James Rodriguez retires from Colombian national team

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(FILES) Colombia’s midfielder James Rodriguez waves at the crowd as he leaves the field during the 2026 FIFA World Cup South American qualification football match between Colombia and Uruguay at the Roberto Melendez Metropolitan Stadium in Barranquilla, Colombia, on October 12, 2023. Star player James Rodriguez announced on September 15, 2026, that he was retiring from the Colombian national team, a decision that brings to an end a 15-year international career in which he established himself as one of the finest footballers in the country’s history. (Photo by Raul ARBOLEDA / AFP)

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Colombian football star James Rodriguez, one of the best players in the country’s history, on Tuesday announced his retirement from the national team after 15 years and three World Cups.

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“I’m leaving with serenity because I know I gave absolutely everything,” the 35-year-old captain said in a social media video, his eyes welling with tears.

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Rodriguez powered himself and his country to stardom at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, when Los Cafeteros made the quarter-finals for the first time.

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He won the tournament’s Golden Boot as the top scorer and became a global superstar.

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Despite a nomadic and largely ineffective club career in recent years, he remained an integral part of the Colombia side which reached the Copa America final two years ago.

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But at this year’s World Cup he failed to score any goals and was outshone by team-mate Luis Diaz of Bayern Munich.

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Last week, the former Real Madrid midfielder joined Colombian side Atletico Nacional.

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