James Rodríguez, 34, could soon be heading for the exit door at Club León, but that doesn't necessarily mean that he will be leaving Mexico.
His León side have suffered from a disappointing Apertura campaign, sitting in 17th place, with any chance of a playoff push all but confirmed.
Things didn't start this way for Rodríguez and León, who started the season with nine-straight wins, leading the Liga MX Clausura, destined for a surprise charge for the title. However, things quickly came crashing down when Los Leones failed to win any of their final eight games of the regular season, before facing defeat to Cruz Azul in the Liguilla quarter-finals.
Their woeful end to the 2024/25 season continued at the start of this season, leading to Eduardo Berrizo's dismissal. In an attempt to save their season, León brought back a popular name, Ignacio Ambriz, the man who brought the club it's most recent league title in 2020.
Ambriz's return has currently failed to produce the desired results, with the club falling further away from playoff contention whislt suffering an unwanted record of eight games without a win.
Now, questions are starting to ask for a team that started the calendar year so strong and competitive, currently sitting at the complete opposite end of the table.
James Rodríguez set for León departure
Colombia's captain arrived in León full of hope and expectation, offering eight goal contributions in the Clausura, but has struggled to produce the same impact this the start of the Apertura.
Providing three goals and two assists, Rodríguez has continued to play his part in Guanajuato, but has struggled to influence matches consistently. Frequently starting on the bench or being substituted early, Ambriz has chosen to manage the Colombian’s minutes carefully, seemingly confident that his team no longer depends on the former Real Madrid and Bayern Munich playmaker.
It's been reported that León's number 10 has one of the biggest contracts in the league, raking in up to $5 million a year.
His January 2025 move to Mexico generated significant buzz, drawing larger crowds and boosting shirt sales following his arrival at León. However, growing concerns suggest that his hefty contract hasn’t been justified by his performances on the pitch.
The big concern for Rodríguez is looking ahead to next summer, the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Set to be his last ever appearance on the world stage, the 34-year-old expects to lead Colombia into the tournament, where they have high hopes of going deep, although uncertainity surrounding his domestic future may raise red flags for his involvement next summer.
Where next for James Rodríguez?
Rodríguez's future remains up in the air, but rumours are beginning to circulate as to where he might play his football in 2026.
Reports indicate that the two-time UEFA Champions League winner remains open to staying in Mexico, with Club América and Tigres two of the frontrunners.
Looking further afield, a move to the MLS hasn't been ruled out. No specific club has been linked with him yet, but ESPN suggests that the player and his team are reviewing the idea of a winter move to ensure his match fitness before next summer.
If a move to another Liga MX or MLS club doesn’t materialise, a sensational return to his homeland remains a possibility. Rodríguez began his career with Envigado before embarking on a journey that took him across Europe, Asia, and North America. Should he fail to secure a deal in Mexico, the United States, or Canada, he may once again look toward Colombia for the next chapter of his career.
The main question surrounding a potential return to Colombia would be financial whether Envigado or any other top-flight club could realistically meet his salary demands.
Where will James Rodríguez be playing his football in 2026? Let us know!