Porto players were left in tears on the pitch after right-back Nanu was knocked unconscious in a horrific collision in his side’s 0-0 draw at Belenenses on Thursday.
The 26-year-old collided in the air with opposition goalkeeper Stanislav Kritsyuk and landed on his head, with an ambulance immediately called onto the pitch.
Both sets of players were visibly distressed at Nanu’s condition, with some crying and saying prayers as the game was stopped for more than 10 minutes. He was taken to the Sao Francisco Xavier Hospital in Lisbon after receiving treatment on the field.
Former Real Madrid defender Pepe was seen in tears on the pitch but told reporters after full-time that the doctors had reassured him that his team-mate had regained consciousness.
“I wish our team-mate Nanu a speedy recovery,” Pepe said.
“The doctors in the ambulance told me that he was doing well, that he was already conscious.”
Porto have since provided an update on his condition:
“Nanu had a cerebral concussion and spinal cord injury with loss of memory. At this moment he is stable, conscious and is already oriented in time and space.
“The examinations performed at Hospital S. Francisco Xavier did not reveal any alterations of clinical severity. He will continue to be observed at the hospital.”
