Sevilla pay tribute to former goalkeeper Sergio Rico ahead of Europa League final clash with Roma
‘Come on, Sergio, we’re with you!’: Sevilla pay tribute to former goalkeeper Rico ahead of the Europa League final with Roma after the PSG star was hospitalized when he fell off a horse
- Sergio Rico received a statement of support from his old club on Wednesday
- The Spanish goalkeeper spent most of his career with Sevilla before joining PSG
- Follow the action LIVE from Budapest as Sevilla take on Jose Mourinho’s Roma
Sevilla players paid tribute to their former team-mate Sergio Rico on Wednesday ahead of their Europa League final.
The Spanish side faced Roma in the final of Europe’s second-tier league at Budapest’s Puskas Arena.
However, before the match started, the record winners took the opportunity to send a message of solidarity to their ex-stopper Rico.
The Spanish stopper suffered a head injury after falling from a horse and was airlifted to a hospital in Seville by helicopter on Sunday morning.
The Rojiblancos all unveiled a T-shirt under their match shirt with the message: ‘Come on, Sergio, we are with you!’.
The Sevilla players all wore t-shirts with the message ‘Come on, Sergio, we are with you!’ for the game
Jesus Navas showed the tribute message for Rico, who has spent most of his career with Sevilla
It was the club’s first match since their former star’s accident was reported, and the club did not hesitate to send their thoughts to the 29-year-old.
It wasn’t an ideal start to the game as their unbeaten Europa League finals record faced that of Roma boss Jose Mourinho.
Paulo Dybala, who had held a questionable lead in the game, was on the scoresheet in the 35th minute to give the Italian side a perfect start in a feverish Puskas Arena.
The player spent most of his career with Sevilla, but has also been loaned out to the likes of Fulham and PSG, eventually signing permanently in 2020 in a £5.2 million deal.
Rico is said to have made a pilgrimage to Huelva on horseback when he got off his horse.
PSG players had been given the day off by manager Christophe Galtier after clinching the Ligue 1 title on Saturday, with the player returning to his hometown of Sevilla before beginning his journey on horseback.
Rico has received messages of support from the football community following his accident, with Sevilla wishing him a ‘speedy recovery’ on Twitter.
His wife Alba Silva has been posting on social media while her husband is in hospital.
Rico signed for Paris Saint-Germain on a permanent basis in 2020 after an initial loan
Paulo Dybala gave Roma an early lead in the final at the Puskas Arena in Budapest
She had initially posted a positive message online, saying: ‘Thank you for all the love you have for us.
“Sergio has a lot of people praying for him and he is very strong. I have no words to describe what I feel.’
On Tuesday, however, she sent a second, perhaps more disturbing message, writing, “Don’t leave me, my love, for I swear I can’t.” I don’t know how to live without you. We love you very much.’
A gala dinner hosted by Paris Saint-Germain was canceled on Tuesday evening, with club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi expressing his support for Rico’s loved ones.