Netflix confirmed the world premiere of Jamesthe documentary series about James Rodríguez produced by Clover Studios and directed by Simon Brandscheduled to arrive in the global catalog on May 21, 2026. The platform released the trailer and the official poster of a project that, a few days before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in United States, Mexico and Canadais emerging as the star biographical sports content of the year. The launch responds to the expectation accumulated by a documentary that accompanies Rodriguez in what could be his last great campaign with the Colombia National Team.
The production – described by Netflix as raw and honest – promises unprecedented access to the intimate and professional history of the emblematic number 10: the story covers from his first days in Envigado Football Club until the end of his cycle with European clubs and the national team. The documentary is distributed in three episodes and details both his highest peaks, such as the title of top scorer in Brazil 2014, and the recent ups and downs and transitions in his club career.
With Simon Brand In direction, the docuseries is executive produced by Laura Carrenothe coordination of Julio Gaviria and Laura Francoand the musical backing of Electric Diamond. Netflix integrates the premiere into its offensive for the Latin American sports documentary genre, replicating the formula applied in the recent release of the documentary about Ronaldinho.
The core of the documentary lies in the review of the two great moments that have defined the status of James Rodriguez in international football. First, the consecration in Brazil World Cup 2014when he scored six goals —including the Puskas Prize-winning volley—and was awarded the Golden Boot as top gunner, a result that opened the door for him in the real Madrid. Second, his performance in the Copa America 2024a tournament in which he established himself as the top assister, surpassing the Argentine’s historical records Lionel Messiand led Colombia until they disputed the third continental final of its history.
The series adds statements from world football figures and personal friends. Names such as Luis Diaz, Radamel Falcao García, David Ospina, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo, Carlo Ancelotti, Julio César Falcioni, José Néstor Pekerman and Nestor Lorenzo. The appearance of Salome Rodriguezdaughter of the protagonist, reinforces the family dimension of the story, with direct testimonies about the pressure and sacrifices off the pitch.
The narrative includes unpublished images and family memories that reconstruct Rodríguez’s transition from his beginnings in Envigado towards his consolidation in European football and the clubs he signed for after his definitive departure from real Madrid in 2020. In the subsequent period, he has worn the jerseys of the Everton (England), Al-Rayyan (Taste), Olympiacos (Greece), Sao Paulo (Brazil), Rayo Vallecano (Spain), Club Leon (Mexico) and recently, from Minnesota United F.C. in the MLS.
James Rodriguez He provides on-camera testimony about the professional challenges, media pressure and wear and tear of recent years at the club level. The documentary addresses the debate about his waning prominence after passing through the real Madrid and the lack of regularity since 2020, in addition to the anxiety to perform to the maximum in his possible last World Cup and the comments from the technical leadership of his current club.
Within the framework of the imminent premiere of the docuseries, the sports director of the Minnesota United, Khaled El-Ahmadpraised Rodríguez’s attitude and performance, although specialized media such as Win Sports They highlighted the contradiction between the positive evaluation and the lack of minutes on the field in the recent season. The journalist Carlos Antonio Velez he questioned: “If he is so fantastic, so good, if he trains so well, why don’t they play him? And why are they negotiating his release for next week when the championship is still there?”opening the debate on the future projection of the midfielder after the 2026 World Cup.
James marks the return of Simon Brand to the sports documentary format, with a comprehensive access approach to the biography of a contemporary Latin American reference, in a bid to Netflix for strengthening its portfolio of original sports stories on a regional and international scale. From May 21, 2026the series is officially integrated into the platform’s global catalogue, consolidating itself as the first major Colombian soccer documentary miniseries strategically scheduled in the run-up to the biggest event on the global sports calendar.
