Sergio Rico: Blow by Blow Account of How Psg Star Suffered Harrowing Horse Accident

• Paris Saint Germain goalkeeper Sergio Rico admitted he felt lucky to be alive following a freak accident
• His sentiments came after harrowing details of his accident emerged online
• The PSG goalkeeper went into coma after the incident in his native Spain on May 28

Paris Saint Germain goalkeeper Sergio Rico said he felt “fortunate” to be alive after a freak accident, and he is extremely justified to feel that way.

Rico, 29, was in coma and fighting for his life after a freak incident on May 28.

While details were initially scanty, fresh reports of how the goalkeeper suffered the accident have emerged, and it is not pretty.

According to The Athletic, Sergio Rico was trampled by a horse, and only just escaped the ordeal with his life.

In the wake of Paris Saint Germain’s Ligue 1 triumph, Sergio Rico flew to the South of Spain, while some of his teammates went together to Monaco, where the Formula 1 Grand Prix was to take place.

15 best footballers who smoke: A list of footballers who take the occasional puff

Football

But Rico decided to visit El Rocio, a tiny Andalusian village, and this is where he was met with the unfortunate incident.

Catholic pilgrims are welcomed to El Rocio every year in a religious practice that spans decades, and they travel to the small village either on horseback or using a donkey, according to andalucia.org.

During the event, many of the houses in El Rocio’s are left open, with food and drinks offered freely to everyone.

The area reportedly has 127 religious brotherhoods, and PSG star Rico belongs to one ‘Brotherhood of Redemption”.

Having lost his father two years ago, the 29-year old was particularly determined to be in attendance of this latest edition of the religious event.

Rico’s freak accident

The Athletic further cites a police report which indicates Rico arrived at a friend’s house at 7 am on May 28 after travelling there on a horseback.

He returned to the horse an hour later, and there happened to be an agitated donkey nearby which somehow managed to break free.

The biggest World Cup snubs: A list of footballers left out of their countries’ World Cup squad

Football

In the confusion, the donkey lodged a cart which startled Rico’s horse, which then stood on its hind legs, toppling the goalkeeper to the ground.

The horse, in a cruel case of bad luck, then struck Rico on the head and neck as his front hooves came down.

The aftermath

Andalusian emergency services are then reported to have received a call at around 8:15 am about someone “who had fallen off a horse”, and they acted swiftly as a doctor arrived after half an hour in a Land Rover.

Rico lost consciousness immediately after he was struck by the horse’s hooves, and doctors told him all this would have been a completely different story if the injury was half a centimetre deeper since his spinal cord was not adversely hit.

After a 19-day coma, Rico can finally speak on the incident and he was the first one to admit he is very ‘fortunate’.

Footballers who came from poverty: Zero to hero stories in soccer

Football

"I am still working on my recovery, which each day is getting better," he said on his Instagram story.

"I feel very fortunate. Once more, thank you to everyone and I hope to be able to see you soon."

Van der Sar in ICU

Sports Brief also reported on Manchester United legend Edwin Van der Sar’s condition as he is admitted in ICU with ‘bleeding around his brain’.

According to Ajax, the former goalkeeper is in stable condition, and more information will be provided.

He reportedly was in Croatia when he was admitted to the hospital. United sent him a message of support on Twitter.