Colombian star James Rodríguez, crowned Best Player of the 2024 Copa América, has become the marquee signing for Club León ahead of the 2025 season. The attacking midfielder arrives as a high-profile figure, not only to lead the team in Liga MX but also to play a pivotal role in the Club World Cup, scheduled to take place from June 14 to July 13, featuring 32 teams.

A Boost of Quality and International Experience

James, the top scorer at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, brings unparalleled vision, creativity, and a knack for scoring and assisting goals. At 33 years old, his extensive experience with clubs like Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Everton, and, most recently, Rayo Vallecano, will be critical for León’s aspirations to compete at the highest level.

Though his stint at Rayo was brief and lackluster—managing just 203 minutes across seven games—James is eager to find stability with León after short-lived tenures at Al-Rayyan, Olympiacos, and São Paulo.

A Dream Duo with Andrés Guardado

In León’s locker room, James will join forces with another seasoned veteran: Mexican legend Andrés Guardado, who came out of retirement in 2024. This combination of talent and experience is expected to provide leadership for a squad with an average age of 26.6 years.

Beyond the financial appeal, James was attracted to León by the ambitious project of Argentine coach Eduardo Berizzo, who is shaping the team to compete at an elite level in both Liga MX and the Club World Cup.

Highly Anticipated Debut

James could make his debut for León this Saturday against Atlas, during Matchday 2 of the Clausura 2025. The "Panzas Verdes" aim to kick off their campaign strong after postponing their opening match against Pachuca to February 5. Fans are hopeful that James will rediscover his best form, bringing leadership and consistency to a team striving to make its mark both in Mexico and on the international stage.