James Rodriguez dismisses claims that the 2026 World Cup will mark the end of a long career, insisting retirement is not planned yet after a strong impact for Minnesota United, where two assists against Austin FC underlined that James Rodriguez still believes there are more seasons ahead.
The Colombia playmaker came on as a substitute against Austin FC and created both goals in a 2-2 draw, registering a fifth MLS appearance for Minnesota United, as James Rodriguez continues adapting to life in the United States after a recent spell with Leon in Mexico.
Reports from Colombia suggested James Rodriguez could quit playing after the 2026 World Cup, but James Rodriguez rejected that idea following Minnesota United’s draw with Austin, stating that talk around retirement is misleading and has not come from James Rodriguez at any stage.
“I don’t know who said that, I think it was in Colombia to get views, to get likes.”
James Rodriguez is preparing for a third World Cup finals with Colombia after leading the CONMEBOL qualifiers in assists, finishing that campaign with seven, while James Rodriguez again becomes central to Colombia’s attacking plans heading toward the 2026 tournament in North America.
James Rodriguez built a major World Cup reputation in 2014, when James Rodriguez claimed the Golden Boot at the Brazil tournament, scoring six times across five matches as Colombia advanced to the quarter-finals for the first and only time in the national team’s history.
The current Minnesota United deal for James Rodriguez is a short-term contract that ends before the 2026 World Cup, and although the MLS club holds an option to extend until the close of that year, James Rodriguez is not expected to remain once the tournament finishes.
“I think they should inform themselves a bit more about all these things. The only person who will know how long I want to play, I think, is me. I’m going to say with plenty of time in advance, but right now I think I have a few more years. All those things theyre saying, I think are false. I think it’s bad for the whole country, for fans because they believe things that aren’t true, and for me, of course. I’ve never said that.”
James Rodriguez therefore continues the MLS season with Minnesota United while looking toward a third World Cup, and the comments from James Rodriguez indicate a desire to extend a high-level career beyond 2026, despite speculation from elsewhere about possible retirement plans.
Story first published: Tuesday, May 12, 2026, 1:26 [IST]
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