There are worries about the well-being of a formerEverton and Real Madrid midfielder James Rodriguez after the 34-year-old was rushedto a hospital exhibiting symptoms of ‘severe dehydration.’
Rodriguez represented his nation earlier in the week when Colombia lost 3-1 to France in a friendly match held in the United States, which took place before the upcoming summer’s World Cup. The temperature during the game was approximately 26 degrees Celsius.
On Thursday, the Colombian Football Association issued a statement indicating that Rodriguez had been hospitalized in Minnesota for 72 hours. It stated: ‘The following day after the game versus France, the athlete exhibited signs of significant dehydration, leading to his admission to the hospital for the past 72 hours for precautionary medical observation and rehabilitation.
It mentioned that Rodriguez has been under professional supervision because of a medical issue not related to sports. He participated in just over an hour of the match.
Although reports mention that Rodriguez, who also played in Colombia’s match against Croatia last week, has returned home to recover from the health issue, there is growing worry about his long-term well-being.
According to Marca, he is currently unable to compete at the top tier, and will skip his club’s match against LA Galaxy this weekend, which is a key game for Minnesota United.
Leaked medical records indicate his condition is ‘critical,’ as the Colombian has faced fitness issues since joining the club in February. He has only managed to play 47 minutes for his new team, with muscle injuries being the primary cause of his limited appearances.
Manager Cameron Knowles, nevertheless, has minimised worries, stating: ‘A player’s absence can occur for various reasons, but we need to focus on health. As he gets better, we will reintroduce him, but we won’t hurry his comeback if it could lead to a serious injury.’
Although it affects his club, it also brings worries for Colombia before the World Cup. The friendly match took place in Maryland, United States, where the international tournament will occur this summer.
The players’ well-being has been a top priority in the arrangements, with scheduled water breaks during every match.
However, for Colombia, the well-being of their captain will be a concern as they strive to achieve success in the competition.
Rodriguez has played over 100 times for his national team and is poised to lead Colombia in the World Cup. The South American team is placed in Group K, which also includes Portugal, DR Congo, and Uzbekistan.
jasdooit 
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