Women’s World Cup star collapses in scary scenes months after beating cancer

There was a moment of panic in Colombia’s latest training session at the FIFA Women’s World Cup when star player Linda Caicedo collapsed to the turf clutching her chest on Thursday while running around the team’s training pitch. The Real Madrid Femenino forward netted a crucial second for her country on Tuesday in their 2-0 victory over South Korea but there were fears her tournament could be over following the scary incident ahead of Sunday’s clash with Germany.

Footage shows Caicedo was jogging around the pitch at the Marconi Stadium on the outskirts of Sydney when she suddenly collapsed to the turf unexpectedly.

She was quickly accompanied by frightened team-mates who jumped to her assistance as she laid helplessly on the floor.

Thankfully, a spokesperson from the Colombia Football Federation has since confirmed that Caicedo is fit and healthy, stating: “Linda Caicedo had severe chest pain and preferred to take a breather.”

It’s understood the 18-year-old fainted during the session and the issue is not being treated as a serious medical condition.

Caicedo is one of the biggest talents at the tournament, capping her incredible rise in the past few years when she miraculously shook off ovarian cancer.

The attacker received the devastating diagnosis at the age of 15 before making a remarkable recovery and sealing her return to the sport as she continued to chase her dreams.

She was named Player of the Tournament at the 2022 Copa America Femenina as Colombia reached the final.

In early 2023, she would seal a dream transfer to Real Madrid Femenino where she has already scored twice and assisted four times in 10 appearances.

Caicedo recently told Mundo Deportivo: “The day they were going to operate on me, I thought I would not be able to return to top-level football.”

The teenager has since paid tribute to Colombia coach Nelson Abadia, who has known her since the age of 12, for ensuring she hit the ground running on her return to action.

She added “He told me to ‘relax, you’re going to come back.’ You can survive. I am an example of that.”

Thankfully, Caicedo was able to return to the field of play following the incident and it’s understood she is in line to feature this weekend for Colombia.