Colombian international midfielder James Rodriguez’s club has vehemently denied widespread social media rumors that the player is suffering from a potentially fatal muscle-wasting condition.
The denial follows the 34-year-old’s recent three-day hospitalization in the United States.
The former Everton player was admitted to hospital after experiencing "severe dehydration" following Colombia’s friendly defeat to France in Maryland, United States, on 29 March.
Colombia’s football federation had revealed he had been in a US hospital for a problem "not related to musculoskeletal injuries" and not "linked to the development of his football activities".
This prompted social media speculation that Rodriguez was afflicted with rhabdomyolysis, a rare condition which causes muscles to disintegrate and can potentially lead to fatal kidney damage.
However, his current club, Major League Soccer side Minnesota United, issued a robust statement on Monday night, directly addressing the claims.
"The club and our medical professionals can unequivocally state there has been no clinical or laboratory evidence of rhabdomyolysis," the statement read.
"We respectfully ask members of the media and the public to refrain from further speculation regarding James’ health. Any additional updates will be communicated directly by the club through official channels."
Rodriguez was substituted in the 63rd minute of the defeat to France. The Colombian Football Federation later confirmed in a statement on 2 April that he had "presented with severe dehydration" the day after the match and was in hospital for 72 hours "for preventative and recovery monitoring".
Minnesota United added that James received IV fluid therapy before being discharged and was back at the club’s training ground on Monday for "a supervised return-to-activity session."
His full reintegration into team training "will follow the protocols established by the club’s medical department and will be guided entirely by his clinical progress."
A veteran of two World Cups, Rodriguez’s distinguished career has included stops at European giants such as Porto, Monaco, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, alongside a one-year spell at Everton for the 2020-21 campaign.
He joined Major League Soccer side Minnesota United on a short-term deal in February.
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