Colombian soccer icon James Rodriguez has retired from international play at 35, ending a distinguished 15-year career with the national team.
"Thank you for every match, every moment of joy and every tear, and every dream we shared," Rodriguez said in a video posted on social media Wednesday. "Wearing the Colombian national team jersey and representing my country was the greatest honor of my life."
Rodriguez made his senior international debut in 2011 and went on to captain Colombia, recording 31 goals and 43 assists in 131 appearances.
He represented Colombia at three World Cups and four Copa America tournaments.
His breakthrough as a global star came at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Rodriguez scored six goals in five matches to lead Colombia to the quarterfinals and claim the Golden Boot as the tournament's top scorer.
His left-footed volley against Uruguay in the round of 16 also earned him FIFA's Puskas Award for the best goal of the year.
His final appearance for Colombia came in July, when the team lost to Switzerland on penalties in the round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup in North America.
After spells with Portugal's Porto and France's Monaco, Rodriguez joined Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid following his performances at the 2014 World Cup. He spent four seasons with the club, winning two Champions League titles and two Spanish league titles, among other honors.
He later played for Germany's Bayern Munich and England's Everton. After a stint with Minnesota United in Major League Soccer, he recently signed with Colombia's Atletico Nacional through next June.
(This article was produced with the assistance of AI. — Ed.)
