James Rodríguez Arrives in MLS to Challenge Messi’s Reign
James Rodríguez joins MLS: Signs with Minnesota United
Minnesota United announced on Friday the signing of Colombian James Rodríguez, who had been a free agent after leaving Club León in Mexico last November. The attacking midfielder will remain with the U.S. club until June 2026, with an option to extend the contract until the end of the season, the team confirmed on X (formerly Twitter).
James Rodríguez aiming for game time ahead of the World Cup
The signing will allow the former Porto, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich star to stay match-fit ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Rodríguez joins Minnesota United as a free agent after not renewing with Club León, where he played 30 matches, scoring 5 goals and providing 8 assists in less than a year.
The Minnesota United becomes the thirteenth club in Rodríguez’s career, a player who has never spent more than three consecutive seasons at the same team.
MLS continues to attract top stars
Rodríguez’s arrival is another high-profile move for MLS, which last season saw stars like Rodrigo De Paul, Thomas Müller, and Heung-min Son join the league, while Lionel Messi continues to shine with Inter Miami.
Minnesota United comes with high ambitions: last year the team reached the Conference semifinals after finishing fourth in the Western Conference during the regular season, and the addition of Rodríguez is expected to boost their title hopes even further.
