Colombia Star James Rodríguez Reportedly Set to Leave León, Eyes Move from Liga MX to MLS

James Rodríguez Nears Exit from Club León After Turbulent Spell in Mexico

For all the magic that once made him one of football’s brightest stars, James Rodríguez’s journey has been one of reinvention, recovery, and restless ambition. Now, it seems another chapter is coming to an end. According to multiple reports — including a reliable update from Fabrizio Romano — the Colombian playmaker will leave Club León at the end of 2025, bringing to a close his short yet headline-filled stay in Liga MX.

James, 34, will become a free agent when his contract expires in December, and while several top Mexican clubs have expressed interest in keeping him in the country, sources suggest his next destination is already taking shape across the border — Major League Soccer (MLS).

A Short but Eventful Chapter in Liga MX

When James Rodríguez joined Club León in January 2025, it felt like a romantic reset for both player and club. León, known for their passionate fanbase and fluid attacking football, saw in James the chance to add flair and experience to a side eager to climb back into contention. For James, who had recently endured difficult stints in Greece with Olympiacos and in Brazil with São Paulo, Mexico seemed a fitting stage to remind the world of his class.

And at first, there were glimpses of the James the world once adored — the graceful left foot, the effortless vision, the ability to decide games with a single touch. But as the months unfolded, so did León’s struggles.

The team stumbled through the Apertura 2025 campaign, managing just a handful of wins and ultimately finishing 17th in the table — a disastrous outcome for a club that had entered the season with high hopes. León’s failure to find consistency, coupled with locker-room frustrations and managerial uncertainty, made James’ stay increasingly untenable.

While James contributed nine goals and five assists in 34 appearances across all competitions, the overall feeling within the club was that both sides had expected more.

The End of the Mexican Adventure

Leon v Puebla – Torneo Apertura 2025 Liga MX

By mid-November, the writing was on the wall. Discussions between James’ representatives and León’s front office reportedly ended amicably, but with mutual acknowledgment that the project had run its course.

Fabrizio Romano broke the story first, confirming that James Rodríguez will leave León after the Apertura season and will officially be out of contract by December 31, 2025. The midfielder, who turns 35 next July, will once again test free agency — a situation that has become familiar terrain in recent years.

It’s the third time in his career that James departs a club as a free agent, following his exits from Olympiacos in 2023 and São Paulo in 2024. But unlike those departures, this one feels different. There’s no bitterness, no fallout — just quiet acceptance that it’s time to move on.

MLS Beckons: A New Stage for a Global Icon

While Liga MX giants Tigres, Monterrey, and Club América were initially linked with James, insiders close to the player suggest he’s leaning toward a move to Major League Soccer.

According to Fox Sports Mexico, at least one Eastern Conference club has made concrete contact with James’ camp, hoping to finalize a deal once his León contract officially expires. The move would mark his first foray into North American football — and possibly the final stop in a globe-trotting career that has spanned seven countries and nearly two decades.

The appeal of MLS for a player like James is obvious. The league has become a magnet for established stars seeking both competitive football and lifestyle stability. It’s a place where the spotlight still shines brightly — but perhaps more kindly than in Europe’s pressure-cooker environments.

There’s also a cultural fit: MLS fans love creative, technical midfielders, and James, with his flair and intelligence, remains tailor-made for that stage.

Whether it’s Inter Miami (reuniting him with Lionel Messi), Orlando City, or another major-market franchise, the Colombian’s arrival would undoubtedly make headlines and bolster MLS’s reputation for attracting global names.

James Rodríguez: The Numbers Behind the Name

Leon v Puebla – Torneo Apertura 2025 Liga MX

Even as critics argue that James is past his prime, the numbers tell a more nuanced story. In 34 appearances for León, he registered nine goals and five assists — respectable returns for a player adapting to a new league, altitude, and a struggling team.

His performances were at times inconsistent, yes, but when he was on song, he was mesmerizing. A perfectly weighted through ball here, a curling free-kick there — flashes of the same brilliance that once lit up Real Madrid’s Bernabéu and enchanted fans during the 2014 World Cup.

Teammates reportedly spoke of his professionalism and quiet influence in the dressing room. “He wasn’t the loudest,” one León staff member told Record México, “but when he spoke, people listened. He brought a calmness, an experience we hadn’t had before.”

Yet football is ultimately judged on results, and León’s poor season overshadowed individual contributions. The team’s early exits from both domestic competitions left fans disillusioned, and despite his moments of quality, James was never able to lift León above the mediocrity that defined their year.

A Career of Highs, Lows, and Constant Reinvention

For James Rodríguez, the path has never been straightforward. From his breakout at Banfield and stardom at Porto, to the dizzying heights of Real Madrid and the unforgettable summer of 2014 — few players have lived as many lives in football as James.

That World Cup in Brazil, where he won the Golden Boot and delivered the tournament’s most iconic goal against Uruguay, made him a household name. The ensuing move to Madrid was supposed to cement him among the game’s elite.

But as football often does, fate intervened. Managerial changes, injuries, and tactical mismatches saw him drift from the Spanish capital to Bayern Munich, Everton, Olympiacos, São Paulo, and finally León.

And yet, through it all, James has remained relevant — still commanding global attention, still capable of lighting up a game with one swing of his left foot.

Now, at 34, he stands at another crossroads.

What the MLS Move Could Mean,

America v Leon – Torneo Apertura 2025 Liga MX

A move to MLS wouldn’t just be about nostalgia or comfort. It could represent a smart final act — one that aligns with the league’s growing ambition and James’ own desire to stay competitive while preparing for life beyond European intensity.

He would join a league that has already welcomed icons like Lionel Messi, Giorgio Chiellini, Thiago Almada, and Luis Suárez, blending experience with emerging South American talent.

From a marketing standpoint, James’ arrival would be gold dust for MLS — particularly given the league’s expanding footprint in Latin America. His Colombian heritage and massive online following make him a valuable ambassador for the game’s growth in the Americas.

And for James himself, it’s a chance to play freely again, away from the relentless criticism of European media. To enjoy his football, inspire younger teammates, and perhaps write one final memorable chapter before calling time on a remarkable career.

What’s Next for Club León?

As for Club León, James’ departure signals another period of transition. The team’s management faces a busy offseason, with plans to rebuild a squad that underperformed in virtually every department.

León president Jesús Martínez has reportedly thanked James for his professionalism and commitment, calling his stint “a chapter that brought global attention to our club.” Yet the focus now shifts toward youth development and financial prudence.

Replacing James — both as a player and a global figure — will be no easy task. But for a club that has long prided itself on resourcefulness, this is familiar territory.

Atlas v Leon – Torneo Apertura 2025 Liga MX

The Final Word: A New Chapter Awaits

As James Rodríguez prepares to pack his bags yet again, there’s a certain poetry to it all. From Madrid’s white lights to Munich’s precision, from São Paulo’s chaos to León’s passion, and now, possibly, to the sunlit stadiums of MLS — his journey has been anything but predictable.

He may no longer be the unstoppable playmaker of 2014, but James remains something rarer: a footballer who continues to seek joy in the game, even as the world changes around him.

For fans, there’s still hope that one last spark remains — that in the right system, under the right lights, the Colombian maestro can once again remind everyone why his name once echoed across continents.

Because even now, as he nears the twilight of his career, James Rodríguez has never been just another player. He’s an artist — and artists never truly fade; they just find new stages.