Real Madrid attacker James Rodriguez has paid tribute to former Banfield coach Cesar Falcioni.

Falcioni placed his confidence in the Colombia international, who had only featured in 11 games prior to the coach's arrival at the club.

"Falcioni was like a father [to me]," he told channel Otro.

"He felt and knew that I had the talent to play and gave me responsibility at age 18. That is a tough thing.

"That year, we won the league and, for a club that had not been champion in 113 years, it was something historical."