Colombia icon James Rodríguez announces international retirement with touching statement

Former Real Madrid and Bayern Munich star James Rodríguez has announced his decision to retire from international soccer.

The 35-year-old will go down as one of Colombia’s all-time greats, having made a record 131 appearances and scored 31 goals (five shy of Radamel Falcao‘s benchmark). Rodríguez’s decision to step aside follows this summer’s FIFA World Cup – the third of his career – in which he helped Colombia reach the Round of 16, where they lost to Switzerland on penalties.

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Rodríguez shared his decision via social media, posting a three and a half minute long video reflecting on his international career. He captioned the video, “The moment has arrived. Thank you for every match, every joy, every tear, and every dream shared.

“Defending the colors of the Colombia national team was one of the greatest honors of my life. Thank you, Colombia. Forever.”

In the clip itself, the Atlético Nacional attacker addressed the camera as clips from throughout his memorable international career were played, with the 2014 World Cup Golden Boot winner saying, via online translation, “Today, I want to speak to you from the heart. After many years, many matches, many moments of joy—and tough times, too—I feel the moment has come to close one of the most important chapters of my life: my journey with the Colombian National Team.

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“Wearing that jersey was a dream, but also an enormous responsibility. Every time I stepped onto the pitch, I understood that I wasn’t playing just for myself; I was playing for my family, for my teammates, and for millions of Colombians who shared our dreams.

“I was fortunate enough to experience moments I never imagined: World Cups, goals, unforgettable nights, victories that made us believe, and defeats that made us even stronger. All of that left a lasting mark on me.

“From the moment I joined the National Team, I had one clear goal: that the day I left, I would feel I had elevated the status of that jersey beyond where I found it. I wanted to contribute, to leave a legacy, and to help Colombia believe it could compete against anyone.

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“Today, looking back at the path I’ve traveled, I feel I achieved that. It wasn’t just my achievement; it belonged to an entire generation, to many teammates, and to a whole country that dared to dream big again.

“I had the honor of wearing the number 10 jersey and the captain’s armband. I always strove to do so with respect and responsibility, fully understanding what it meant to represent Colombia. There were good days and very difficult ones, but I never stopped feeling proud of those colors.

“I want to thank every teammate who shared this journey with me, as well as the coaches, technical staff, and everyone who was part of the National Team over the years. Each of them played a part in my story. I also want to thank my family. They were there for every match, every trip, every moment of joy, and every difficult time. Often, they were my source of strength when things weren’t easy.

“A special thanks to my children, Salomé and Samuel. I often played for them—when I was tired, when there was pressure, and when things didn’t go the way I wanted. Thinking of them always gave me another reason to keep going. I always wanted them to be proud of their dad—not just for the goals or the victories, but for having defended my country with love, respect, and total commitment.

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“To all of Colombia: thank you. Thank you for standing by me for so many years. Thank you for celebrating with me, for sharing in the tough times, for challenging me, for supporting me, and for making me feel your affection in every corner of the globe.

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“I know new generations, new players, and new dreams are on the horizon. I wish them the very best. May they always understand the privilege of wearing that jersey and defend it with all their heart and soul. I leave with peace of mind, knowing I gave it absolutely everything. Thank you for every memory, every hug, and every moment. Thank you so much, Colombia National Team, and thank you, Colombia.”