A Brazilian football player suffered a head injury when he collided with a wall next to the field during a game.
Melkzedeck de Sousa Fernandes, a defender, narrowly avoided serious injury after crashing headfirst into a concrete wall. The incident happened after a tackle near the opponent’s goal.
The game was paused as players quickly came to help him, worried about a potentially severe injury.
Melk, as he is commonly known, was taken off the field on a stretcher and transported to the hospital in an ambulance.
His club, Atletico Piauiense, reported that the 20-year-old had a facial cut that needed stitches. However, doctors stated after examinations that there were no signs of any serious long-term effects.
This event occurred during an away game against Parnahyba Sport Club in Brazil’s Serie D yesterday.
Video footage of the incident shows Melk holding his head and appearing semi-conscious after the impact.
Both teammates and opponents urgently requested medical assistance, and an ambulance arrived on the field shortly after to take the injured player away.
Melk was conscious but confused as he was placed in the ambulance, with blood visible from a head wound.
Atletico Piauiense, who won the match 3-1, announced on social media: “Melk was admitted to Dirceu Arcoverde Hospital, where he received treatment and stitches.
“He is awake and doing well.
“We are continuing to monitor his progress and provide him with all necessary support.”
Fans and supporters have expressed their well-wishes to the player.
One person commented that the wall should be removed from its current location.
In 2015, an Argentinian footballer died after hitting a wall beside the pitch during a match.
Following the death of Emanuel Ortega, the Argentinian FA started requiring that walls near pitches be covered with protective padding.
Emanuel Ortega, 21, playing for San Martin de Burzaco, passed away in May 2015, 11 days after the incident. He was in a coma after surgery to reduce brain pressure.
The wall he collided with separated the field from the stands. He hit the back of his head after losing balance from a tackle. The opposing player who tackled him was the first to react and call for help for the unconscious footballer.
