Nearly two decades after leaving Colombia as a teenager to chase his football dreams abroad, James Rodríguez is coming home.
Atlético Nacional has announced the signing of the Colombian midfielder on a free transfer, bringing one of the country’s most celebrated footballers back to his homeland. Rodríguez, 35, has signed a contract with the club through June 30, 2027.
The move marks a remarkable homecoming for a player whose career has taken him around the world. Rodríguez left Colombia at just 16 years old in 2008 to join Argentina’s Banfield before embarking on a journey that included stops with Porto, AS Monaco, Real Madrid and several other clubs across 12 countries.
Rodríguez became a global superstar at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, where he captured the Golden Boot after scoring six goals for Colombia. His unforgettable volley against Uruguay became one of the tournament’s defining moments and helped earn him a blockbuster €75 million move to Real Madrid.
While injuries and inconsistency prevented Rodríguez from consistently reaching those same heights at the club level, his legacy with Colombia remains firmly established. He has earned 131 international caps and collected 25 club trophies throughout his career.
Most recently, Rodríguez played in Major League Soccer with Minnesota United.
Now, after years of playing on some of the biggest stages in world football, Rodríguez returns to the country where it all began.
His arrival at Atlético Nacional gives Colombian football another opportunity to see one of its most recognizable stars play at home — and adds another chapter to a career that has already taken him from South America to the global spotlight and back again.
