James Rodríguez retires from Colombia after 15-year international career
The 35-year-old midfielder leaves the national team after 131 reported appearances, 31 goals and a defining 2014 World Cup campaign.
James Rodríguez has announced his retirement from Colombia’s men’s national football team after 15 years, saying he believed the time had come to close a chapter of his life.
Rodríguez made his senior debut in October 2011 and recently signed with Atlético Nacional after a long club career abroad. He said wearing Colombia’s shirt had been both a dream and an “enormous responsibility”.
His most prominent international performance came at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, where he scored six goals in five matches and won the tournament’s Golden Boot. The campaign led to a move to Real Madrid, where he spent six seasons and won two La Liga titles.
Rodríguez also played for Bayern Munich and Everton, followed by spells at clubs including Olympiakos, São Paulo, Rayo Vallecano, Club León and Minnesota United. Fox Sports, reporting by The Associated Press, said he finishes his Colombia career with 31 goals in 131 appearances.
The report said Rodríguez also played at the 2018 and 2026 World Cups and captained Colombia to the 2024 Copa América final. He said he left the national team with peace of mind, having given everything to the jersey.
