Faustino Asprilla has hit out at the treatment that James Rodriguez is receiving at Real Madrid.

Rodriguez, 24, has been widely criticised this season, both for his performances on the pitch and conduct away from the club.

However, Asprilla has insisted that his fellow countryman would thrive at the Bernabeu if he were given the same responsibility that was afforded to him at international level or by former head coach Carlo Ancelotti.

"It's not that James performs better playing for the Colombian national team than for Real Madrid, what happens here in Colombia is he is given the true importance that a player of his characteristics needs in order to perform," Marca quotes the ex-Newcastle United striker as saying.

"At Real Madrid they are not giving him the importance that he needs. He's a young man with too much talent but James hasn't been shown the love that he needs at his club.

"When he was playing under Ancelotti, the player showed his true value. He's not been able to demonstrate it this season because they don't give him the special treatment that all players need at their clubs."

Rodriguez has been linked with a summer move over recent weeks, with Manchester United supposedly among the interested clubs.