Cape Town - Atletico Madrid have confirmed that Fernando Torres is in a stable condition and recovering in hospital after suffering a nasty head injury during a La Liga clash against Deportivo on Thursday.
The former Liverpool and Chelsea attacker fell heavily during an 85th-minute aerial challenge by Deportivo's Alex Bergantinos and seemed to already be unconscious in mid-air before landing.
Prayers go out to Fernando @Torres tonight. Awful injury. ? Get well soon pic.twitter.com/LMQwMbZ3A2
— #FootyOnTop (@DDFootyFactory) March 3, 2017
The Spain international, 32, is due to undergo further tests on Friday after Atletico confirmed that initial scans revealed that there were 'no traumatic alterations or injuries'.
Good morning!
— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) March 3, 2017
The medical staff inform that @Torres spent a good night and will undergo the last tests https://t.co/gskOg8Tve1
Torres later said: 'It was just a scare. I hope to be back very soon'.
While Atletico's coach, Diego Simeone added that he was 'worried and nervous' when the incident happened.
Former and current team-mates took to social media to share well wishes and messages of support to the player affectionately known as 'El Nino' (The Kid).
We wish you a speedy recovery, @Torres https://t.co/93aXKf5TrY
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) March 2, 2017
Get well soon Champion @Torres ???????????????? pic.twitter.com/N7GToWZTEu
— Didier Drogba (@didierdrogba) March 2, 2017
Thoughts go out to @Torres and his family this morning... fingers crossed for a speedy recovery! ???? pic.twitter.com/Jvi6CXmGJs
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) March 3, 2017