25 Apr 2026 12:28 BST |
5 min read
Former Real Madrid star James Rodriguez’s transfer to Minnesota United in MLS is already starting to cause controversy, with the Colombia playmaker dubbed little more than a ‘PR stunt’.
Rodriguez completed a surprise move to Minnesota in February and he has since struggled to make an impact.
The 34-year-old veteran has made only four appearances for his new club, having been dogged by visa issues and health concerns in his early weeks at the Minneapolis–Saint Paul franchise.
His only start came in a US Open Cup encounter against USL opponents Sacramento Republic, and he has since played only one minute of victories over Portland and Dallas.
This has already led to scrutiny over the value of his move as a player, particularly with the team winning its last four MLS matches.
Andy Greder, a sportswriter for the STP Pioneer Press, explained James’ difficulties in a conversation with Gol Caracol:
“James’ situation has been complicated from the beginning due to the time it took to obtain his visa, the need to get in shape, and subsequently, his health problem after the international break. He played ahead of schedule with Colombia, but the hospitalisation was a setback.”
‘This team doesn’t need James Rodriguez
Minnesota fans are also questioning the value of the impact that the former Everton star is capable of on the playing front.
“Let’s be real with James Rodriguez, this team doesn’t need him. That was always the sense,” the popular MNUFC X account states. “Tomas Chancalay and Joaquin Pereyra have stepped up tremendously. Knowles will get some criticism, but think he’s handled things well.
“The move feels more of a PR stunt for the club and it’s working.
“A little unfortunate James isn’t playing more, of course, it’s what us fans want to see. But, it’s not all that surprising either. Think he can help the team in certain matches, depending on the circumstances of it. Just have to temper expectations with him.
“Like last night, he wasn’t really going to come on when the team was holding onto a 1-0 lead away. Knowles has shown a lot of balls too. He has a global star sitting there and keeps him on the bench. Have to respect it. He just wants to win with the right players out there.”
Rodriguez and Minnesota primed for quick divorce
James’ agreement with Minnesota is a short-term deal that runs until the summer.
He does not occupy a Designated Player (DP) spot at the franchise, which was smart in effectively giving the veteran playmaker a trial period before committing to a long-term signing.
From the player’s perspective, the goal was to get regular playing time before captaining Colombia at the World Cup, although it seems that he is falling short in this aim.
Meanwhile, he is a player who has admitted on several occasions before that he does not like the cold, making his move to Minnesota all the more surprising.
He repeatedly complained about the cold of Munich during a two-year loan spell with Bayern.
“It’s a city that I really like, I love Munich. The cold is hard but I am often at home, so I feel it more when I’m playing or training,” he said during his stint in Germany.
There is still time for Rodriguez to turn things around in Minnesota, but it’s already beginning to feel like his short-term contract is unlikely to be extended.
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