James Rodríguez, Colombia’s captain and Minnesota United’s headline offseason signing, was hospitalized in Minnesota after the national team’s friendly with France and spent roughly 72 hours under clinical observation. Medical staff from both the club and the Colombian federation say he is now back at his Minneapolis residence and showing steady improvement.
Federation issues medical update
According to the Colombian Football Federation, the midfielder developed a case of severe dehydration the day after the France match and was admitted for preventive monitoring. The federation stated that the episode is of a non-sporting origin, is not related to any musculoskeletal injury, and that the latest medical report points to a favorable evolution and steady improvement, as reported by EFE.
How the illness unfolded
Colombian staff say Rodríguez played 63 minutes in the 3-1 friendly defeat to France in Landover, then returned to Minneapolis the following day, where he developed symptoms that led to his hospital stay. That timeline, along with the note that he also logged 63 minutes in a March 26 friendly against Croatia in Orlando, was detailed by ESPN, which added that he checked into a Minnesota clinic accompanied by Minnesota United’s medical team.
Club context and World Cup stakes
Rodríguez signed with Minnesota United in February on a short-term deal that runs through the World Cup window, as announced by the club. MLSsoccer reported those contract terms, and contemporary match reports from The Canadian Press show he made his MLS debut as a second-half substitute in Minnesota’s 6-0 loss at Vancouver on March 15. Minnesota’s medical staff has been working with the national team’s doctors as they monitor his recovery in the Twin Cities.
What’s next
Federation doctors say Rodríguez will remain under clinical supervision while he continues to improve, and that no return-to-play date has been set. Medical teams for both Colombia and Minnesota United will review tests before clearing him to resume training, and the federation has reiterated that the episode does not appear to be related to on-field injury concerns. A fuller report and the club’s comments are included in coverage by The New York Times.
