Colombia legend Faustino Asprilla has said James Rodriguez's friendship with Cristiano Ronaldo is having a bad influence on his career.

James has found himself on the sidelines regularly this season at Real Madrid, but it is things on the pitch that have concerned Asprilla. Most recently against Argentina, when Colombia were beaten 3-0.

“Lately what I am seeing James – who I love and respect a lot – is that his friendship with Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid is damaging him,” said Asprilla.

“He has the same gestures when they don’t give him the ball. When they don’t give Cristiano the ball he gesticulates to everyone. In Colombia, James waves his arms at his teammates.”

Asprilla then went on to say that if James did similar back in the day, someone in the team would do something about it.

“The first thing James needs to do is help his teammates improve because he’s playing in a team of youngsters who respect him and no one dares say anything to him. But in another team they’d give him a slap. At least in the Colombia side I played in we wouldn’t stand for it.

The former Newcastle United striker didn't stop there, going on to say that James' close friendship with Cristiano is behind the actions on the field.

“It’s all a bit ugly,” continued Asprilla. “It’s normal to argue with the referee and quarrel with rival players, but with your teammates it’s not. You can quarrel, but doing it because one your teammates didn’t pass the ball is the ugliest thing you can do as a footballer. He’s picked up that habit from Cristiano Ronaldo, who does it every eight days.”

James has made five appearances in LaLiga this season for Zinedine Zidane's team.