September 26th 2024.
Sergio Rico's contract with Paris Saint-Germain came to an end this summer. But the former Fulham goalkeeper has bounced back in a miraculous way after suffering a terrible head injury last summer. And now, he's on the verge of signing a lucrative deal with Al-Gharafa, a Qatari team.
Last year, in May 2023, Rico was involved in a scary horse-riding accident in the Spanish province of Huelva. It was so serious that he had to be airlifted to the hospital. The 31-year-old was in critical condition and had to be put into a coma for three weeks. The football community showed their love and support for him during this difficult time.
Reports from Spanish media stated that Rico had collided with a runaway horse and was just half a centimeter away from certain death. Sadly, this injury put an end to his time with Paris Saint-Germain. He didn't get to make any appearances for the Ligue 1 giants last season. In June, it was announced that Rico's contract with PSG had expired and he was now a free agent. He has been in talks with Al-Gharafa ever since and according to sources, he's now in Qatar to finalize the deal.
Al-Gharafa is getting an experienced player with an impressive track record. Rico has won two Europa League trophies and two Ligue 1 titles in his career. In an interview, he shared how he lost around 20kg during his time in the hospital and joked that he looked like a toothpick. But he also revealed that it was his love for football that helped him get through this difficult time.
Rico also shared how his doctor told him that his athletic lifestyle may have saved his life. He said, "Everything revolves around football; football is my life." The doctor also mentioned that one of his arteries was slightly thicker due to his active lifestyle, which may have played a role in his survival. Rico feels lucky to be alive and grateful that he can continue playing the sport he loves.
He recalled the moment when a doctor told him there was a chance he could play again. He said he almost jumped out of his hospital bed in excitement. "Life is very important. No one wants to die, but if I had to stop playing football, it wouldn't have been worth it," Rico added. His determination and love for the game kept him going and now he's ready to start a new chapter with Al-Gharafa.
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