:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46263170/GettyImages-471543960.0.jpg)
In a cruel twist of fate for the longest-serving Chelsea player* without a Premier League title, Ramires had to miss Sunday's title celebrations when he had to go to hospital just prior to kick-off against Crystal Palace. He had even been already announced as a starter on the right wing! The poor guy...
Am hearing unconfirmed reports, via Brazilian TV, of Ramires being taken to hospital - with a suspected kidney problem. More when I get it.
— Dan Levene (@BluesChronicle) May 3, 2015
Kidney problem sounds fairly ominous, but apparently it's just the painful kind, rather than the life-threatening kind.
According to Brazilian press with information coming from player's agent, Ramires is suffering from kidney stones.
— Rupert Fryer (@Rupert_Fryer) May 3, 2015
It's not often you hear of professional athletes suffering from kidney stones; it's a condition I associate with poor diets and people in non-peak physical condition. Regardless, kidney stones are very painful.
Mourinho, when asked about Ramires, said only that he had been taken ill. His representatives don't seem too concerned though.
— Dan Levene (@BluesChronicle) May 3, 2015
Mourinho: "Ramires went to hospital. He was feeling so bad that we decided to take him out of the dressing room and take him to hospital."
— Chelsea HQ (@Chelsea_HQ) May 3, 2015
Mourinho: "I'm going to visit Ramires now. Maybe he's not there anymore, but he was feeling really bad, really ill."
— Chelsea HQ (@Chelsea_HQ) May 3, 2015
Mourinho, top man, top manager. Get well soon, Ramires! We'll save some champagne for ya.
* Technically, Ramires was just the third signing of the 2010 summer transfer window, but Benayoun is no longer here and Tomas Kalas has spent more time away from the club than at it since.