Real Mallorca goalkeeper Iván "Pichu" Cuéllar was rushed to hospital on Monday after suffering a serious head injury when a large decorative structure collapsed on him inside the dining hall at the club's training facility.
The incident occurred at the Ciutat Esportiva Antonio Asensio, commonly known as Son Bibiloni, shortly before the squad's scheduled training session was due to begin. The 42-year-old shot-stopper was struck by the falling fixture, which formed part of the canteen's interior decor, prompting an immediate response from club medical staff.
Mallorca released a statement confirming the severity of the incident while attempting to reassure supporters about the veteran keeper's condition. "This morning, Ivan 'Pichu' Cuéllar 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 said. "The player has been taken to hospital for treatment and will remain under observation for the next 24 hours."
Despite the frightening nature of the accident, subsequent updates from the club indicated that Cuéllar was responding well to treatment. Doctors monitoring his recovery have reportedly ruled out any further complications, offering some relief to a squad already dealing with a thin goalkeeping department.
The timing of the injury could hardly be worse for manager Luis García, the former Espanyol forward now tasked with piecing together a squad for Sunday's crucial second-division fixture away at Girona. Both Mallorca and Girona suffered relegation from La Liga at the end of last season and now find themselves scrapping for points in Spain's second tier. The two sides are currently level on 13 points after seven matches, making the upcoming meeting a significant early-season test for both clubs' promotion ambitions.
Cuéllar's absence leaves García with a genuine selection headache between the posts. Lucas Bergström, another option in the goalkeeping ranks, is currently away on international duty representing Finland and therefore unavailable for club selection this week. That leaves Arnau Tenas as the only recognised senior goalkeeper at García's disposal for the trip to Montilivi.
Tenas has been Mallorca's first-choice goalkeeper for much of the campaign so far, but his recent form will do little to ease concerns about the club's options in goal. The 24-year-old was at fault for the only goal in Mallorca's 1-0 home defeat to Almería on Sunday, an error that already had supporters questioning the depth of the goalkeeping unit even before Cuéllar's freak injury on Monday morning.
With Bergström tied up on international commitments and Cuéllar now sidelined indefinitely following his hospitalisation, García may be forced to turn to the club's youth or reserve ranks to fill out his matchday squad against Girona, depending on how quickly either goalkeeper becomes available again.
The club has not provided a timeline for Cuéllar's return to training, with his recovery process expected to continue under medical supervision in the coming days. Mallorca fans and staff alike will be hoping for a swift and full recovery for the experienced goalkeeper, whose accident has overshadowed what was already proving to be a challenging start to the season for the Palma-based side.
Based on reporting from The Guardian.