Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Sergio Rico has received medical clearance to return to football 11 months on from his life-threatening accident.
The 30-year-old completed tests with PSG doctors on Saturday and has been declared ready to train and play competitively again. He is not expected to wear protective headgear upon his return to competitive action as doctors have not recommended so.
Rico has undergone satisfactory tests in Seville, at the French Football Federation (FFF) and finally at PSG in which his cardiovascular system, his neurological capacity and his cervical vertebrae were checked.
Now it only remains for the club to process with the French social security his return to training, which is expected to be a matter of days.
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Meanwhile, Rico has returned to Sevilla after a tribute at the Parc des Princes last Wednesday in the 1-0 win over Rennes.
Rico was hit by a mule cart and a runaway horse while on a pilgrimage in Spain on May 28, 2023 and suffered major head and neck injuries.
He had travelled to Almonte, Huelva, in the province of Andalucia in his native Spain following PSG’s 1-1 draw against Strasbourg on May 27, a result that secured the Ligue 1 title. The goalkeeper was there to attend El Rocio, a pilgrimage which involves a procession that includes people walking, riders on horseback and carts.
Rico’s family said following the accident: “Sergio Rico travelled last night from Strasbourg to Malaga and there to El Rocio, with the permission of the club after PSG won Ligue 1. After just over an hour and a half with his family and friends, he was on his way to the Pontifical Mass next to the chapel when he suffered an accident when a mule cart and a runaway horse hit him.”
Rico spent the 2018-19 season on loan at Premier League side Fulham (Christopher Lee/Getty Images)
He had several operations to address the severe injuries and brain trauma he suffered, before being placed in the hands of doctors and specialists for dedicated care. The Spaniard was in a coma for 19 days and spent 36 days in intensive care at the Virgen del Rocio Hospital in Seville.
Rico was discharged from intensive care in July and then discharged from hospital a month later.
He last played competitive club football for Mallorca in May 2022, having spent the second half of the season at the Spanish club on loan from PSG.
Rico is a product of the Sevilla academy and made nearly 200 appearances for his hometown club. He spent a season on loan at Fulham in 2018-19, playing 29 times, before joining PSG in 2020.
(CRISTINA QUICLER/AFP via Getty Images)
2024-04-11 10:32:13
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