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Soccer star Alberth Elis was placed in a medically induced coma after surgery following a devastating head injury while playing for Bordeaux in France’s Ligue 2 over the weekend.
Elis, a former MLS winger, was less than one minute into the match at Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux on Saturday night when he and Guingamp defender Donatien Gomis had a terrifying collision and clash of heads.
The 28-year-old was knocked unconscious and taken off of the field on a stretcher before immediately being rushed to the local hospital.
Elis’s health will be monitored over the next few days.
“We will follow the evolution of his state of health in the hospital in the coming days. At this moment, it is still impossible to comment on Alberth’s vital and functional prognosis. The Club therefore expects not to be able to communicate new decisive information for a few days and will not make any further comments on Alberth’s state of health,” the club said in a statement.
The club said it could not offer any conclusive medical updates in the meantime.
W…+3…✅…dedicated to our pantera 🐆 Alberth Elis, have a good recovery ❤️🩹🙏🏻
Applause to you, to the most important of football, to the actors (the players) & the fans (supporters)…this show belongs to you!
Both together creates a strong cocktail 🍹 @girondins pic.twitter.com/98t4YYyEJp— Albert Riera (@11RIERA11) February 24, 2024
Bordeaux went on to win the game, 1-0, with manager Albert Riera dedicating the win to Elis.
“We warmly thank all those who have shown their support for Alberth and those close to him, in particular the clubs across France. Your words warm our hearts and are a great strength in the fight that Alberth is waging,” team president Gérard Lopez said in a statement of his own.
Elis formerly played for the Houston Dynamo of MLS, Liga MX club Monterrey, and Boavista in Portugal before joining the French club.
The Honduran native plays for his country’s national team, and has scored 13 goals in 60 appearances.
We wish Elis a full and speedy recovery.