James Rodriguez has announced his retirement from international football at 35, ending a 15-year Colombia career that established him as one of the country’s most recognisable footballers.
The Colombian star confirmed in a goodbye video to his fans at home that he wanted to end his career with the national team, having played 131 times for the country since his debut in 2011.
The midfielder’s standout moment on the international stage was his performance in the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Rodriguez was a key figure in Colombia’s run to the quarter-finals and had some great moments during the tournament. He concluded the tournament with six goals, which earned him the World Cup Golden Boot and a popular reputation for his attacking inventiveness and technical brilliance.
Rodriguez recalled fondly his time with Colombia and thanked fans for following him on his international journey. Rodriguez said, “Thank you for each match, each joy, each tear and each dream that we shared.” Being a member of the Colombia national football team was one of the greatest honours in my life.” With 131 caps, he was one of the most experienced international players in Colombia, and his impact went beyond the numbers. His World Cup campaign in 2014 will go down in the annals of football history.
Although there were some wobbling spells in his club career, Rodriguez still had a significant role in Colombia’s international campaign during other World Cups and tournaments. His departure at the age of 35 marks the end of an era for a player, who was a standout figure for the national side with his left foot, vision and goalscoring ability.
Now Colombia will face a new era without one of the most influential players in the modern era. The goodbye marks a chapter in Rodriguez’ career that was marked by 131 caps, significant tournaments and a profound bond with Colombian football fans.
