A few days after Nestor Lorenzo present your first call after the World Cup 2026, his captain announced his retirement of the Colombia National Team putting an end to a stage that It started back in 2011..
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James Rodriguez Photo:National Athletic
To the cucuteño, who started a new adventure in Colombia after sign with Atlético Nacionalthe day came that he never expected: say goodbye to the National Teamto the team that he loves so much and to which defended in 131 games and with which scored 31 goals and gave 43 assists.
James marked a great stage in the Selection
To his 35 years old closed a stage in his life to make way for the new generations, and so he wanted to highlight it in the video that published on his social networks for announce his retirement.
James Rodriguez Photo:AFP
One of his best moments in the National Team was in World Cup Brazil 2014where made the world fall in love with football with his talent. Finished as top scorer of the world cup, won the Golden Boot and his goal against Uruguay was classified as the best of that edition.
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James Rodríguez (right), on the day of his debut with the senior team. Photo:AFP
Also was in the 2018 World Cup in Russiabut failed to be unbalanced for physical problems. Also lived moments of turbulence years later after the passage of Carlos Queiroz and Reinaldo Rueda on the bench.
Connection James-Lorenzo
Since the arrival of Nestor Lorenzo to the position of coach became the big star again of Colombia. He led the team in 2024 for reach that final of America’s Cup that was lost against Argentina.
James Rodriguez Photo:AFP
For months now His retirement from the Colombian National Team was looming on the horizon. After qualifying in the match against Bolivia, he sat in the middle of the field of game looking at the horizon in the Metropolitan stadium of Barranquilla.
Her last dance with the national cast was in the World Cup 2026. He didn’t have the best of performances, but managed to say goodbye to the National Team in a World Cup.
James Rodríguez against Portugal Photo:AFP
words of James Rodriguez
Today I want to speak to you from the heart. After many years, many games, many joys and also hard moments, I feel like it’s time to close one of the most important stages of my life, my path with Colombia National Team.
Wearing this shirt was a dreambut also an enormous responsibility. Every time I entered a court I understood that not only played for me, I played for my familymy colleagues and for millions of Colombians who they dreamed of us.
I was fortunate to live moments that I never imagined, World Cups, goals, unforgettable nights, victories that they made believe and defeats that made even stronger. All that it marked me forever.
Since I arrived at the National Team I had a thought very clear, that the day I left I must have felt like leaving this shirt much higher than I found it. I wanted to contributewanted to leave a markhelp Colombia believed it could compete against anyone. Today, looking at the path traveled, I feel like I got it.
It wasn’t just mineit was from a complete generationfrom many colleagues and from an entire country that dreamed big again.
I had the honor of wearing the number 10 shirt and also the captain’s ribbon. Always I tried to do it with respectwith responsibility and understanding what it meant representing Colombia.
There were good days and some very difficult ones.but I never stopped feeling proud for those colors.
I want to thank each colleague with which I shared this pathto the coaches, technical bodies and all the people who They were part of the selection during these years. Each left something in my story.
Also I want to thank my familythey They were in every gameevery trip, every joy and every complicated moment. Many times they were my strength when things weren’t easy, especially Salome and Samuel.
Many times I played for themwhen I was tired, when there was pressure, when things didn’t go the way I wanted. Thinking about them has always given me one more reason to be able to continue.
Always I wanted them to feel proud of his father, not only for the goals or the victories, but for having defended his country with love, respect and dedication.
To all Colombiathank you! Thanks for support me for so many yearsfor celebrating with me, for suffering with me, for demanding me, for supporting me and for make me feel your love in every corner of the world.
I know that new generations comenew players, new dreams. Them I wish you the best. That always understand the privilege what does it mean wear that shirt and? defend it with your soul.
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