James Rodríguez Decides Not to Travel to León for Tijuana Match Due to Turf Issues

James Rodríguez will not join León for their Week 9 Apertura 2025 match against Tijuana at Estadio Caliente, according to Milenio. The Colombian midfielder played briefly against Tigres last week after returning from South American qualifiers, but no injury has been reported by the club for his absence.

Reports suggest that James made the choice himself, opting not to play on artificial turf, which many players believe increases injury risks. With the 2026 World Cup approaching, the 33-year-old is focusing on his fitness to ensure his availability for what might be his last major international tournament.

The situation is critical for León, who are currently 10th in the standings with 11 points, while Xolos are in sixth place with 13 points. This match is crucial for playoff positioning. Head coach Eduardo Berizzo will rely on Jordi Cortizo, Óscar Jiménez, Iván Moreno, and Alfonso Alvarado, all of whom were featured in the squad photos released by the club.

James is dedicated to maintaining his fitness and contributing when possible, aiming to support León in domestic competitions and lead Colombia’s upcoming generation into the next World Cup cycle.