpressed that James was not suitably protected from the excessive force of the Peruvian players back in the September friendly.

After the last international break, Benitez expressed his anger at the injuries sustained by some of his stars on international duty, with full-back Danilo also sidelined while away with Brazil.

He said: "Players have a lot of games in a single year. Many of them insignificant. The football goverments should compensate the clubs depending on the damage done."