MEDELLÍN, Colombia (AP) — After a brief stint with MLS side Minnesota United in the United States, Colombia soccer international James Rodríguez decided to return home on Thursday.
Rodríguez, a former Real Madrid midfielder who was a free agent, will play for Atlético Nacional, the most decorated club that is based in Medellín, in his home nation.
Atlético Nacional did not disclose the financial details of the deal or the duration of it.
Rodríguez, 35, has bounced around since 2022, with stints with Olympiacos in Greece, Sao Paulo in Brazil, Rayo Vallecano in Spain, Club León in Mexico and Minnesota United in the MLS, where he played just six matches in the first semester of the year.
The midfielder helped lead Colombia to the Copa America final in 2024, the country’s first such appearance in 23 years. He has 31 goals in 131 career international matches with Colombia.
Rodríguez became a worldwide star at the 2014 World Cup, when he won the Golden Boot award as the tournament’s leading scorer with six goals in five matches. He joined Real Madrid in Spain after that, spending six seasons with the La Liga powerhouse where he collected two La Liga titles over four seasons.
He also had stays with Bayern Munich in Germany’s Bundesliga and Everton in the English Premier League.
Rodríguez also played in the 2018 and 2026 World Cups, matching Carlos Valderrama and Freddy Rincón for the most by a Colombia player.
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FILE - Colombia midfielder James Rodríguez looks on during the second half of an international friendly soccer match against Jordan, June 7, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull, File)
NEW YORK (AP) — Elena Rybakina rallied past Coco Gauff 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 on Thursday night and will face Aryna Sabalenka in a U.S. Open final between the top players in women's tennis.
Rybakina is already guaranteed to replace Sabalenka atop the rankings next week and on Saturday will attempt to take the trophy that Sabalenka has won the last two years.
Sabalenka beat Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-2 in the first semifinal, running away with the second set after they played largely even in the first.
The nightcap was more a battle, with Gauff trying to fight from behind in the final two sets, but Rybakina not letting her come all the back.
See AP’s full tennis coverage here
Coco Gauff, of the United States, serves to Elena Rybakina, of Kazakhstan, during the women's singles semifinals of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
Elena Rybakina, of Kazakhstan, celebrates winning a match against Coco Gauff, of the United States, during the women's singles semifinals of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, reacts during a match against Jessica Pegula, of the United States, during the women's singles semifinals of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
Jessica Pegula, of the United States, returns the ball to Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, during the women's singles semifinals of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, reacts after she won the first set during the women's singles semifinals of the U.S. Open tennis championships against Jessica Pegula, of the United States, Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, follows through on a shot to Jessica Pegula, of the United States, during the women's singles semifinals of the U.S. Open tennis championships Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
