Sergio Rico (Sevilla, 1993) is back on the pitch a year after the tragic accident which left him in a coma for 26 days. He made his return with Al Gharafa in Qatar. In the stadium of this Qatari club, he gave an interview to AS with the smile of someone who has rediscovered the pleasure of playing, what he loves above all, and of living.
He’s back on the field a year later, and he looks happy…
Yes, after everything that happened and all the time spent in rehabilitation… I’m happy to be able to enjoy Football and my career again. Since my arrival in Qatar, everything has been easier for me. My teammates welcomed me very well. I look forward to working hard to continue enjoying my sporting career, which is what I wanted the most.
A photo of him shows him happily celebrating the first day, and this photo means a lot.
There were a lot of difficult times, not only for me, but also for my family. There were days when doctors delivered very negative news. And then came this moment to step on the pitch again… It seemed like I was making my debut in the first division once again. A magnificent and unique moment.
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Has it really been a year since you woke up from the coma? Did it seem long, short…?
It’s been a daily effort since the doctors gave me the freedom to continue playing. That’s why I think it went by relatively quickly. I was focused on preparing myself for when the opportunity presented itself. I had to be at the level I wanted. Thank goodness that’s how it turned out.
Does football help you overcome such a difficult moment? Is it motivation?
Yes of course. I can only express my gratitude to football. This was, in part, what pushed me to fight through the hardest times. If I hadn’t had football in those circumstances… I might have given up sooner. Or even my body might not have reacted. I would not be prepared to face something similar.
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Have those around you suffered more than you?
At first I was asleep and unaware of everything. Those who suffered the most were the people who love me, my family, my wife, my friends… They bore the worst part. They were the ones receiving the bad news.
And now that you have become a father, how life changes!
It’s true, after the storm comes calm. She’s my little girl; she is 40 days old and just arrived in Qatar to be with me. Now I have everything. I must take advantage of this opportunity to enjoy life. This is a new experience for all of us.
Do you see life differently now?
Events like this mature you and make you realize that there is no need to be impatient about anything. Everything has its time. You have to make the most of every moment because it could be your last.
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What do you remember about waking up?
I don’t have a clear memory; I was heavily sedated. It’s more what others told me. My wife tells me the first thing I asked when I woke up was… ‘Will I be able to play football again?’
They say you also remembered Sergio Ramos…
Yes, and I had another dream about my father. That’s what I remember.
Your phone must have been flooded with messages…
Thank God I received so much love, not just from people I know. Also others, people I have never met in my life. And from here, I want to send a hug to everyone who took a moment to show me their support.
A message that particularly struck you?
It would be unfair to mention only one because I would devalue all the others who wrote to me. Each one has been beautiful and moving for me, because in a moment like this, it’s special. It was spectacular that teammates who I didn’t share a locker room with on other teams reached out to me and showed me their support.
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Al Khelaïfi was very affectionate. He was your president at the time.
Yes, he took the time to travel to Seville to be at my house. He spent a day with us. It’s the details that make the difference. This shows why PSG is a great club.
Will the past mark your life forever?
Yes, like I said, it makes you mature. They say you have to be a little crazy to be a goalkeeper… And my madness has remained intact.
Did you want to continue playing football after what happened?
Yes, yes, even more so, honestly. After so many years as a professional, under so much pressure, you start to consider things like starting a family… This break was crucial for me to realize that my life without football is not the same. I realized how much I really love football. It gave me an extra boost. I live for what I live for.
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You are an example of resilience; What would you say to those who might be going through something similar right now?
It’s an honor for me that they think so. I can only convey my love for what I do. They must take advantage of what they have.
Why did you decide to move to Qatar to pursue your career after the accident?
I didn’t think twice. The city (Doha) is great, and it was an opportunity to play in the Asian Champions League; they are currently sixth in their group, so they would qualify for the round of 16. A huge new experience.
And you have Joselu and Rodrigo as teammates…
We have a very good group, yes. I am not only with them; I am also with others who speak Spanish. It’s a very family group, made up of normal, humble people with big hearts. That’s what I like.
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Joselu arrived as champion of the Euro and the Champions League, not bad…
Not only as a player, where I could name a thousand qualities, but also as a person, he is spectacular. A lovely guy who welcomed me in the best possible way. He helped me a lot to integrate with my teammates.
What is football like in Qatar?
He is developing a lot. With this movement of foreign players, he is gaining reputation and will make a lot of noise. The Federation has a very special regulation here, because goalkeepers in the league and cup must be national. But the Champions League is the strongest competition in Qatar. It’s very good.
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