"May the Holy Spirit help Sergio Rico." It is 12:30 this Wednesday in the church of the Madeleine (Paris VIII) when the priest of the parish begins the mass of tribute and support to the goalkeeper of PSG. Even if the latest news communicated by the hospital of Seville evokes a slight improvement, the condition of the Spanish footballer, victim of an accident on horseback on May 28, remains "serious".
No member of Sergio Rico's family or PSG representative was among the audience. On the other hand, of the twenty people present in the church, half are supporters of the club. Like Francis, 63, who has been supporting Paris since 1975, there was no question of missing this moment. "We do it for Rico!" he says. There are very few supporters but that's because it's the middle of the week. We are all behind him! I'm here to send positive vibes to Sergio and to represent all the supporters of Auteuil. I even put the jersey on! ".
Even the youngest were affected by the fate of the second Parisian goalkeeper. Augustin, 13, wearing Messi's shirt on his back, came to attend the mass accompanied by his father. "I came to pray for Sergio," he says. We must all be united with him so that he can do as well as possible." Others like Cécile, 28, perceive something symbolic in this Mass. "Praying for him I think it's beautiful. He who is very religious and who had his accident in the middle of a pilgrimage, it would touch him to see that we gathered to pray for him.
There were not only PSG supporters on Wednesday, regulars were also present like Pascal: "I did not know Sergio Rico but his accident hurt me a lot. I often come to pay my respects here, it was normal for me to take an interest in him and support him in this ordeal."
At the end of the Mass, sixteen candles were placed at the foot of the future sports chapel which will be blessed and inaugurated on September 9. Sixteen candles in tribute to the number worn by Sergio Rico at PSG and brandished by Kylian Mbappé in the Parisian sky after scoring Saturday against Clermont at the Parc des Princes.