from the United States confirm that he will leave Minnesota next week
One month before the start of the 2026 World Cup, the future of James Rodríguez is –one more time– an unknown The captain of the The Colombian National Team decided, in February of this year, to go to Minnesota United of the MLS eager about adapting and attending to know the situations by which a big a part of the North American World Cup will be performed, which begins on June 11 and will go till July 19.
However, James’ time in United States soccer didn’t go as anticipated. The Athletic journal, a sports activities complement of the New York Times, confirmed that the 34-year-old Colombian midfielder will not proceed in the Minnesota United of the MLS and that, despite having a contract until June 30, the man from Cucuta would leave Minneapolis next Wednesday, May 13, after the duel between his team and Colorado.
The intention of the Colombian soccer participant, in keeping with the press in the United States, is to journey to the nation to affix the camp that the nationwide group will maintain, beginning on May 15, to organize for his or her participation in the World Cup, to which they return after not having certified for Qatar 2022.
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What occurred to James Rodríguez in Minnesota?
James’ arrival at Minnseota United generated expectations. The Colombian soccer participant, who’s near turning 35, will not be solely a gifted participant: he can be a world star, a public determine. In the minds of all fuboleros is the efficiency he confirmed in the 2014 Brazil World Cup with the Colombian National Team, when he was the match’s prime scorer and joined Real Madrid; in addition to what he did in the 2024 Copa América, the place he “revived” from the ashes and ended up being the finest participant of the match.
For this motive, the administrators of the membership that performs in Minneapolis welcomed investing in the arrival of the Creole soccer participant: not solely did he contribute to the group, however he additionally gave them advertising and marketing, title, and worldwide press. For James it was additionally a superb transfer: in 6 months, as has been mentioned, he would earn a wage shut to five million {dollars} with out being the franchise participant – the seen face – of the membership.
Furthermore, it was thought that he would have the ability to put together nicely for the World Cup: it was assumed that he would add minutes, consistency and, moreover, he had no direct competitors in the place by which he performs. However, coach Cameron Knowles always had reservations with the arrival of Rodríguez. From his first statements associated to the topic, he acknowledged that the Colombian needed to earn the place and that, as well as, he knew that James’ precedence was to organize for the World Cup, not compete for his membership.
For this motive, and due to the lack of aggressive rhythm that he introduced – he had not performed since November 2025, regardless of having been coaching alone in Colombia between December and January – it took greater than a month to present him his first minutes together with his group. James debuted for Minnesota United on March 15, in the Vancouver Whutecaps’ 6-0 win over his group in Canada.
After that there was extra concern than soccer: there was discuss the minutes he might add earlier than the pleasant video games in Colombia in March and, in the finish, he arrived with out rhythm. He didn’t play nicely with the nationwide group and, after struggling a bout of extreme dehydration, he was hospitalized in the United States: he misplaced extra rhythm and bodily tone. What had recovered, retreated.
On April 14, nearly a month after his debut, Rodríguez returned to play. He did it in the victory towards Sacramento Republic for the United States Cup. That day, the Colombian was the starter. He was once more in the duel between his group and Los Angeles FC, which passed off on April 25 in Minneapolis. That day the Colombian had an impressive efficiency, however his group misplaced in the solely duel that, till now, didn’t begin on the substitute bench.
What will occur to the way forward for James Rodríguez?
James Rodríguez, who’s amongst these known as up for Minnesota to face Austin this Sunday (6:00 pm), has solely performed 6 video games with the American membership. Of them, 4 have been for the MLS and the remaining two for the United States Cup. He nonetheless hasn’t added any objectives or assists. He has solely performed 183 minutes.
Therefore, his future stays unknown. Some journalistic variations have indicated that the footballer, who will flip 35 on July 12, will retire from skilled soccer. If so, the launch of the documentary that will premiere on Netflix on May 21 would make sense. However, nothing is confirmed.
Meanwhile, the famend journalist Fabrizio Romano, an professional in the switch market, assured that the footballer will stay a free agent after the World Cup to barter with a membership. We will have to attend for an official communication. However, the half yr earlier than the World Cup has been a rollercoaster of feelings for the captain of the nationwide group.