James Rodriguez, right, and Bayern Munich manager Niko Kovac during pre-season in Miami. Getty Images
James Rodriguez, right, and Bayern Munich manager Niko Kovac during pre-season in Miami. Getty Images
James Rodriguez, right, and Bayern Munich manager Niko Kovac during pre-season in Miami. Getty Images
James Rodriguez, right, and Bayern Munich manager Niko Kovac during pre-season in Miami. Getty Images

James Rodriguez has no plans for Real Madrid return: 'my future is at Bayern'


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Colombian midfielder James Rodriguez has dismissed claims he could return to Real Madrid from his loan spell at Bayern Munich early and said he hopes to make his move to the German giants permanent.

Rodriguez, 27, joined Bayern on a two-year loan deal last summer after struggling to hold down a regular starting berth under former Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane.

Media reports in Spain claim Madrid are keen to take Rodriguez back to the Spanish capital following Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Italian champions Juventus.

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However, the Colombian said he has no plans to leave Bayern and has outlined his desire to remain in Bavaria beyond the end of the loan spell.

"I think my future is here. There are a lot of rumours, they talk about a lot of clubs, but right now I'm thinking about Bayern Munich," Rodriguez said.

"When I look back at my first year at Bayern I am very happy. This year I want to win more trophies and also be a big help to the team.

"We have a team that works well together and so everything is possible. I want to win the Champions League with Bayern Munich whatever it takes."

Rodriguez signed for Madrid in the summer of 2014 amid much fanfare following his stunning performances at the World Cup in Brazil.

But after an impressive first season that saw Rodriguez score 13 goals and produce 13 assists in 29 Primera Liga matches, the Colombian's game-time was progressively reduced: 17 league starts in the 2015/16 season was followed by 13 starts in 2016/17, before securing his loan move to Bayern.

While Rodriguez's contract at Madrid runs until 2021, the midfielder is targeting a permanent switch to Bayern.

"I'm good here, and why not stay here for years? If they want me to be here, I'll be thankful with them because it's a club that put its confidence in me, so I feel all their love. Why not stay here for years? I think it's a good option," he said.

"It'd be a really good option for me to continue here. I'm good here, it's my present and I'm not going to think about anything else."

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE

Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin

Director: Shawn Levy

Rating: 3/5

Schedule:

Sept 15: Bangladesh v Sri Lanka (Dubai)

Sept 16: Pakistan v Qualifier (Dubai)

Sept 17: Sri Lanka v Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi)

Sept 18: India v Qualifier (Dubai)

Sept 19: India v Pakistan (Dubai)

Sept 20: Bangladesh v Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi) Super Four

Sept 21: Group A Winner v Group B Runner-up (Dubai) 

Sept 21: Group B Winner v Group A Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)

Sept 23: Group A Winner v Group A Runner-up (Dubai)

Sept 23: Group B Winner v Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)

Sept 25: Group A Winner v Group B Winner (Dubai)

Sept 26: Group A Runner-up v Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)

Sept 28: Final (Dubai)

Tales of Yusuf Tadros

Adel Esmat (translated by Mandy McClure)

Hoopoe

It's Monty Python's Crashing Rocket Circus

To the theme tune of the famous zany British comedy TV show, SpaceX has shown exactly what can go wrong when you try to land a rocket.

The two minute video posted on YouTube is a compilation of crashes and explosion as the company, created by billionaire Elon Musk, refined the technique of reusable space flight.

SpaceX is able to land its rockets on land  once they have completed the first stage of their mission, and is able to resuse them multiple times - a first for space flight.

But as the video, How Not to Land an Orbital Rocket Booster, demonstrates, it was a case if you fail, try and try again.

What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE

Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.