Carlo Ancelotti was asked if the £63 million signing of James Rodríguez was necessary for Real Madrid considering they just won the Champions League.

“Madrid’s history will tell you that they always want to have the best players and ones with a future," said Ancelotti. "We have signed one of the World Cup’s stars. You need these kinds of players for the future, not just for the present, too.”

James will join Real Madrid for training on August 1st.

“James finished the World Cup on 30 June and needs a month of holidays and a break,” Ancelotti said. “He will start on 1 August with Benzema and Varane.”