Saint-Germain goalkeeper in 'critical' condition after horse riding accident

Paris Saint-Germain's substitute goalkeeper, Spaniard Sergio Rico, is in a "critical" condition after suffering a horseback riding accident, the Parisian club confirmed today. The 29-year-old Spaniard was on the bench with Saint-Germain, who won the French league title yesterday by drawing 1-1 with hosts Strasbourg, before heading to Spain where the incident occurred in El Rocío.

A spokesman for the French club said he was "in critical condition", while Spanish newspaper Marca reported he was "stable". Rico was taken by helicopter to Seville's Vergen del Rocío Hospital, where he was placed on resuscitation, according to local channel Canal Sur and Spanish news agency Efe, citing medical sources. Sevilla, for whom Rico previously played, wrote on his Twitter account: "We wish you strength and a speedy recovery."

Sevilla-born Rico won the Europa League twice with his hometown team, before moving on loan to Fulham in the Premier League in 2019. The goalkeeper then moved to Paris Saint-Germain on loan in 2019 as well, before becoming an official transfer in 2020. Rico was loaned from the French side to Real Mallorca in January 2022, before returning to Saint-Germain this season. He made 24 appearances for Paris Saint-Germain and earned one cap for Spain.