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Faryd Mondragon, Former Colombia GK, in Hospital After Reported Suicide Attempt

Tom Sunderland@@TomSunderland_X.com LogoFeatured ColumnistJanuary 13, 2016

Colombia's goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon, waves to spectators after the group C World Cup soccer match between Japan and Colombia at the Arena Pantanal in Cuiaba, Brazil, Tuesday, June 24, 2014. Colombia won the match 4-1. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Kirsty Wigglesworth/Associated Press

Former Colombia goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon has been hospitalised after an alleged suicide attempt.

The Guardian cited El Colombiano, which suggested Mondragon, 44, had taken a "large dose of anti-depressants" and was taken to the Valle del Lili clinic in his hometown of Cali, Colombia, on Tuesday suffering from a "metabolic imbalance.” The clinic confirmed he remains under medical observation, per ITV.

According to the Guardian, Mondragon posted a troubling message on his official Instagram prior to the incident, which has since been deleted. It read: “There is only me who can judge my life, and I’m tired of being judged by others without the possibility of defending myself."  

Mondragon became the oldest player to ever feature at a World Cup in 2014, when he came on as an 85th-minute substitute for Colombia in their 4-1 group-stage victory against Japan, aged 43 years and three days, per OptaCan:

OptaCan @OptaCan

43 - Faryd Mondragon is the oldest ever player to appear in a World Cup game (43 years & 3 days old). Warrior.

The veteran stopper announced his retirement from football following Colombia's elimination at the hands of hosts Brazil in the quarter-finals of the tournament, hanging up his boots with 54 international caps per Transfermarkt.

Mondragon spent a large portion of his club career in South America, including several stints with Argentinian outfits Independiente and Santa Fe.

However, his career also took him across Europe and North America. He made more than 200 appearances for Turkish giants Galatasaray before spending three years at Cologne and playing a single season for Major League Soccer side Philadelphia Union in 2011.