Colombia’s James Rodríguez hospitalized for ‘severe dehydration’ day after loss to France

Colombian national team captain James Rodríguez required hospital care for “severe dehydration” in Minnesota one day after Colombia’s 3-1 loss to France in Landover, Md., the Colombian Football Federation announced Thursday.

According to the federation’s statement, Rodríguez, 34, “presented a severe dehydration episode” that required 72 hours of preventive clinical monitoring and recovery. Rodriguez played 63 minutes against France and an additional 63 minutes three days before that against Croatia in Orlando, Fla. The Minnesota United midfielder is now resting at his residence in Minneapolis, a club spokesperson told The Athletic.

The Colombian federation’s statement stressed that Rodríguez is not injured and his status is “not related to any musculoskeletal injuries, nor is it linked to his footballing activities.”

“Fortunately, the current medical report indicates a favorable progression and steady improvement,” the statement read.

Rodríguez signed with Minnesota in February after his contract expired with Club Leon in December 2025. He missed the majority of the club’s preseason training sessions in California. His match fitness, or lack thereof, was a major talking point after Rodríguez finally found a club.

During an exclusive interview with The Athletic in February, following his introduction as an MLS player, Rodríguez was bullish about his ability to hit the ground running.

“I was more like, ‘Relax, it’s all going to work out,’” he said. “I’ve never been one to respond to all those things, because I’ve always thought that you do your talking on the pitch. If I were to be asked to play a game right now, I’d be ready.”

Rodriguez made his MLS debut in the second half of Minnesota’s 6-0 loss away to Vancouver on March 15. The following weekend at home, he entered in the 77th minute in a 0-0 draw versus the Seattle Sounders.

The two international friendlies against Croatia and France, however, put Rodríguez’s current match fitness for elite competition into question.

Minnesota travels to California this Saturday to face the Los Angeles Galaxy.

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