Lille midfielder Angel Gomes was hospitalised with a serious head injury that knocked him unconscious during Saturday’s Ligue 1 fixture at Stade de Reims.
Lille secured a 2-0 victory against Reims at the Stade Auguste Delaune, but the match was marred by a frightening moment.
The ugly incident saw the 23-year-old Gomes colliding with Reims midfielder Amadou Koné who was sent off as a result of the challeng in the 11th minute.
Gomes’ injury led to an extended stoppage in the game as he received on-field medical attention for nearly 30 minutes after being knocked unconscious and remaining immobile.
During this time, the medical team’s slow response caused Lille head coach Bruno Genesio to express frustration.
He stated that he recognized the severity of the injury right away and was disappointed that the on-field treatment was not conducted more quickly.
Genesio said: “I was angry, because it’s hard to see one of your players on the ground. We spend a lot of time together, we’re a family, and to see one of our players attacked, because it is an attack, is very difficult to live with.”
The injured midfielder was taken away on a stretcher to the hospital as fans of both clubs chanted the former Manchester United player’s name.
The match restarted with an additional 34 minutes added to the first half. Lille emerged victorious with a 2-0 win, thanks to goals from Bafodé Diakité and Jonathan David late in each half.
Following the conclusion of the game, both teams came together to hold up a Reims jersey bearing the message “Prenez soin de Angel” in French.
Lille provide update on Angel Gomes’ injury
The French club has given update on the former Manchester United graduate through their President, Olivier Letang.
In his post-match comments, Lille president Olivier Letang provided a brief update on the team’s 2-0 victory in the French Ligue 1 campaign.
He assured everyone that there is no cause for alarm, as the veteran midfielder is responding well to treatment and recovering smoothly from a head collision injury.
Letang said: “Angel Gomes is doing pretty well, but we’ll wait to find out how he spends the night with his additional tests, before saying that we have a definitive ‘happy ending’.”
Gomes’ former club Manchester United also shared a heartfelt message to the England star.
The Red Devils wrote: “Sending love and strength to @AGomes_47, who has been taken to hospital following a collision while playing for Lille. We’re thinking of you, Angel.”
Angel Gomes journey from Manchester United to Lille
Manchester United’s young talent, Angel Gomes, has had quite the journey with the English club.
Joining the Old Trafford club at just six years old, Gomes made his highly anticipated first-team debut in May 2017, making history as the first player born in the 2000s to grace the Premier League.
Despite his promising start, Gomes only made 10 appearances for Manchester United before being released at the end of his contract in 2020 and joined Lille same year.
After signing for Lille in August, he was promptly loaned out to Boavista for a season.
He returned in 2021 and helped the French club won the Trophée des Champions.
What’s next?
As we anticipate more updates on Gomes’s injury, Lille will face Slavia Prague in the Champions League qualification on Tuesday, August 20.
