Former Liverpool star Fabio Aurelio left with broken ribs and a broken lung after returning to Anfield for the clash with Ajax Legends.
An organisation of former players recently brought the foreign group together to face off on Merseyside, with the 44-year-old joining Fernando Torres as he donned the red jersey again. Liverpool lacked eventual winners, but the competitive juice received the biggest from Aurelio.
Ajax took the lead and when Kiki Musampa threatened to make it 2-0, the former Red came in to block his shot. The effect resulted in noticeable injuries as his return home was delayed and he was forced to spend. the evening at Aintree University Hospital.
He told The Athletic: “I just tried to block and while he was chasing the shot, he ended up hitting me with his knee. You wouldn’t expect such a twist of fate to happen in a Legends game, but when you show in front of 60,000 people, the competitive spirit kicks in.
“I couldn’t get out of the house last week because of lung damage. At first the doctors told me that I would have to wait 3 weeks, so I was a little scared, however the specialist saw the x-rays a few days later and said that he had calmed down. The lung is fine and the ribs are only a matter of time before they heal.
“I feel much better now and the club has taken very good care of me. Bad things have a silver lining. It allowed me to enjoy Sunday’s game against Brighton at Anfield. Apart from the accident, it was a fantastic trip.
Liverpool emerged victorious, claiming a 4-2 victory thanks to second-half goals from Gregory Vignal, Djibril Cissé, Nabil El Zhar and Torres. A lifelong fan and terminally ill, Sven Goran Eriksson was able to fulfill his dream by leading the Reds as a manager.
Aurelio signed for the Merseysiders in 2006, becoming the first Brazilian to sign for the Anfield side. He spent six years in Liverpool before returning to his homeland. One of his highlights for the club was a free-kick in front of Stretford End in a 4-1 demolition of Manchester United in 2009.
He won the Community Shield in 2006 and the League Cup in 2012 during his time at the club. Aurelio was signed through Rafa Benitez, with whom he worked at Valencia, and also played with Roy Hodgson and Kenny Dalglish.
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