Colombian James Rodriguez Announces Retirement from International Football
Agencies3 min read
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Colombian James Rodriguez announced on Tuesday his retirement from international football with his national team, after a 15-year career in which he played 131 matches and scored 31 goals, leading "Los Cafeteros" to the 2014 World Cup quarter-finals in Brazil.
The 35-year-old Rodriguez said in a video posted on his X account: "Today I want to speak to you from the heart. After all these years, and many matches, and many moments of joy, as well as difficult times, I feel that the time has come to close one of the most important chapters of my life: my journey with the Colombian national team."
He added: "The moment has come. Thank you for every match, every joy, every tear, and every dream we shared. Defending the colors of the Colombian national team has been one of the greatest honors of my life. Thank you, Colombia, and forever."
Rodriguez played his first international match for Colombia in 2011, before becoming one of the team's most prominent players and captain.
He ended his international career with 131 matches and 31 goals, ranking second in Colombia's all-time top scorers behind Radamel Falcao.
The highlight of his international career was the 2014 World Cup, when he shone remarkably, scoring 6 goals in 5 matches, winning the Golden Boot as the tournament's top scorer, and helping Colombia reach the quarter-finals for the first time in its history.
Rodriguez also won the Puskas Award for the best goal in the world in 2014, for his famous goal against Uruguay in the round of 16, after controlling the ball with his chest before launching a powerful shot with his left foot from outside the penalty area that settled in the net.
The Colombian star participated in three World Cup editions in 2014, 2018, and 2026, and his last international match was against Switzerland in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup, when Colombia was eliminated by penalty kicks.
Rodriguez tied the record for the most appearances by Colombian players in the World Cup finals, along with Carlos Valderrama and Freddy Rincon.
Rodriguez also led the Colombian national team to the final of the 2024 Copa America, an achievement that was the country's first in the final of the competition in 23 years.
At the club level, Rodriguez recently returned to his homeland through Atletico Nacional, after leaving Minnesota United in the United States, signing a contract that extends until June 30, 2027.
During his professional career, Rodriguez had notable experiences with clubs such as Porto of Portugal, Monaco of France, Real Madrid of Spain, Bayern Munich of Germany, Everton of England, Al Rayyan of Qatar, Olympiacos of Greece, Sao Paulo of Brazil, Rayo Vallecano of Spain, Leon of Mexico, and Minnesota United of the United States.
His transfer to Real Madrid in 2014, following his brilliance at the Brazil World Cup, was the highlight of his career, where he played 125 matches for the royal club and scored 37 goals, winning two UEFA Champions League titles and two Spanish League titles with them.
With his announcement of international retirement, Rodriguez closes a page that lasted more than a decade and a half with the Colombian national team, while continuing his club career with Atletico Nacional in the Colombian league.
