It was practically a matter of time before James Rodríguez's departure from Rayo Vallecano was finalized. He never found his place there, but he also never stopped doing what he was supposed to do as the professional footballer that he is.

The Colombian's exit from the Madrid-based team has now been made official. According to various sources, the Colombian international waived a portion of his contract, which would have lasted until June 30, when his contract expired. This contract was worth over a million dollars gross.

Why did James leave Rayo Vallecano?

One of the Colombian's main goals was to return to Madrid, and although it wasn't with Real Madrid (the biggest team in the Spanish capital), he did so with Rayo, hoping to regain his best form in one of the most demanding competitions in the world.

But as time passed, the plans changed. Neither James could shine, nor did his coach yield to his position of keeping him away from activity, despite the undeniable talent of the number "10."

James's arrival at the club was a gamble from the president that never convinced Íñigo Pérez, who chose not to take advantage of the Colombian's technical qualities, prioritizing a more defensive setup instead.

What James leaves behind at Rayo Vallecano

The Colombian forward departs the team with seven official appearances, one assist in the Copa del Rey. His performance is far from what he could have given had he played more minutes. Now, he will seek new challenges to get back to the level he desires in preparation for the 2026 World Cup.