Sergio Rico: ”Football is my life, nobody wants to die, but if I have to quit, it won’t be worth it”

Sergio Rico suffered a serious accident in May 2023 that he had until 26 days in a coma, where he played his most important game, life. The head trauma after falling from a horse in El Rocío, in Huelva, seems to have ended his sports career, something the former Sevilla player has repeated time and time again that, fortunately, will not happen. He prepares with the necessary care and with the enthusiasm of a child to enjoy his passion again.

In an interview with ‘Canal + Foot’ he explained his feelings and his future plans. ”The doctor was very surprised and started to explain to me that I had a serious accident. He told me that despite that I knew how to play soccer. Since then, I feel better. I almost jumped out of the hospital bed. Life is very important. Nobody wants to die, but if I had to stop playing football, it wouldn’t be worth it”.

Being an elite athlete saved him

Sergio has played football all his life, so he can’t imagine a life where he can’t be between the sticks saving goals. ”I liken everything to football, my life is football. The doctor said, in the end one of my veins is a little thicker or bigger than someone who doesn’t play much. “I’m very lucky to be alive because this is so serious and my life is at stake.”

Are you taking any risks by returning?

Everyone is wondering if there is any risk in returning to playing sports and football at the highest level. The goalkeeper, knowing that he cannot rush, follows all the measures prescribed by the doctors. “The doctors said there is a risk in terms of balance, but it is perfect. It is almost a miracle that he is doing well. I should not exceed 130 beats per minute. Everything I can do without exceeding this limit, I do .”

The Spaniard still has a contract with PSG until June 2024, his future is a mystery. However, his concern is to feel like a footballer again, no matter what club it is.