In a heartwarming story of resilience and determination, Spanish goalkeeper Sergio Rico is set to make a remarkable return to football just 10 months after suffering a life-threatening brain aneurysm.
The 28-year-old, who plays for Paris Saint-Germain, was placed in an induced coma for 26 days following a fall from a horse in May 2023. He spent a total of 82 days in hospital, during which time he lost 20kg and underwent intensive rehabilitation.
In an interview with COPE in December, Rico spoke about the severity of his condition and how he was told by doctors that he would have died if not for his peak physical condition.
“The doctor was very surprised and started explaining to me that I had had a serious accident,” Rico said. “He told me that yes, I could [play football again]. From that moment on, I felt relieved. I almost jumped out of the hospital bed. Life is very important. Nobody wants to die, but if I had had to stop playing football, it wouldn’t have been worth it.”
Rico’s return to the pitch is a testament to his incredible courage and fighting spirit. He is an inspiration to all those who have faced adversity, and his story is a reminder that anything is possible with hard work and determination.
The Athletic reports that Rico is expected to return to PSG in the coming days, where he will provide competition for Keylor Navas between the posts.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings