ROMA defender Evan Ndicka has left hospital where he was rushed to last night after collapsing during a Serie A match between his club and Udinese.
The 24-year-old Cote d’Ivoire centre back, who helped his country win the AFCON 2023 Africa Cup of Nations title in February, collapsed off the ball last night in the 72nd minute of the Italian top flight encounter, with scores tied at 1-1.
The match was suspended as Ndicka was quickly rushed to the hospital, where initial tests confirmed that he had not suffered a heart attack, and was kept there overnight for further tests and observations.
“Following acute precordial pain and atypical alternations in the EKG administered in the first aid room at the stadium, the player Evan Ndicka was hospitalised at the Santa Maria della Misericordia Hospital in Udine,” Roma said in a statement issued this evening.
“First and second-level cardiological tests were administered that were negative for cardiac pathologies. In light of the last tests undergone this morning, the medical situation is compatible with a thoracic trauma with minimal left pneumothorax.
“The player was discharged and will undergo additional tests in Rome.
“AS Roma wishes to thank Udinese Calcio, referee Mr. Pairetto, the public present at the stadium in Udine and the medical and health staff at the Santa Maria della Misericordia Hospital in Udine for their great professionalism and availability.
“In those frantic minutes of apprehension, we all together demonstrated sports values and placed protecting life at first place.”
The statement confirmed that there was no cardiac issue, but a trauma to the chest during the match prompted breathing difficulties and pain in the torso.
The remaining 18 minutes of the suspended match will be played at a later date, which has not been set.
Ndicka joined Roma from Entracht Frankfurt on a free transfer in July last year and has made 27 appearances in all competitions for them this season.
The former French youth international started and completed all seven matches for Cote d’Ivoire as they won the AFCON 2023 title on home soil, beating Nigeria’s Super Eagles in the final two months ago.
