World Cup top scorer James Rodriguez is set to join MLS.
Former Real Madrid star James Rodriguez is close to agreeing a move to Columbus Crew, promising to add significant appeal to Major League Soccer (MLS).
The American soccer transfer market is poised to welcome another star. According to Marca, midfielder James Rodriguez is likely to move to Major League Soccer (MLS) in the near future, with Columbus Crew being the most likely destination.
Columbus Crew leads the race to sign James Rodriguez.
Journalist Oscar Orstos reports that Columbus Crew is working to finalize the signing of the Colombian star. This move comes as the team is temporarily without a head coach after Wilfried Nancy left to manage Celtic. Besides Columbus Crew, Orlando City is also reportedly showing significant interest in the 1991-born midfielder, while Santos has denied the rumors.
His adventurous journey and current form
Since leaving Real Madrid at the end of 2020, James Rodriguez has had a rather turbulent playing career across several continents. He played for Everton (England), Al Rayyan (Qatar), Olympiacos (Greece), Sao Paulo (Brazil), and Rayo Vallecano (Spain), before moving to Mexico to join Leon FC.
Wearing the Liga MX jersey, James proved his class with 34 appearances, contributing 5 goals and 9 assists. This was an important foundation for him to maintain his form before seeking a new challenge in the American soccer environment.
The aspiration for the 2026 World Cup and the legacy of the national team.
At the international level, James Rodriguez remains an irreplaceable pillar of the Colombian national team with 122 appearances. He is aiming to participate in the 2026 World Cup, his last major tournament as he reaches the age of 35. His most recent achievement with Los Cafeteros was finishing as runners-up in the 2024 Copa America.
James's career peaked at the 2014 World Cup, where he won the Golden Boot with 6 goals and the Puskas Award for the best goal of the tournament. Currently, the Colombian national team has identified its opponents in the 2026 World Cup group stage, including Uzbekistan, Portugal, and a team from the play-off round (New Caledonia, Jamaica, or the Democratic Republic of Congo).
The influence of MLS on the world football map.
If the deal goes through, James Rodriguez will join the ranks of superstars creating immense appeal for MLS, such as Lionel Messi and Son Heung-min. Recruiting a star like James would not only be significant from a professional standpoint for Columbus Crew but would also affirm the league's growing status as a magnet for world-class players.
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