James Rodriguez is having fitness issues.
Although the Colombian national team has shown many positive signs, the captain's form and fitness are causing concern among experts. In the recent friendly matches against Croatia and France, James played 63 minutes in each game before being substituted.
The former Everton midfielder even had to be hospitalized for 72 hours due to severe dehydration. This reflects the fact that he has not yet reached the necessary fitness level to compete at the World Cup level.
In top-level football, fitness and form always go hand in hand. When not in peak condition, even the most talented players struggle to perform at their best.
With James, his talent has never been in doubt. He was a phenomenon in Colombian football, shining brightly at the 2014 World Cup, then joining Real Madrid after a successful spell at Porto. Over the years, he has become an icon of Colombian football.
However, to regain his peak form, James needs to play regularly. Having joined Minnesota United in February, he has only played a mere 41 minutes across two games. From now until the end of the season, the midfielder born in 1991 could accumulate a maximum of around 900 minutes. That's enough time to improve his fitness if utilized effectively.
The 2024 Copa America is the clearest evidence of James's class when he's in top physical condition. While playing for Sao Paulo, he entered the tournament in excellent form and became the best player of the tournament, even though Colombia couldn't win the title.
Clearly, if James wants to shine at the 2026 World Cup and lead Colombia far, he must regain his fitness and peak performance.