James Rodríguez talks career plans after starring in MLS
James served up two assists in Minnesota’s MLS draw with Austin at the weekend, before addressing speculation over his future.
James Rodríguez excelled for Minnesota United against Austin FC on Sunday, delivering two assists in just 30 minutes on the field. After the 2-2 MLS draw, the Colombian star spoke about his performance, emphasizing that he’s always ready to contribute because of his commitment to training and taking care of his body.
“The only person who knows how long I’ll play is me”
“For moments like these, I train - I train well,” Rodríguez said. “I take it day by day, and when you get minutes, you have to be ready. Whether it’s 20, 30, or 40 minutes, you’ve got to be prepared to help. It slipped away from us at the end, but I think the team is moving in the right direction.”
The 34-year-old midfielder also addressed recent speculation about his future, making it clear that he still intends to keep playing and that he alone will decide when it’s time to step away from the game.
“I don’t know who said that - probably just looking for views - but people should be better informed about those things,” Rodríguez declared. “The only person who knows how long I’ll play is me, and I’ll say it well in advance. I believe I still have a couple more years left. Those rumors are false and they hurt the country and the fans, because people start believing things that aren’t true - and it affects me too, because I’ve never said that.”
James and Colombia’s pre-World Cup plans
Finally, James revealed when he will report for duty with the Colombian national team, confirming he’ll link up with the squad next week.
“I’ll join the national team on May 17, so next week,” he said. “Of course, I’m thinking about what’s ahead. I’m at a certain age and have to look toward the future, which I believe will be positive. Every day I train well, I take good care of my body, and I always have to be ready.”
James and Minnesota face Colorado Rapids on May 13. He’ll then travel to Colombia to join the training camp organized by the federation, which begins on May 15. Los Cafeteros are scheduled to play a farewell match against Costa Rica in Bogotá on May 29, followed by a final tournament tuneup against Jordan in San Diego, California, on June 7.
Drawn in Group K, the Colombians kick off their 2026 World Cup campaign on June 17, taking on Uzbekistan at Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca.
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