James Rodríguez is ending his stint with Minnesota United, the MLS club that took him in just before the World Cup. The Colombian playmaker arrived on a six-month contract with a possible extension, but it was always clear his stay would be brief. After leaving Club León in 2025, the national team icon needed a team where he could gain match fitness and prepare physically for what is likely his last World Cup appearance with Colombia.
While there have been rumors of retirement after the tournament, James himself has dismissed those claims, hinting that he plans to continue playing professionally beyond United 2026.
Fabrizio Romano confirmed Rodríguez’s departure from Minnesota United, which will be finalized after their league match against Colorado Rapids. Following that MLS game, James will report to the Colombian national team for a pre-World Cup training camp. Minnesota knew from the start that his time would be short—currently, his only goal is to finish his club career on a high note for Colombia.
Still, his stint in the United States was even shorter than expected. His physical condition prevented him from being fully fit, and he played only seven matches, having joined in February when preseason was already underway.
James will arrive at the World Cup with fewer than 300 minutes played this season, a worrying sign. While he has always performed for Colombia, his recent displays against Croatia and France were poor. In those friendlies, both losses, he was substituted around the 63rd minute, and his individual level was widely criticized.
With Minnesota, the Colombian icon seemed to regain some rhythm toward the end of his spell, recording two assists in his most recent game—a draw against Austin FC that marked his farewell. To date, this U.S. stint has been the shortest club spell of his entire career.
Days ago, Pipe Sierra reported that James is considering retirement after the World Cup, calling it one of the most likely options. However, when asked about it, James denied the claim, adding that he plans to play for a couple more seasons. The reality is that his club options are narrowing, as fewer professional teams are willing to sign him.
After leaving Club León, Rodríguez took nearly two months to find a team, and the MLS was his last resort. Playing in Colombia’s Liga BetPlay remains a distant dream for fans, but it has never been a realistic option for the playmaker, despite Interest from Junior FC before his move to León.
