James Rodríguez, captain of Colombia, has spent the last three days in hospital after exhibiting signs of ‘severe dehydration’ following last week’s match against France.
Colombia lost 3–1 to France in Maryland on Sunday in a friendly played as preparation for this summer’s World Cup.
On Thursday, the Colombian Football Federation issued a statement disclosing that the former Real Madrid midfielder had remained hospitalized in Minnesota for 72 hours.
“The day after the match against France, the player presented symptoms of severe dehydration, which necessitated his hospitalization over the past 72 hours for preventive clinical monitoring and recovery,” it read (via Daily Mail).
The 34-year-old, who signed with Minnesota United earlier this year, featured for just over an hour in Sunday’s match in Landover, Maryland.
The federation added that Rodríguez ‘has been under professional observation due to a medical condition of non-sports-related origin’.
It further clarified: “It is important to clarify that this situation is unrelated to any musculoskeletal injuries, nor is it linked to the performance of his footballing activities.”
According to the federation, his current medical report ‘indicates a favorable prognosis and steady improvement.’
Reports suggest the 34-year-old — who also played in Colombia’s match against Croatia last week — has now returned home and is continuing his recovery.
Rodríguez has earned over 100 caps for Colombia and is expected to lead the team at this summer’s World Cup, where they are placed in Group K alongside Portugal, DR Congo, and Uzbekistan.
“We wish James a speedy and full recovery,” the federation’s statement said.
