Alex Bergantinos was left requiring 70 stitches after being on the receiving end of an accidental horror tackle during a Segunda Division promotion play-off clash.
The Deportivo captain went full-blooded into a 50-50 tackle against Mallorca midfielder Marc Pedraza on Thursday as both teams went all out in their pursuit of glory.
But it was Bergantinos who was left worse for wear as the pair horrifically collided with each other at full speed in the 40th minute at the Ciudad Deportiva de Riazor.
Pedraza accidentally smashed Bergantinos in the face with his studs while they battled it out, with the Deportivo man left rolling around on the floor in complete agony.
Pedraza, who was visibly upset following the sickening incident and had to be consoled by the Mallorca camp, was shown a straight red by the referee following advice from his assistant.
As those in the stadiums watched on in anxiety, the Deportivo supporters rallied around their injured player by loudly chanting his name as he received instant medical treatment on the pitch.
Bergantinos, who had a constant stream of blood pouring from his face, was later taken off on a stretcher and sent straight to hospital, where he needed a whole 70 stitches to treat the horror injury.
The 34-year-old defensive midfielder spent the night in hospital before being discharged following his side's 2-0 victory in the first leg of the promotion play-off.
An appearance in the second-leg looks highly unlikely but the captain wants to do everything possible to play in the crunch clash in Mallorca on Sunday.
During his time in hospital after receiving treatment, a defiant Bergantinos - who has been advised by doctors against featuring on the weekend - claimed: 'I wear a mask and play on Sunday.'
While in hospital, Pedraza, alongside Mallorca coach Vicente Moreno, visited his opponent as he was still clearly heavily affected by the unfortunate incident.
