WATCH: “Career ending”- Tchouaméni involved in a FREAK incident with Valencia Defender Mouctar Diakhaby, fans react

Amidst all the commotion surrounding Jude Bellingham‘s red card and his disallowed goal, fans may have missed out on a heartbreaking incident during the game. Red cards and dropped points aside, Valencia CF defender Mouctar Diakhaby was forced off the pitch with a gruesome injury. The injury has been labelled ‘career-ending’ as Diakhaby was stretched off the field.

Real Madrid dropped points against Valencia on Saturday as the home side managed to hang on to an early two-goal lead taken in the opening thirty minutes. Two defensive errors punished by the hosts put Madrid in unfamiliar territory, trailing 2-0. However, the horrific incident put football aside as Aurelien Tchouaméni and Diakhaby collided.

A replay of the incident shows the Madrid #18 losing his balance and falling to the ground. Diakhaby, who had his right foot planted on the ground, bore the entire weight of Tchouaméni on his leg.

The clip shows the defender’s leg twisting out of position as he quickly collapsed to the ground and lay motionless. Surrounding players had their head in hands in the aftermath of the incident. Diakhaby was soon stretchered off the field.

Aurelien Tchouaméni offers public apology following horror injury of Valencia player

An injury as gruesome as that of Mouctar Diakhaby is something that every professional footballer fears. The Guinean had already missed a significant chunk of the La Liga season after fracturing his leg earlier. However, Saturday’s injury sets his recovery back even further as the club is yet to make an official statement regarding his condition.

Aurelien Tchouaméni had little knowledge of what had transpired as the Frenchman lost his balance and came tumbling onto the defender. Following the game, Tchouaméni took to Twitter and captioned an earnest message for the injured player.

Really sorry for what happened @Diakhaby_5, I wish you a quick recovery

Aurelien Tchouaméni on Twitter

As for the game itself, either side ended up sharing the spoils in a thrilling encounter. Jude Bellingham was sent off, which was followed by a swarm of players from either side flocking the pitch. Social media was split in two halves as fans debated the referee’s decision. However, the footballing communication came together to wish Diakhaby a speedy recovery. Several fans also commended Tchouaméni’s gesture in spite of the injury not being his fault.

In case you missed it:

• Declan Rice admits Arsenal were the best team in the league last season despite heartbreaking finish, claims everyone has ‘learned from their mistakes’
• Cesc Fabregas calls out Manchester United’s style of play under Erik ten Hag, claims ‘at least they had a plan’ with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as manager

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