Borussia Dortmund teenager Konstantinos Karetsas was hospitalized following a medical emergency during his Champions League debut on Tuesday. The 18-year-old Greek prospect collapsed on the pitch 25 minutes into the match against Villarreal, which Dortmund eventually won 3-2. After passing the ball to a teammate, Karetsas signaled his distress to the referee and sat on the grass before receiving medical attention and being carried off on a stretcher.
In a statement released late Tuesday, the German club confirmed that the midfielder had to leave the field due to “circulatory problems.” The club added that the player is “doing well under the circumstances” and is undergoing further medical examinations at a hospital. Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel expressed his support for his teammate, telling broadcasters, “I hope and I think that everything is OK, and I hope that he’s back and fit with us soon.”
Karetsas, a former Belgium youth international who chose to represent Greece, joined Dortmund in the off-season for $34.9m from Genk. He signed a five-year deal running through June 2031. Dortmund sporting director Ole Book previously praised the youngster’s technical skill and game intelligence, noting his ability to find solutions in tight spaces. Since making his international debut for Greece in March 2025, Karetsas has recorded three goals in 10 appearances.
The club’s other major summer signing, 23-year-old Giannis Konstantelias, who arrived from PAOK for $30.2m, is currently sidelined after suffering an ACL injury during his Bundesliga debut last month. Karetsas had previously drawn significant interest from various clubs after a standout season at Genk, where he provided 11 assists in 28 Jupiler Pro League matches. The report also notes that the score was 0-0 at the time in what became a 3-2 win for Dortmund. The report also notes that “He is technically very skilled and has the ability to find quick solutions in tight spaces, especially in the final third.”.
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