James Rodriguez, the captain of the Colombian national team, has announced his departure from the squad following a lengthy tenure. He was one of the best players in the national team throughout his amazing 15-year period with La Tricolor.
On September 15, 2026, at the age of 35, he made the announcement. Wearing the No. 10 shirt, the striker had 131 caps and 31 goals for his country.
He was one of Colombia’s best players in a number of competitions, including the 2014 FIFA World Cup, where he scored six goals and earned the Golden Boot.
In that competition, he also assisted Colombia in making it to the quarterfinals. Even before the most recent World Cup, which took place a few months ago in 2026, he was outstanding in both the 2014 and 2018 competitions.
Additionally, he participated in four CONMEBOL Copa América tournaments and advanced to the final in the United States in 2024. He set a record most assists in a single edition and was voted the tournament’s Best Player in his final appearance.
In four CONMEBOL Copa América editions—2015, 2016, 2019, and 2024—the Colombian No. 10 participated. James had his last competition debut in the United States in 2024, where he was named the tournament’s Best Player and Colombia advanced to the Final.
In 2015, he participated in his first CONMEBOL Copa AméricaTM in Chile, where Colombia made it to the quarterfinals before losing to Argentina on penalties.
He participated in the CONMEBOL Copa América Centenario 2016TM, which took place in the US, a year later. After defeating the hosts in the third-place game, La Tricolor came in third.
James represents Colombia one more at Brazil 2019. After winning three games in the Group Stage, the team lost to Chile on penalties once more in the Quarterfinals.
At the CONMEBOL Copa América 2024TM, when Colombia advanced to the Final, the midfield player made his fourth and final appearance. In a Tricolor shirt, he gave one of his best performances.
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According to information given by Opta, James Rodriguez participated in 20 games during the campaign, scoring three goals and dishing out nine assists. With a 79% passing accuracy, the midfield player also recorded 47 shots and 55 passes that resulted in a shot.
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Eleven of his twenty tournament games resulted in Colombian victory. According to Opta data, James is also the Colombian player with the most assists in the CONMEBOL Copa AméricaTM since 2013. One of the high points of James Rodriguez’s competition career was the 2024 edition held in the United States.
As captain of Colombia, he played a crucial role in a team that won its group, defeated Uruguay in the semifinals, and defeated Panama in the quarterfinals.
After the 1975 and 2001 editions, La Tricolor made it to the CONMEBOL Copa América Final for the third time in its existence.
In the decisive match, played at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Argentina won 1-0 thanks to a Lautaro Martínez goal in extra time.
James finished the tournament with six assists, a record for a single edition of the competition, and was named the Best Player of the CONMEBOL Copa América 2024.
His final continental appearance ended with Colombia as runners-up and with the tournament’s top individual award.
James Rodríguez’s retirement follows the departures of Lionel Messi and Neymar from the Argentina and Brazil national teams, respectively, also announced in 2026. The three players featured in different editions of the CONMEBOL Copa América™ and represented their countries during a generation defined by some of South America’s biggest football stars.
James said farewell with four appearances, 20 matches, three goals and nine assists. His final edition, in 2024, ended with Colombia finishing as runners-up and James being named the tournament’s Best Player.