Jese Rodriguez (foto: Official TW/IG/FB account)
Former Real Madrid and PSG forward Jese Rodriguez has opened up about his time in Paris, where he endured four frustrating years that included limited playing opportunities and multiple loan spells.
In a candid interview with YouTube channel Mowlihawk, Jese questioned the motives of PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, even suggesting personal dynamics may have played a role in his struggles.
Jese, 31, joined PSG in 2016 for €25 million after limited playing time at Real Madrid. Despite being part of the squad that achieved significant success, including 94 appearances and 18 goals for the Spanish giants, Jese sought a new challenge under then-PSG manager Unai Emery.
“If I wanted, I could have stayed in Madrid, but PSG appeared. I didn’t have much playing time, so I went to Paris. Plus, Unai Emery invited me,” Jese explained. He acknowledged the allure of higher wages, stating, “I remember the first time I saw a million in my account. I thought: ‘Wow, do you get this for scoring goals?’”
Jese’s career at PSG never gained momentum, with the Spaniard making only 18 appearances and scoring two goals. He spent most of his tenure on loan at clubs like Las Palmas, Stoke City, Real Betis, and Sporting CP.
Reflecting on his time at the French club, Jese said: “They treated me badly. It helped me understand how Real Madrid is the best club in the world. I made my debut for PSG, assisted to win, but then I was out for two months because of appendicitis. When winter came, I told Emery I felt cheated.”
The situation deteriorated further, with Jese claiming the club’s Qatari ownership, led by Nasser Al-Khelaifi, ignored him. “The president did not want to see me. I don’t know if he liked my wife more than I did. They didn’t give me an explanation. I suffered a lot,” Jese revealed.
He described his frustration with the club’s culture, saying: “I felt like I was dealing with a billionaire who treats his toys as if they were expendable game pieces.”
Jese’s wife, Aurah Ruiz, a Spanish influencer with 656,000 Instagram followers, has also been a notable part of his journey. Their public appearances and her online presence often draw attention, but Jese’s struggles at PSG seem to have cast a shadow over those years.
After leaving PSG, Jese has continued his football journey, most recently signing with Malaysian club Johor DT in 2023, hoping to revive his career in a new environment.