In a surprising move that sent shockwaves through the football world, Colombian superstar James Rodríguez has joined Mexican club León on a free transfer. The 33-year-old attacking midfielder, who recently terminated his contract with Spain’s Rayo Vallecano, arrives at León ahead of a pivotal 2025 season.
James, known for his magical left foot and mesmerizing skills on the ball, brings a wealth of experience to the Liga MX side. The 2014 World Cup Golden Boot winner has enjoyed stints at some of Europe’s biggest clubs, including spells at Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Everton.
A Busy 2025 Awaits
León will kick off their 2025 Clausura campaign on January 18th, where James is expected to make his highly-anticipated debut. But the Colombian’s arrival comes at an especially exciting time for the club, as they prepare for a historic appearance at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in June.
At the prestigious tournament, León will face off against global heavyweights like Chelsea, Flamengo, and Esperance de Tunis in the group stage. James’ experience on the biggest stages could prove invaluable as León looks to make a splash on the world stage.
A Nomadic Recent Career
The move to León marks James’ sixth club since 2021, a testament to his nomadic career in recent years. After struggling for playing time at Everton, the Colombian embarked on a globetrotting journey that saw him ply his trade in Qatar, Greece, and Brazil before a short-lived return to Spain with Rayo Vallecano.
Despite the constant change of scenery, James has remained a key figure for the Colombian national team. With 29 goals in 112 appearances, he is one of Los Cafeteros’ all-time leading scorers and most capped players.
Guardado Hints at Return
James wasn’t the only major story surrounding León this week. Club legend Andrés Guardado, who retired at the end of last season, sent fans into a frenzy on Sunday when he hinted at a possible return on social media.
“I’m back.”
– Andrés Guardado on social media
The 37-year-old midfielder, who made over 250 appearances for León across two stints, would provide valuable leadership and experience alongside James in the dressing room. With Guardado pulling the strings and James providing the attacking spark, León could be a force to be reckoned with in 2025.
A New Chapter Begins
As James Rodríguez embarks on this new chapter of his storied career, all eyes will be on León. Can the Colombian rediscover his best form and lead the club to glory domestically and on the world stage? Only time will tell, but one thing is for certain – the arrival of James Rodríguez has instantly made León one of the most intriguing teams to watch in 2025.
