The Colombian playmaker has endured a difficult season after starring for Real in 2014-15 - Goal takes a look at his problems on and off the pitch in the current campaign

It all started against Sporting Gijon. James Rodriguez was left on the bench for the first Real Madrid match of 2015-16 and questions were asked. But five months on and against the same side on Sunday, the Colombian was again among the substitutes - this time under Zinedine Zidane. So the problem, it seems, was not Rafa Benitez after all.

James returned to training later than his team-mates after playing for Colombia at the Copa America. Madrid sources claim Benitez asked the playmaker to be back a couple of days earlier, but instead he arrived on the date originally stipulated. The relationship did not get off to a strong start - and it barely improved as the months went by.

After returning to the team in Madrid's second match of the season, a 5-0 win against Betis in which he struck two stunning goals, James suffered a thigh injury on international duty with Colombia and ended up missing seven weeks after aggravating the problem when he had looked close to a return in October.

Available again in November, James came off the bench against Sevilla after 63 minutes but could not stop Rafa's side from suffering their first loss of his reign, despite a fine consolation goal in added time. Madrid lost 3-2 and even though the Colombian had trained all week, Benitez said afterwards: "He wasn't fit enough to play more than half an hour."

Away again with Colombia five days later, the playmaker completed 90 minutes and scored in his side's 1-1 draw in Chile - and he sent a message to his coach after the game: "That's for those who say I'm not in shape..."

After another international break, James subsequently started the Clasico against Barcelona but looked lost as Madrid's midfield were completely overwhelmed in the 4-0 defeat. Isco, who had started regularly up until the game against Barca, was unhappy at being benched and his night ended in frustration as he kicked out at Neymar and was shown a red card after being brought on with the game already lost in the second half.

Privately, Benitez believed James was still carrying too much weight and those remarks reached the media late last year. And during a players' dinner before Christmas, one journalist even asked the Colombian about his physique. "Look at me," he replied. "I'm fine."

And on Instagram, he even posted a picture of himself with his shirt off to reveal his toned torso. It seemed like another message for his coach and everyone else doubting him. Meanwhile, however, his performances on the pitch were not improving and he was benched again by Benitez for what would be the Spaniard's last game in charge - a 2-2 draw at Valencia earlier this month.

When Zidane came in as Rafa's replacement a day later, James was widely expected to return to the starting line-up. Instead, however, Isco was picked ahead of him in the 5-0 win over Deportivo La Coruna and again in the 5-1 victory at home to Sporting last weekend.

Shortly before half-time in that match, James was asked to warm up by the Frenchman following an injury to Gareth Bale. But by the time the Colombian had moved reluctantly from his seat to join Jese, the half-time whistle had gone and in the second half, the winger went on before him.

Footage aired after the game on Spanish television then showed Zidane looking for James on the sidelines later in the second half. He was supposed to be warming up, but was still sat on the bench. When he realised this, the Madrid coach turned angrily and gestured at the Colombian to get going.

It is an attitude far removed from the humble and hard-working James who starred for Colombia at the World Cup in 2014 and moved to Madrid that same summer in an €80 million deal from Monaco to open up a huge South American market for the Spanish side.

Performances on the pitch were also impressive at Real in his debut campaign, but have dipped dramatically in his second season. And in Colombia, much the same has been said of his international displays in recent times. In comparison to the World Cup, his form at the Copa America was poor and he has been out of sorts now for many months - with both club and country.

On his way to training on January 1, James was caught speeding and pursued all the way to Valdebebas by an unmarked police car. Meanwhile, the playmaker has been seen out and about in Madrid nightspots amid rumours that his marriage to Daniela Ospina may be in trouble.

Ospina, sister of Arsenal goalkeeper David, is currently in Colombia for three months with the couple's daughter Salome, where she is appearing on the television show Bailando con las Estrellas (Dancing with the Stars). And on it, the 23-year-old has made no mention of her husband - although one notable Colombian journalist claimed this was due to his strict contract with Real.

All alone in Madrid, James has seemingly taken to the party lifestyle and has even been linked romantically to Russian model Helga Lovekaty, a confessed admirer of the playmaker. And at this stage, it is unclear exactly when his wife and child will return to the Spanish capital.

Once a low-profile player, the midfielder's move to Madrid and success with his national team mean he now fronts magazine covers and brands across the world - a lot of pressure for a 24-year-old. In the meantime, he is also keen to secure a new deal at Real to bring him in line with higher earners such as Sergio Ramos and Gareth Bale. However, he will have to prove his worth on the pitch and at the moment, he cannot even get into the team.

"We are all in the same boat here," Zidane said after the game against Sporting when asked about James' reduced role and Isco's inclusion. "One of the other will play. At the moment, Isco is playing and James is coming on as a substitute. They are both important. All of the players are important."

The promotion of Isco is a clever piece of public relations by Zidane. The Spain midfielder had been on the verge of leaving the club after seeing his opportunities limited under Benitez, but has now decided to stay after starting the first two games since the coaching change.

Now, however, the spotlight is very much on James and Manchester United are watching with interest, the Old Trafford outfit alerted to the player's potential availability and weighing up a substantial offer. With a transfer ban hanging over them, however, Madrid cannot afford to lose any of their best players and will not contemplate a bid for the Colombian at this stage.

Nevertheless, there is concern at the Santiago Bernabeu over the Colombian's conduct both on and off the pitch. And with Zidane now in charge, nobody is blaming the coach any more.