COLOMBIA'S GREAT JAMES RODRIGUEZ RETIRES

James Rodriguez, Colombia’s captain and highest capped player, has confirmed his retirement from international football.

The 35-year-old made 131 appearances for the South American nation, whom he represented at four World Cups including this summer’s finals in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

“The moment has arrived,” Rodriguez posted on his Instagram account, confirming his retirement from the national side.

“Thank you for every match, every moment of joy, every tear, and every shared dream. Defending the colors of the Colombian national team was one of the greatest honors of my life.

“Thank you, Colombia. Forever.”

He did not win any silverware with Colombia, but did help them reach the Copa America final in 2024 having record a third-place finish eight years earlier. Perhaps most memorably was his starring role in the nation’s run to the World Cup quarter-final stage in 2014, when they lost to host nation Brazil. Rodriguez won the Golden Boot for that tournament.

Rodriguez also made 125 appearances for Real Madrid and won the Champions League twice with the Spanish club after he joined from Monaco in 2014 following a World Cup where he finished as the tournament’s top goalscorer.

- Authors: Felipe Cardenas and Colin Millar, The New York Times 

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