A FOOTBALLER has had to have his spleen removed in an emergency op following a horror collision.
Iker Fernandez Valderrama was left writhing in agony on the ground after a rival goalie smashed into him near the halfway line.
The 23-year-old futsal player managed to get to his feet briefly as he clutched his left side and teammates interrupted their protests at the goalkeeper’s violent tackle to come to his aid.
After being helped to stay calm and keep breathing as best he could, Iker was stretchered off the pitch and rushed to hospital where it was confirmed he had broken three ribs and suffered internal damage that required the removal of his spleen.
The horror collision happened just 20 seconds into the match between home team Gasifred Atletico Ibiza and Union Africa Ceuti.
The away team goalie Mario Gomes, filmed comforting Iker as he realised the damage he had done, received a red card for his challenge outside of the penalty area.
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The game ended in a 2-1 victory for Iker’s team.
The footballer was still in intensive care this morning at Ibiza’s Can Misses Hospital following his op but is expected to be transferred to a normal ward later today as he continues his recovery.
Iker, who used to play for Barcelona B’s futsal team, was enjoying his fourth season with his current club after renewing again with them in the summer.
One fan said at the time he agreed to stay on: “An example of a player that gives everything in every game.
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“Congratulations on your renovation. A top futsal player.”
Angel Murillo Lopez added: “Great player. He deserves this contract renewal.”
Iker reposted a photo on his Instagram as he recovered in hospital, showing his teammates holding up selfie pictures of him on their mobiles as they wished him all the best and dedicating their home win to him.
The sportsman’s club reposted messages of support from other futsal teams on its social media, with one from third division Ibiza side CD San Pablo saying: “We send all our strength and support to Gasified player Iker, a companion in this sport. Swift recovery.”
Another from CD Ibiza Futsal said: “We wish you a speedy recovery and send you lots of hugs.”
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Last month another Spanish futsal star died in a freak accident after a shard of glass from a broken shop window pierced his stomach.
Ernest Queralt, 38, a futsal player with a Catalan team, was fatally injured after accidentally falling against the window of a bookstore.
The victim was rushed to hospital in the east coast Spanish city of Tarragona but died soon after arrival.
The incident happened just before 7am on Saturday on October 25 in a street leading to the old market square in nearby Reus.
Tecnovit Alforja, the team in Alforja near Reus he captained and helped get off the ground, said in an online tribute at the time after cancelling games as a mark of respect: “We regret to announce that yesterday Ernest, our ‘Nestu’, left us.
“We have no words to describe how we feel today and the void he leaves among us all.
“Founder, player, coach, coordinator, CAPTAIN, but above all, a fan of this crest, this town, and these colours.
“We will continue to instil your values, dedication, commitment, camaraderie, competitiveness in our players, and through them we will keep your memory and legacy alive, which, like you, will be eternal. Always yours, rest in peace, friend. We love you.”
At the start of last September a goalie collapsed and died seconds after saving a penalty by stopping it with his chest.
Antonio Edson dos Santos Sousa was filmed on a live online feed falling to the ground as he went to high five an overjoyed teammate.
Fellow players and officials reacted by calling on medics to assist the 34-year-old but he was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at hospital following failed attempts to revive him.
The tragedy occurred during a five-a-side futsal match at a gym in the municipality of Augusto Correa in the northern Brazilian state of Para.
The goalie who died, better-known to family and friends by his nickname of Pixe, was playing for a team called Sind Motos in an amateur tournament organised to coincide with the commemoration of the week of Brazil’s independence from Portugal more than 200 years ago.
Futsal is an association football-based game played on a hard court which is a variation of mini football.
It is played between two teams of five players each, one of whom is the goalie.
The main consequence of spleen removal is an increased lifelong risk of serious infection from certain bacteria.
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Other consequences include an increased risk of blood clots and some long-term complications like pneumonia and certain cancers.
People without spleens can live a normal life, but risks have to be mitigated through strict precautions and medical management.
