Rabat – Real Mallorca goalkeeper Ivan “Pichu” Cuellar is recovering in hospital after a bizarre training facility accident on Monday.
According to Reuters, the 42-year-old suffered a major head injury when part of the club canteen’s decorative structure gave way and struck him while eating.
The same source indicates that Real Mallorca released a statement confirming that Cuellar received immediate hospital treatment after the event at their Son Bibiloni training base.
The incident unfolded shortly before manager Luis Garcia led the team out for practice ahead of their upcoming second-division fixture against Girona this Sunday.
Despite the initial panic surrounding the accident, doctors have ruled out any severe secondary complications for the keeper.
The club confirmed he is responding well to treatment and remains under brief hospital observation as a precaution.
“This morning, Ivan ‘Pichu’ Cuellar suffered a serious head injury after a large structure, which formed part of the decor in the dining room at the Ciutat Esportiva collapsed,” the club stated.
“The player has been taken to hospital for treatment and will remain under observation for the next 24 hours,” they added.
The injury creates a major shortage between the posts for Mallorca. With Lucas Bergstrom currently away representing Finland, Arnau Tenas remains the squad’s only fit senior goalkeeper.
The setback comes at a key moment in the season for Real Mallorca, who currently sit 6th in the La Liga 2 standings with 13 points from their opening seven matches.
