James Rodriguez is about to make a surprising move to a little-known club run by a World Cup winner.
Former Real Madrid star James Rodriguez is reportedly close to joining an Italian Serie B team, where he would be coached by a World Cup winner.
Rodriguez left Minnesota United in July after the club decided not to extend his short-term contract, which would have kept him in MLS until the end of the year. Since then, he has been without a team. But Spanish news outlet MARCA says he is now “very close” to signing with Avellino, a club in Italy’s second division. An official announcement could come soon.
Avellino is managed by Alessandro Nesta, a famous AC Milan player who won the World Cup with Italy in 2006. The club is owned by the D’Agostino Group, an Italian construction company. Over the years, Avellino has faced many challenges, folding several times and being re-founded in 2018 after being blocked from Serie B. They have never played in Serie A and finished eighth last season, just missing promotion.
In 2007, former Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri briefly managed Avellino but quit after a month due to disagreements with the board. Nesta has lasted longer, taking over in June with a two-year contract. Avellino is currently fifth in Serie B after three games, with two wins and one loss.
Bringing in Rodriguez would add some star power to a team without many well-known players. When Rodriguez first joined Minnesota, there was a lot of excitement, with hopes he would lead the team, which finished fifth in the Western Conference last season. But his time in MLS didn’t go well — he played just eight games and didn’t score.
In March, while playing for Colombia, Rodriguez was rushed to the hospital after showing signs of severe dehydration following a loss to France. Minnesota’s local media said the club doctor called his condition “serious.” The club later clarified that his issue was not related to any muscle or football injuries.
Rodriguez was let go by Minnesota in May to get ready for the 2026 World Cup. After the tournament, they announced he wouldn’t return, as his contract had expired in June. Minnesota had an option to keep him until December but chose not to use it.