Former Manchester United midfielder Angel Gomes shared a light-hearted message with fans after being taken to hospital with a severe head injury on Saturday night.
The Lille star even hinted he would swerve clear of one critical aspect of football after needing treatment for 17 minutes in the 2-0 win at Reims before going to hospital.
Gomes – who was on United’s books between the ages of six and 19 – was on the receiving end of a sickening aerial collision with Amadou Kone in the 11th minute.
Referee Eric Wattellier instantly called for medical assistance and Gomes was then treated before being taken away as the crowd clapped and chanted his name.
Now Gomes has posted an update from his hospital bed with a support around his neck, throwing up a peace sign and quipping: ‘Remind me not to jump for headers anymore.’
Injured Lille star Angel Gomes joked with fans: ‘Remind me not to jump for headers anymore’
He left Lille’s 2-0 in over Reims on Saturday on a stretcher after a nasty aerial collision
He added: ‘Just a message to let everyone know that I’m all good! The support has been overwhelming and I just Thank God everything is okay. Love and blessings!’
Gomes also said in a video: ‘Just wanted to let everyone know that I’m okay, I’m back home, I’ve been looked after, and I’m feeling good. I just want to thank all the medical staff at the club, all the medical staff at the hospital that looked after me.
‘It was a crazy collision, these things happen in football, but the most important thing is that I’m okay, we won, three points.
‘I just want to thank the fans also from both teams, obviously our home supporters that support us week in, week out, and the fans at Reims for the support. Thank you.’
Kone, after being shown a straight red card for his dangerous foul, was pictured praying for Gomes from inside the Reims changing room.
The game eventually restarted in the 45th minute, with 34 minutes added to the end of the first-half.
Lille defender Bafode Diakite scored the opening goal in the 30th minute of first-half added time before holding up the No 8 shirt belonging to Gomes in front of a pitchside TV camera.
A club statement published during the half-time break then confirmed that Gomes was conscious again.
Concerned Lille players gathered around their team-mate as he received medical treatment
Amadou Kone, after being sent off for a dangerous foul, was pictured praying for Gomes
Bafode Diakite pictured celebrating his goal by holding up the shirt of team-mate Gomes
Gomes pictured playing for Man United in a Premier League game against Norwich in 2020
It read: ‘Angel Gomes has regained consciousness and has been transferred to hospital. All our thoughts are with him’.
Lille went on to win the game 2-0 after Jonathan David doubled their lead in stoppage time of the second-half.
Gomes joined Lille on a free transfer in August 2020.
The London-born midfielder – who featured in 10 first-team games for United – has since made more than 100 appearances for the French club.
