JAMES RODRIGUEZ spent three days in hospital after Sunday’s friendly defeat to France, the Colombian FA have confirmed.
The former Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Everton midfielder, 34, started the 3-1 loss in Maryland and played just over an hour.
He was hospitalised the next day with “severe dehydration” and kept in for monitoring.
The Colombian Football Federation (FCF) has stressed that Rodriguez’s condition was not brought on by the match itself.
Their statement read: “The midfielder has been under professional observation due to a non-sports-related medical condition.
“The day after the match against France, the player presented with severe dehydration that required hospitalisation for the past 72 hours for preventative and recovery monitoring.
“It is important to clarify that this situation is unrelated to musculoskeletal injuries and is not linked to his football activities.
“Fortunately, the current medical report indicates a favourable evolution and steady improvement.”
Rodriguez has been playing his club football in the States with Minnesota United since February.
He won’t have far to go for this summer’s World Cup, where he is in line to captain Colombia 12 years on from starring in the 2014 tournament, when he won the Golden Boot.
Colombian football chiefs are keen to stay across Rodriguez’s condition after his recent health scare.
They said: “The Colombian National Team’s medical staff maintains constant and coordinated communication with Minnesota United FC to closely monitor his progress.
“The Colombian Football Federation (FCF) wishes James a speedy and full recovery.”
Rodriguez became the fourth most expensive signing in football history upon signing for Real in a deal worth up to £71million after the 2014 World Cup.
He scored 37 goals in 125 games before joining Bayern on loan and spending a season in the Premier League with Everton.
Since leaving the Toffees in 2021, Rodriguez has played in Qatar, Greece, Brazil, Spain, Mexico and now the US.
