You will probably all remember 21st February 2006 when Momo sustained that terrible eye injury... it was a time when football didn't matter that much but the health of a Liverpool player did...
The press reports that followed stated:
Liverpool's midfielder Momo Sissoko spent the night in a Lisbon hospital with a horrific eye injury after being kicked in the face during their 1-0 Champions League loss to Benefica.
Sissoko was floored for four whole minutes, after receiving a kick by midfielder Beto before being taken away on a stretcher with bandages on his eye. Sissoko was replaced by Dietmar Harnann, while Beto was subsequently booked. A club statement said: He has a serious eye injury and is staying in hospital overnight for observation and further tests. Although it is not quite clear yet as to the severity of his injuries, it is thought to be quite serious."
Liverpool inevitably lost the match; six minutes before the end of the game after Brazilian defender Luisao scored the only goal.
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FEARS were growing over Mohamed Sissoko last night after Liverpool confirmed the severity of the midfielder's horrific eye injury. The Malian international has suffered serious damage to the retina in his right eye after being accidentally kicked in the face by Benfica midfielder Beto during Tuesday night's Champions League defeat.
Sissoko is almost certainly out for the rest of the season, but there is genuine concern the 21-year-old may lose the sight in his eye - instantly ending his career. A definitive prognosis can only be made once the swelling of the injury has gone down, with Sissoko complaining of blurred vision immediately after the incident.
Sissoko flew back to England yesterday after having been detained overnight in the CUF Hospital in Lisbon, accompanied by club doctor Mark Waller. Dr Joao Paco, clinical director of the hospital, said the player had undergone a CAT scan and other examinations before being discharged. But the doctor was downbeat in his assessment of Sissoko's condition earlier in the day. "Right now he's under specialist care, and we are reserving judgement," he said. "We can't say anything more right now."
A Liverpool club spokesman said yesterday: "Momo has under-gone further tests this morning which have confirmed damage to the retina in his right eye. "The injury is currently affecting his eyesight. Further consultations with eye specialists have been arranged for when the player returns to England."
Beto has apologised for the high challenge on Sissoko, which resulted in a caution for the Benfica man from referee Konrad Plautz. "I just caught him accidentally with my boot, and unfortunately it opened up a wound," said Beto. "I want to apologise to him, because I did not mean to injure him. It was just a typical midfield challenge, the sort that happens all the time."
"You are always getting 50-50 balls like that, and all you are thinking about is trying to win it. That's how it was this time. All I saw was the ball, and I put my foot in to try and nick it away from him. I certainly did not mean to do him any harm, and I am very concerned to hear he has ended up in hospital." Beto added: "I tried to apologise to him at the time, when he was receiving treatment, and I want him to know I am really sorry."
In a later statement clinical director Joao Paco said "The prognosis is guarded but vision is going to be compromised on the right side, it may be 80 or 20 per cent, but we can't say yet. He suffered trauma with bruising to the eye but there was no apparent destruction of the structure."
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Fortunately Momo made a full recovery and went on to play in a Red shirt many times.
Honours : European Super Cup ('05), FA Cup ('06), Charity Shield ('06)
A gifted player who could wrestle the ball from a rhino. With having the best midfield in the world Momo would eventually become a player who, like most wanted regular 1st team footy and so had to start looking outside of the Anfield gates. Great tackler but not too hot on the passing is my considered opinion. Nevertheless best wishes go with Momo to Juventus and may you have continued success with your career.
YNWA
