Cristiano Ronaldo played a major part in convincing Colombian playmaker James Rodriguez to continue fighting for a place in the Real Madrid starting XI.

A discussion between the Portugal talisman convinced James to snub Premier League interest, according to the Confidencial Colombia.

James was strongly linked with a move to England with Chelsea leading Manchester United in the pursuit for the Real Madrid attacker. A move looked on the cards in January with the Colombian hinting on several occasions that a place on the bench in Madrid was not where he belonged.

Zinedine Zidane further irked the Colombian when he left James on the sidelines for the Club World Cup before Ronaldo intervened.

‘We all go through bad moments, but a new year starts for me now,’ James said after his brace in the Copa del Rey last-16 first leg against Sevilla.

‘I am staying in Madrid.’