James Rodriguez: Minnesota United deny midfielder has rare muscle wasting condition

Minnesota United have denied rumours that midfielder James Rodriguez is suffering from a potentially life-threatening muscle-wasting condition.

The Colombia international returned to the club's training ground on Monday after being hospitalised.

Rodriguez, 34, showed signs of illness during Colombia's 3-1 defeat by France on 29 March and subsequently spent three days in hospital with severe dehydration.

A statement from the Colombia Football Federation on 2 April confirmed Rodriguez was under observation for a "non-sports-related medical condition" but said his prognosis was "favourable".

Social media rumours and reports in some US media sparked concerns he was suffering from rhabdomyolysis – a rare condition sometimes linked to over-exertion which causes muscles to disintegrate and can lead to potentially fatal kidney damage when toxic muscle fibres enter the circulatory system.

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