Breakout World Cup star Linda Caicedo may not feature again in the tournament after the Colombian collapsed at training in distressing scenes caught on video.
The young gun, 18, was rushed to the hospital and was unconscious for 90 seconds. This was as medics and terrified teammates rushed to her aid at the team's base in Sydney. The rising star was later released from the hospital but is unlikely to feature in her country's match against Germany on Sunday.
Footage shows the star jogging with teammates before suddenly stopping, clutching her chest, and falling to the ground. Concerned players gather around her before a woman who appears to be a training staff member sprints to the scene. She is closely followed by other team staffers, one of whom carried a kit bag.
Caicedo regained consciousness as she was being carried to the hospital for treatment. A Colombian Football Association medical staff member later said Linda was 'very tired' but 'back to normal'. 'What happened was just a symptom of all the stress and physical demands of a World Cup,' the team official said.
Caicedo, who scored a memorable goal against South Korea at the Sydney Football Stadium earlier this week, is no stranger to adversity. At 15, she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, which threatened her football career.
She needed surgery to remove a tumor and underwent six months of chemotherapy before returning to football. 'At the time, I didn't think I could play professionally again because of all the treatments and surgeries I had to undergo,' she told FIFA.
'Mentally, it was a very difficult moment in my life. I'm forever grateful that it happened when I was young. I recovered, I also had my family's support, and I feel very good now.
'What happened made me grow. I feel thankful and happy to be here.'
Linda Caicedo rushed to the hospital
Caicedo, who also plays for Spanish giants Real Madrid, was convinced her professional career was over. However, she received an encouraging call from Colombia's women's team head coach, Nelson Abadía. He said, No, just relax. Guaranteed return.
The teenager gave fans one of the most emotional moments of the World Cup so far. She scored a goal in her team's win over South Korea on Tuesday.
Caicedo, who also plays for Spanish giants Real Madrid, is regarded as one of the best young players in the game - and she lived up to that billing when she surged down the left and cut inside before firing a curling shot from just outside the area, which squirmed through goalkeeper Yoon Younggeui.
She was named player of the match after proving a constant threat to the South Koreans. They are ranked 17th in the world, compared to Colombia, which sits at 25th.
