Fac1
22-10-2006, 08:02 AM
Guardalben relives injury horror
Sunday 22 October, 2006
Matteo Guardalben may never play again after suffering a temporary paralysis during a training ground collision.
The Vicenza goalkeeper was accidentally kneed in the back of the neck by teammate Trevor Trevisan in a game between ranks on October 4.
“I was paralysed from the neck down for around an hour. I was just lying on the ground unable to move my legs or arms. Then for three or four days I had serious problems moving,” he explained.
“I’m much better now, but in those moments my whole life flashed before my eyes. I thought I’d never be able to hold my children again and would be useless to them. I even hoped I’d be given an injection to end it all. Now the worst has passed, thankfully.”
This is one of several goalkeeping accidents that have happened in the past month, as Chelsea’s Petr Cech underwent surgery for a fractured skull.
“I will need an operation on the base of my skull and I don’t know yet if I’ll be able to play ever again,” added Guardalben. “I’ll try to do everything I can to continue my career.”
The 32-year-old is one of Italy’s most experienced shot-stoppers. He started his career at Verona in 1992-93, moving on to Massese, Parma, Piacenza, Palermo and joined Vicenza this summer after a second spell at the Tardini.
He also received three call-ups for international duty, although he was never used by the Azzurri.
Thankfully he's alive and no longer paralysed, but still very tragic. I wish him the best in his recovery. Hopefully he can play again, he was good with Palermo.
Sunday 22 October, 2006
Matteo Guardalben may never play again after suffering a temporary paralysis during a training ground collision.
The Vicenza goalkeeper was accidentally kneed in the back of the neck by teammate Trevor Trevisan in a game between ranks on October 4.
“I was paralysed from the neck down for around an hour. I was just lying on the ground unable to move my legs or arms. Then for three or four days I had serious problems moving,” he explained.
“I’m much better now, but in those moments my whole life flashed before my eyes. I thought I’d never be able to hold my children again and would be useless to them. I even hoped I’d be given an injection to end it all. Now the worst has passed, thankfully.”
This is one of several goalkeeping accidents that have happened in the past month, as Chelsea’s Petr Cech underwent surgery for a fractured skull.
“I will need an operation on the base of my skull and I don’t know yet if I’ll be able to play ever again,” added Guardalben. “I’ll try to do everything I can to continue my career.”
The 32-year-old is one of Italy’s most experienced shot-stoppers. He started his career at Verona in 1992-93, moving on to Massese, Parma, Piacenza, Palermo and joined Vicenza this summer after a second spell at the Tardini.
He also received three call-ups for international duty, although he was never used by the Azzurri.
Thankfully he's alive and no longer paralysed, but still very tragic. I wish him the best in his recovery. Hopefully he can play again, he was good with Palermo.