Sánchez’s dislocated knee injury was so grisly, it made Argentinos Juniors doctor Alejandro Roncoroni feel nauseous: “I’ve never seen an injury like that”.
The world of football was shocked by the injury suffered by Argentinos Juniors right-back Luciano Sánchez in last night’s Copa Libertadores round of 16 first leg in Buenos Aires. Sánchez suffered the injury trying to take the ball of Fulminense’s Marcelo. The former Real Madrid full-back skipped out of the way and in doing so, involuntarily stamped on his opponent’s left leg, which buckled and doubled back on itself. Truly horrifying to watch.
Doctors wince at horrific injury
After a VAR review, Marcelo was shown a red card - the fourth straight red of his career. It also put a dampener on the match, it was never the same afterwards and the mood was subdued until the final whistle. Sánchez meanwhile was having his leg looked. So serious was the dislocation that even Argentinos Juniors doctor Alejandro Roncoroni was taken aback.
“In 23 years as a doctor I have never seen an injury like this,” Roncoroni said in an interview with DSports Radio. “[Donato] Villani (AFA doctor) who has spent 40 years in the profession, told me the same thing. It’s almost a separation of the femur and fibula. There is an anterior and posterior cruciate tear and we also need to take a look at how the menisci have been affected. We have to reconstruct the inside of the player’s knee. The recovery period will be between 10 and 12 months. Two surgical interventions will be required. I’d like to highlight Luciano’s integrity - as soon as the area was immobilized, he dedicated himself to calming down his girlfriend and everyone around him during that moment of despair, explaining that he was no longer in any pain.”
The doctor added that Marcelo was extremely concerned about Sánchez’s welfare: “He asked me for Sánchez’s number so he could call him. He left the stadium alone before the game was even over.”
Marcelo sends Luciano Sánchez message for a speedy recovery
An understandably distraught Marcelo visited the home dressing room to check on Sánchez and exchanged phone numbers to be in contact with him. The 29-year-old full-back was then taken to the Finocchieto sanatorium where he underwent a series of tests on his injured knee.
A little later, on social media, Marcelo expressed his deep regret for the move and sent his rival strength for his recovery. “I have experienced a very difficult moment out on the pitch. I unintentionally injured a fellow professional. I would like to wish him the best recovery possible, Luciano Sánchez. I send you all of the strength in the world!”.
Argentinos Juniors thanked him for the gesture.
Sánchez meanwhile, has since been discharged and begins a long and painful rehabilitation. He holds no hard feelings for Marcelo, and on leaving hospital, told TyC Sports: “Marcelo called me and sent me a message. I know it was unintentional. I already admired him as a player and now I do for the person he is. I also want to thank everyone who sent me messages and wished me strength”.