The news quickly darkened the hours following PSG's eleventh France championship title won Saturday night in Strasbourg. Present on the bench in Alsace, the Spanish substitute goalkeeper Sergio Rico was the victim of an accident Sunday in Andalusia that required his hospitalization. Here we know about the condition of the 29-year-old.
What happened?
The day after the draw (1-1) of the Parisians in Alsace, Sergio Rico is in Andalusia, a region in southern Spain where the goalkeeper is from. According to La Cadena Cope, the player performs the Pentecost pilgrimage of El Rocio, named after his village in the province of Huelva, accompanied by his companion, Alba Silva, and several friends. The accident reportedly took place around 8:30 a.m. If the precise circumstances are still unclear, it seems that the player was hit by a horse.
Several Spanish media report that Sergio Rico was on horseback when the accident occurred, which we are not able to confirm. PSG told AFP that the player had been the victim of a horse accident. The emergency service of the autonomous community of Andalusia assured Cadena Cope that several people had called it in the early morning to warn them "of a man of about 30 years old wounded in the head". On his website, he mentions an accident "of a rider" that fits this description, without giving the identity of the victim. The latter was transported by helicopter to the Virgen del Rocio Hospital in Seville.
What condition is the player in?
According to several sources, the condition of the goalkeeper who arrived in 2019 in the capital is considered "serious". Still quoted by the Cadena Cope, the Andalusian emergency services evoke "a serious prognosis due to a head trauma". Spanish sports daily Marca also described Sergio Rico's situation as "serious".
The Spanish guard has since been placed under observation in hospital. At the end of the day, the entourage of the 29-year-old player prefers to wait for the evolution in the coming hours of his condition to decide more on the consequences on his health. It is unclear whether Sergio Rico is conscious or not at this time. The Cadena Cope claims that the player was sedated.
How did the club and the players react?
PSG reacted officially in the afternoon, via a message posted on its Twitter account. "Paris Saint-Germain has learned of the accident of its player Sergio Rico this Sunday and remains in permanent contact with his loved ones, writes the club on the social network. The entire Red and Blue community gives them its full support. »
Paris Saint-Germain became aware of the accident of its player Sergio Rico this Sunday and remains in constant contact with his relatives.
The entire Red and Blue community gives them its full support.
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_inside) May 28, 2023
Paris midfielder Marco Verratti, present at the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix, posted on Instagram a photo of the Spanish goalkeeper accompanied by an emoji of hands clasped praying. Sergio Rico has also received messages of support from La Liga's official account, as well as from his former club Sevilla FC. "A lot of strength and get back quickly," wrote the Andalusian club. He was also immersed in waiting.