Since his arrival in MLS, James Rodriguez has not been able to find consistency at Minnesota United. His debut was not the best as his team suffered a 6-0 thrashing, a result that intensified criticism of him for not being the reinforcement that was expected.
The Colombian complained of a physical discomfort for which he blames the infrastructure of his own club. He blamed Minnesota’s artificial turf for the foot ailment. He excuses himself with the argument that he is not used to playing on synthetic pitches.
Last week I had something on my foot. My body is not used to training on a court like that. On a hard court, on a field that is artificial. I think I’m going to be 120% fit. I know how to get out of all this; you have to train hard
Both the team and James are eager for him to quickly adapt to the artificial field. If he wants to arrive in good form for the 2026 World Cup, he has to adapt as soon as possible. The club is anxious for him to regain his level to get out of the current slump and be a worthy competitor.
The ghost of injuries in James Rodriguez
Before his debut, James had already set off alarm bells. A bruise suffered in training delayed his debut by several days, missing key matches against Nashville and Cincinnati. For some critics, this is the “James cycle” that was already seen in Qatar, Greece, Brazil and Mexico: flashes of brilliance followed by prolonged absences due to physical ailments.
In Minnesota, where MLS soccer demands intense physical exertion and constant transcontinental travel, the Colombian’s health is the biggest source of skepticism. The question floating around Allianz Field is: how many full matches will James be able to play before returning to the infirmary?
The bridge contract and the 2026 World Cup
Another factor fueling distrust is the nature of his relationship with the club. James signed a guaranteed contract only until June 2026, coinciding with the start of the World Cup. There is an option to extend until December, but many see Minnesota as simply a “luxury gym” where the Colombian is looking to gain momentum for his last major World Cup appearance with the Colombian national team.
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