Borussia Dortmund's Konstantinos Karetsas Hospitalized After Collapsing During Champions League Debut
Konstantinos Karetsas Taken to Hospital After Collapse in Champions League Match
During Borussia Dortmund’s Champions League game against Villarreal, the 18-year-old forward Konstantinos Karetsas collapsed on the field, causing alarm among players and spectators. This marked his first appearance in Europe's top club competition.
Medical Emergency Unfolds in Spain
The young talent appeared fine as he passed the ball to a teammate but soon showed signs of distress. He gestured towards the referee before sitting down, which made it clear that something was wrong. The situation quickly escalated, leading to his transfer to a hospital for urgent evaluation.
Dortmund Confirms Circulatory Issue
Borussia Dortmund later issued a statement revealing that the cause of Karetsas’ collapse was related to his circulatory system. The club assured fans that despite the incident, he is stable and undergoing further tests at the hospital.
"Kosta is doing well under the circumstances and is on his way to the hospital for further tests," the statement said.
Goalkeeper Gregor Kobel spoke after the match, sharing the team's hope for a swift recovery. "I hope and I think that everything is OK and I hope that he’s back and fit with us soon," Kobel told Amazon Prime.
Summer Signings Impacted by Injuries
Karetsas joined Dortmund during the recent summer transfer window, arriving alongside fellow Greek international Giannis Konstantelias. Both were part of a significant investment in young talent, with Karetsas costing around €30 million (£25.7m/$34.9m) from Genk and Konstantelias joining for €26 million (£22.3m/$30.2m) from PAOK.
Unfortunately, their seasons have been marred by setbacks. Konstantelias suffered a serious ACL injury during his Bundesliga debut last month, likely ending his season early. These injuries pose challenges for manager Niko Kovac as the team faces a busy schedule domestically and in Europe.
Dortmund Secures Victory Amid Difficult Circumstances
Despite the unsettling events, Dortmund rallied to claim a 3-2 win in Spain. When Karetsas left the pitch, the score was still 0-0, but the game opened up afterward. Guirassy, marking his 100th appearance for the club, scored twice late in the match, pushing Dortmund ahead and overtaking Robert Lewandowski’s goal tally for the club.
The victory keeps Dortmund’s hopes alive in the Champions League, but attention remains focused on Karetsas’ health and recovery.
- Match: Borussia Dortmund vs Villarreal
- Date: September 2026
- Score: Dortmund 3 - 2 Villarreal
- Karetsas’ Age: 18 years
- Transfer Fee: €30 million from Genk
- Konstantelias Injury: ACL injury, likely season-ending
