'In my prime' - James Rodriguez rates himself above Zinedine Zidane, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos as ex-Real Madrid star tips Jude Bellingham to win Ballon d'Or

Rodriguez shot to fame at the 2014 World Cup when he scored a sensational goal against Uruguay and ended the tournament as the top scorer. The Colombia star earned a move to Real Madrid off the back of his heroics in Brazil and played under Zidane at the Santiago Bernabeu and alongside the likes of Modric and Kroos.

The 33-year-old has now been quizzed about his career at Real Madrid and which players he feels are the best in the world. He told Edu Aguirre on the program Los Amigos de Edu that his top three are “Mbappé, Bellingham and Vinicius.” Rodriguez also went on to rank himself above Modric, Kroos and even legendary Frenchman Zidane. He revealed: "Zidane was very good, he won the World Cup in his prime, but... James.”

Rodriguez also tipped Bellingham to be named the best player on the planet in the future. He added: “I scored more than 14 goals and 15 assists, I think. It was a spectacular year, similar to the year Bellingham had in his first season. I really like the way he plays. I think he could win a Ballon d'Or. Of course, to win the Ballon d'Or, I had Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Iniesta, Xavi, Suárez, Neymar... in 2014, I finished eighth, with these greats ahead of me. Yes, I would have liked to win the Ballon d'Or; I came close, but it's true that I was more focused on winning titles like the Champions League.”

Rodriguez has enjoyed stints all over the world during his career and currently plays for Mexican side Leon after mutually terminating his contract with La Liga side Rayo Vallecano in January. Leon currently sit second in the table, just a point off leaders Club America.