Ex-Premier League star plays first game since being trampled by a horse and left in a coma

Sergio Rico was full of gratitude after playing his first game since suffering head injuries when he was trampled by a horse.

Spanish goalkeeper Rico, who spent time in the Premier League with Fulham, was rushed to intensive care after the accident involving a runaway horse on a visit to his hometown in May 2023. He had been on his way to mass when the runaway animal reportedly kicked him in the head multiple times.

A month on from the accident, the former Sevilla star's wife Alba indicated he had been improving. However, he didn't play any part for his club Paris Saint-Germain last season as he recovered from spending 26 days in a come

The one-cap international left PSG for Qatari side Al-Gharafa over the summer and he enjoyed a winning debut. Former Real Madrid striker Joselu scored twice as they overcame Al-Ain of the UAE in an AFC Champions League tie.

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"And play again, and win again," Rico wrote on Instagram after the 4-2 victory. "Thank you so much for the support, fans. The first win of many @algharafaclub!"

Joselu scored either side of the half-time break to open up a 2-0 lead, only for Al-Ain to draw level in the 66th minute. The hosts found another gear, though, with Senegalese international Seydou Sano restoring the lead and Yacine Brahimi adding a fourth.

Al-Gharafa sit sixth in the Qatar Stars League after two wins, two draws and a defeat. Their next match is a cup tie against Umm Salal on Saturday.

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In September, the footballer welcomed a daughter with wife Alba. "And the light of our lives was born. Welcome to the world Carla Rico Silva," Alba wrote in a post on Instagram, with Rico himself replying: "Nothing like them... I love you very much. My champions."

Rico, 31, made his sole Spain appearance in a friendly victory over South Korea in 2016. He was an unused substitute a further 18 times, including a 2-0 win against Roy Hodgson's England in November 2015.

The keeper spent the bulk of his career with hometown club Sevilla, making more than a century of appearances. He spent the 2018-19 season in the Premier League with Fulham, joining on loan under Slavisa Jokanovic and playing 29 league games under Jokanovic, Claudio Ranieri and Scott Parker.

He spent the last five seasons with PSG, the first of those on loan. Despite not featuring in his final season, he joined his team-mates in their Coupe de France final as Luis Enrique's team beat Lyon 2-1.

Rico is one of a number of European stars currently at Al-Gharafa, where former Olympiacos boss Pedro Martins serves as manager. Joselu joined from Real Madrid and fellow Spaniard Rodrigo signed on loan, while former Cardiff star Aron Gunnarsson was another to make his debut in the Al-Ain game.

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