Milan-owned defender Matteo Gabbia was stretchered off and seemed to lose consciousness after a worrying accident during Villarreal’s Europa League match with Rennes.
The centre-back was trying to head the ball when his teammate – former Napoli player Raul Albiol – went to clear it and caught him on the temple with a knee.
Gabbia immediately seemed to lose consciousness, but regained it by the time he was stretchered off the field.
He was taken to hospital for tests that gave the all-clear, so it is reported he will be able to return to Spain with the rest of the squad.
Gabbia did send a message: ‘Thank you to everyone for your messages! I am fine. Ah… first in the group.’
Milan are expected to negotiate a termination of the one-season loan agreement with Villarreal to bring him back to base in January, as they are short-staffed in defence with multiple injuries.
Gabbia turned 24 in October and he is still under contract with the Rossoneri until June 2026.
He is a product of their youth academy with loan spells at Lucchese and Villarreal.