Fans fear for Michael Jordan’s health after worrying photos emerge from Monaco trip

NBA legend was pictured attending the soccer match between Monaco and Barcelona

Published Sep 20, 2024  •  2 minute read

Basketball legend Michael Jordan attends the UEFA Champions League football match between AS Monaco and FC Barcelona at the Louis II Stadium in the Principality of Monaco. Getty Images

Michael Jordan has sparked some fears for his health after photos of the NBA legend went viral this week.

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Jordan was spotted attending the Champions League matchup between Monaco and Barcelona on Thursday, with photos being posted online of the six-time NBA champion in a box at Louis II Stadium in the European principality.

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Commenters were quick to point out Jordan’s eyes, which were a worryingly shade of yellow.

“Why the hell MJ out here with JAUNDICE tho? Eyes lookin like a Vampire In Brooklyn,” one user wrote on X.

“Are we surprised? Bro drinks like a fish,” a second replied.

While some raised their concerns comedically, other fans took a more serious tone.

“Man got all the girls, money, fame and accomplishments anyone could ask for yet is still on the path to an early death. Sucks,” one fan commented.

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“As someone who grew up in a family full of alcoholism and drug abuse, and someone who idolized this man, I know what those eyes mean,” another user grimly wrote. “This makes me sad, man.”

The basketball hall of famer had previously sparked concerns among fans after the release of The Last Dance, a documentary series about his final season with the Chicago Bulls in 1997-98.

Jordan was interviewed for the Netflix show and appeared regularly with a yellow tint to his eyes, a common symptom of the liver disease jaundice.

Jaundice is often caused by the over-consumption of alcohol and leads the sufferer’s skin and eyes to turn yellow.

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Shortly after the series aired, ophthalmologist Dr. Val Phua told VICE: “Yellow eyes should not be ignored because they are a sign of something more going on. There is literally more than meets the eye.

“Leaving eye conditions untreated includes compromise in vision and even blindness,” Phua said. “His eyes are slightly discoloured, which may point to jaundice, but there seems to also be a slightly raised lesion on the eye, which can point to something local causing the discoloration like a pinguecula.”

Jordan, who was in attendance with wife Yvette Prieto, recently sold his Chicago-area mansion which had been on the market since 2012, fetching an eye-popping $14.8 million US.

According to Forbes, Jordan, who recently sold his majority stake in the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets, is worth an estimated $3.2 billion. He also owns and operates NASCAR team 23XI Racing with former champion Denny Hamlin.

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