Rodriguez in Colombia World Cup squad after illness

Image source, Getty Images

• Published38 minutes ago

Captain James Rodriguez has been named in Colombia's World Cup squad following a season disrupted by illness.

The former Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Everton player has started in just two of Minnesota United's 15 Major League Soccer matches, playing 194 minutes overall.

The 34-year-old midfielder is joined in Colombia's squad by Bayern Munich winger Luis Diaz as the South American nation return to the World Cup after failing to qualify for the 2022 edition in Qatar.

Rodriguez was taken to hospital in March after showing signs of illness during Colombia's 3-1 defeat by France and spent three days under observation with severe dehydration.

Social media rumours and reports in some US media at the time sparked concerns he was suffering from rhabdomyolysis - a potentially life-threatening muscle-wasting condition - but his club have firmly denied the claims.

Rodriguez, who won the Golden Boot at the 2014 World Cup, joined Minnesota in February, shortly before the MLS season began.

Crystal Palace's Daniel Munoz and Jefferson Lerma make the squad, as does former Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina.

Colombia will train in Bogota before facing Costa Rica and Jordan in friendlies on 1 and 7 June respectively.

Making their seventh appearance at the finals, they will face debutants Uzbekistan in their Group K opener on 17 June, before facing DR Congo and Portugal.

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Colombia World Cup squad

Goalkeepers: Camilo Vargas (Atlas), Alvaro Montero (Velez Sarsfield), David Ospina (Atletico Nacional)

Defenders: Davinson Sanchez (Galatasaray), Jhon Lucumi (Bologna), Yerry Mina (Cagliari), Willer Ditta (Cruz Azul), Daniel Munoz (Crystal Palace), Santiago Arias (Independiente), Johan Mojica (Mallorca), Deiver Machado (Nantes)

Midfielders: Richard Rios (Benfica), Jefferson Lerma (Crystal Palace), Kevin Castano (River Plate), Juan Camilo Portilla (Athletico Paranaense), Gustavo Puerta (Racing de Santander), Jhon Arias (Palmeiras), Jorge Carrascal (Flamengo), Juan Fernando Quintero (River Plate), James Rodriguez (Minnesota United), Jaminton Campaz (Rosario Central)

Forwards: Juan Camilo Hernandez (Real Betis), Luis Diaz (Bayern Munich), Luis Suarez (Sporting), Carlos Andres Gomez (Vasco da Gama), Jhon Cordoba (Krasnodar)

Related topics

• Football
• Colombia
• FIFA World Cup

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