As another chapter of James Rodriguez's storied career begins, a far longer one comes to a close. The Colombian playmaker is retiring from international play.
Rodriguez joined Atlético Nacional, one of the largest clubs in his native country, last week but announced Tuesday, Sept. 15 that he will no longer suit up for the Cafeteros.
"Today I want to speak to you all from the heart. After many years, many matches, many joys and also difficult moments I feel the time has come to close one of the most important stages of my life: My journey with the Colombia national team," Rodriguez said in a video posted to social media. "Putting on this shirt was a dream but also an enormous responsibility. Every time I went onto a field, I understood I didn’t
just play for myself. I played for my family, my teammates and millions of Colombians who dreamed with us."
Llegó el momento. 🇨🇴
— James Rodríguez (@jamesdrodriguez) September 15, 2026
Gracias por cada partido, cada alegría, cada lágrima y cada sueño compartido.
Defender los colores de la selección Colombia fue uno de los mayores honores de mi vida.
Gracias, Colombia. Para siempre. 💛💙❤️ pic.twitter.com/AlRxMgtFeI
Rodriguez debuted for the national team in 2011 and made 131 appearances, including earning time in each of Colombia's matches at the 2026 World Cup. The team fell to Switzerland in a shootout in the round of 16.
His most notable moments in the nation's iconic yellow shirt came at the 2014 World Cup, when he was the top scorer in the competition with six goals and helped Colombia to the quarterfinals where they were eliminated by hosts Brazil.
But despite struggles at the club level, he also enjoyed a resurgence with the national team in 2024, earning best player honors at the Copa América with six assists and a goal pushing Colombia to the final.
Rodriguez's 2014 World Cup helped him earn a move to Real Madrid, but he struggled to match the heights he reached with the national team at the club level and despite some bright moments bounced around to a number of clubs after his time with Los Blancos, playing in Qatar, Greece and Brazil among other stops.
Before joining Atlético Nacional, Rodriguez had signed with Minnesota United on a short term deal with the option to extend after the World Cup. Instead, he hopes to once again delight fans in his home country, though he'll no longer be doing it with the national team.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: James Rodriguez retires from Colombia national team after iconic World Cup career
