Konstantinos Karetsas was one of the protagonists of one of the most concerning episodes in the 2026-27 UEFA Champions League opening fixture after having to be stretchered off the field but not due to an injury. After the concerning scenes, Borussia Dortmund shared a statemend addressing the Greece player’s status.
With Dortmund hosting the game against Villarreal, Karetsas was included in the starting lineup by coach Niko Kovac, before a sudden exit n the first half. Karetsas had the ball but played it back and dropped to the ground in the 23rd minute, prompting the club’s medical staff to jump to the field to assess him.
Far from being a muscular or osseous issue, Karetsas was touching his abdominal zone, and was unable to walk off the field by his own. After some minutes of medical assessment, the attacking midfielder exited the field in the 27th minute, in a situation that raised eyebrows over the nature of the issue.
While the game was still going, Borussia Dortmund released a statement addressing the player’s situation: “Konstantinos Karetsas had to leave the field due to circulatory problems. Kosta is doing well under the circumstances and is on his way to the hospital for further tests.”
*Developing story…
