Paris Saint-Germain striker Goncalo Ramos has revealed how a colon infection left him "bleeding and vomiting" for 20 days over the festive period.
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Ramos opened up about early struggles in ParisJoined PSG permanently in NovemberScored three goals in first half of seasonWHAT HAPPENED?
The Portuguese striker initially joined Paris Saint-Germain on loan from Benfica but the transfer was made permanent in November after the club agreed to pay a massive transfer fee of €80 million (£70m/$87m). Ramos, though, failed to live up to the hype as he scored just three Ligue 1 goals in the first half of the season.
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Ramos has now opened up about his early struggles in France, telling "I had a difficult December. I started with a virus, which then turned into a colon infection. I spent 20 days bleeding and vomiting, unable to eat, and with very high fevers. I ended up going to the hospital four or five times and being put on a drip. I lost eight kilos and I was in the middle of an adaptation period in France, so this mishap did not help.
"Then I had to put weight back on in the middle of the season, doing preseason in January, which is not easy. I was a bit lucky because it's a quieter month in terms of competitions, but it was difficult to get back into rhythm after losing so much weight. I started on the 10th of December and didn't train until the 21st. I had a relapse at Christmas, went to the hospital and didn't come back until the 30th. That's when I got back, on the 30th, that I started training 100%."
Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Things have changed for the Portugal international since the turn of the year, as he has scored six goals in 12 games across all competitions to earn a regular spot in Luis Enrique's starting lineup.
Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR GONCALO RAMOS?
The 25-year-old will be next seen in action for Portugal, who are scheduled to face Sweden and Slovenia in two international friendlies on March 21 and March 26 respectively.