While most nations around the world are busy preparing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, James Rodriguez seems to be charting his own course. After helping Colombia qualify for the prestigious tournament by excelling in the CONCACAF qualifiers, it’s only natural for the 34-year-old to want to keep his engine running and maintain peak fitness through domestic action. However, that momentum has suddenly been disrupted with the veteran midfielder’s departure from Mexico’s Club León. And even though he remains in the midst of a search for a new team where he can secure consistent game time, U.S. soccer analyst Favian Renkel has cautioned MLS clubs against pursuing his signature.

The news regarding the imminent exit of James Rodriguez from the Liga MX side was shared by renowned transfer guru Fabrizio Romano. Despite having arrived earlier this year in January, the attacking midfielder is leaving as a free agent to kickstart his new chapter that will further help him maintain his status ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Nothing concrete has been stated, but links to join a potential MLS side are already out in the open.

And that is the last thing that Favian Renkel wants, unless, of course, Rodriguez’s signature is met with a certain condition. Retweeting Romano’s update on the former Real Madrid star, Renkel said, “Now James is a player MLS teams shouldn’t pursue unless he’s signed on a TAM deal. His jersey sales alone would justify the move, not to mention the ticket revenue he’d generate. But he’s never shown the drive to elevate his club team, always prioritizing the national team instead.”

As much as having a player of James Rodriguez’s stature benefits any team, few realize the potential pitfalls that come with it. As Favian Renkel bluntly pointed out, James Rodriguez has often lacked initiative when it comes to domestic clubs. Now that this has come to light, it inevitably reminds us of his time at Real Madrid.

When he first arrived, everything seemed perfect, but unfortunately, as the seasons went by, he slipped down the pecking order. Many would recall his infamous fallout with Los Blancos’ iconic manager Zinedine Zidane, who frequently kept the Colombian on the bench. That ultimately became one of the main reasons behind James’ departure from the Bernabéu.

Either way, Renkel’s warning to MLS clubs about signing him was quite a bold statement. Even if they still wish to pursue him, they could do so using the TAM (Targeted Allocation Money) mechanism. After all, having him in America wouldn’t necessarily hurt the team’s or the player’s chances to succeed.

There’s a reason why James Rodriguez wants to join the MLS!

Of course, the 2026 World Cup is the main motivation. But it’s important to note that James Rodriguez isn’t solely doing this to secure a spot in Colombia’s final roster. Given that next summer’s tournament will be hosted in the United States—with co-hosting duties also shared by Mexico and Canada—playing within North America would help him quickly adapt to his surroundings.

In fact, if he performs well for any MLS club, he could easily win over fans and establish himself as a familiar name within the American soccer community, which could only benefit him during the World Cup. Having made 120 appearances and scored 30 goals for Colombia since his debut in 2011, a strong domestic run would further strengthen his position as a national team leader.

On the other hand, signing James Rodriguez offers plenty of advantages for any MLS team. Beyond boosting the club’s status, his global fan following alone could generate substantial social and financial gains. Not to mention, the immense experience he brings, having played for elite clubs like Real Madrid, where he won two Champions League titles, as well as Bayern Munich, Everton, and Porto, under world-class managers such as Zinedine Zidane, Carlo Ancelotti, and Rafa Benítez, is invaluable.

So, while there are major positives and a few drawbacks to consider in potentially bringing James Rodríguez to MLS, one thing is certain: he seems determined to make the most of his national team ambitions. Either way, share your thoughts on the matter in the comments below.