Colombia playmaker James Rodríguez was hospitalised in Minnesota with severe dehydration after returning from international duty, the Colombian Football Federation said on Thursday, but has since been discharged and is recovering at home.
Rodríguez, 34, who signed a short-term contract with Major League Soccer side Minnesota United earlier this year, played 63 minutes in Colombia’s 3-1 friendly defeat to France in Landover, Maryland on Sunday. According to the federation, he did not develop symptoms until he returned to Minneapolis on Monday, when he presented with severe dehydration that required medical attention.
After establishing contact with a medical centre in Minnesota, the federation said Rodríguez was placed under “professional observation due to a non-sports-related medical condition.” He was hospitalised for roughly 72 hours for “preventative and recovery monitoring,” a period during which Minnesota United’s medical team accompanied him to oversee tests and review diagnoses, the federation added.
“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,” the federation said, also noting that the current medical report points to a “favourable evolution and a steady improvement.” Club and national medical staff worked together while he was under care, and Rodríguez has since returned home to continue his recovery.
Colombia clarified the episode was not linked to any previous injuries. “It is important to clarify that this situation is not related to musculoskeletal injuries nor is it linked to the development of his football activities,” the federation said, underlining that the dehydration was a separate medical issue. Rodríguez had earlier in the March international window played 63 minutes in Colombia’s 2-1 loss to Croatia in Orlando on March 26.
The former Real Madrid attacker has made two substitute appearances for Minnesota United this season. Minnesota’s next fixture is away to the LA Galaxy on Saturday; the club has not issued a separate update on Rodríguez’s availability ahead of that match. The federation’s statement and the club’s involvement in his post-international care suggest he was closely monitored after returning to the United States.
The incident highlights how even short-term ailments can sideline players during busy international and domestic schedules. For Rodríguez, the immediate outlook appears positive, with medical staff reporting improvement and the player recuperating at home following the three days of hospital observation.