Former Real Madrid star James Rodriguez names ‘crazy’ cultural differences he struggled to adapt to during nightmare spell playing in Qatar

The Colombian moved to the Gulf after leaving Everton in 2021. Rodriguez surprisingly failed to make an impact in the Qatar Stars League barely featuring and scoring just four goals before departing for Olympiacos a year later.

Reflecting back, Rodriguez puts his disappointing performances partly down to the difficulties he had adapting to life in Qatar.

In an interview with Brazilian TV station Globo (via Daily Mail), Rodriguez said: "'Life and culture in Qatar are very difficult, it was a country where it was difficult to adapt. You know that in football everyone is naked when they shower, but my teammates said: 'You can't do it like that'. I was afraid. In Qatar they eat with their hands, which was difficult for me. I said, 'No thanks'. I asked for cutlery and they told me: "No, with your hand" and I replied: 'You guys are crazy, I won't eat with my hand.'"

Rodriguez's poor performances in Qatar came as a surprise given how he'd performed in the Premier League before injuries and Rafa Benitez's arrival at Goodison Park ended his time at Everton. His subsequent move to Greece with Olympiakos followed a similar pattern to his stay on Merseyside, with a strong start tailing off to the point that his contract was terminated by mutual consent.

The former Real Madrid and Bayern Munich star has now returned to the more familiar surroundings of South America with Brazilian giants Sao Paulo, who he will be hoping to help improve on a disappointing mid-table finish when the league begins again in April.