James Rodríguez is preparing for MLS as a big step towards the 2026 World Cup.

The future of Colombian star James Rodríguez is set to take an exciting turn, with rumors growing about a possible transfer to Major League Soccer (MLS), specifically to Columbus Crew. The former Real Madrid player, who left León in Mexico, is determined to stay in shape as he prepares for the much-anticipated 2026 World Cup. Initially, James planned to continue in Liga MX, but it now seems that his next adventure will be in the United States.

Since leaving Real Madrid at the end of 2020, James’s career has been marked by a series of changes. The Colombian international has played for clubs such as Everton, Al-Rayyan, Olympiacos, São Paulo, and Rayo Vallecano. During his time at León, he made 34 appearances, scored five goals, and provided nine assists. Now, according to Marca, Columbus Crew is in advanced negotiations to secure his signing, even facing uncertainty as they are without a coach following Wilfried Nancy’s departure to Celtic.

James is not just an option for Crew; Orlando City has also shown interest, and there have been links with Santos, although the Brazilian club has denied any intention to sign the star. With 122 international caps for Colombia, James is aiming for his participation in the 2026 World Cup, where he dreams of bringing the trophy to his home country. Approaching 35 years old, this may be his last opportunity to win a major international title, as he has only been a runner-up in the Copa América and has not lifted a trophy since the Colombian U-20 team won the Toulon Tournament in 2011.

“Playing in the World Cup is always a great joy. Now, at 34 years old, I feel it’s even more special because time passes for everyone. I am very motivated for this World Cup. We are all on the same path. With the team we have, we can face anyone because we are a great team. We are fighting for big goals. A World Cup, and we want to win it,” declared James.

The Colombian has already made a name for himself in previous World Cups, especially in the 2014 tournament, where he scored the most beautiful goal, a fantastic long-range volley that earned him the Puskas Award. Additionally, he won the Golden Boot by scoring six goals during Colombia’s campaign, which reached the quarter-finals before being eliminated by Brazil. After that defeat, James was emotional, stating that “a great team was born,” although the Colombian national team has faced difficulties since then, including failing to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Currently, James remains a central figure in Colombia’s plans, having participated in all qualifying matches, scoring against Argentina and Bolivia, and providing assists in games against Argentina, Chile, and Brazil. He also played a significant role in the 2024 Copa America, where Colombia reached the final but was overcome by Lionel Messi’s team after extra time.

For the upcoming World Cup, Colombia already knows two of its opponents in the group stage: Uzbekistan and Portugal, along with a third, which will be one of the following: New Caledonia, Jamaica, or the Democratic Republic of the Congo, depending on the winner of the playoff. But before anything else, James hopes to find a new club, with Columbus Crew at the forefront of negotiations.

If James manages to sign with the Crew, he will join stars like Messi and Son Heung-min in MLS, which continues to elevate its profile on the global stage. Undoubtedly, James’ signing would be a major coup for the Crew, as well as for Orlando, should they manage to realize their interest. The anticipation is in the air, and fans can hardly wait to see where the Colombian talent will shine next.