An Inter Miami forward needed to be rushed to the hospital after a disturbing aerial collision caused him to lose consciousness and begin seizing on the pitch.
German Berterame is recovering in the hospital after taking contact to his head in a Saturday night game against CF Montreal.
In the 70th minute at the Saputo Stadium in Canada, Berterame collided with Montreal defender Efrain Morales – who made the contact from behind the player as they both jumped for a header – and landed awkwardly on the pitch.
Broadcast cameras caught an open-eyed Berterame convulsing on the ground after training staff rushed over to attend to him.
The match was stopped for ten minutes as Berterame was taken off the field on a stretcher, never appearing to re-gain consciousness.
He was eventually placed into an ambulance and was rushed to a nearby hospital.
Inter Miami’s German Berterame was knocked unconscious after a collision against Montreal
Berterame needed to be transported to the hospital, where he has been recovering
Miami was awarded a penalty that was scored by Luis Suarez, who held up Berterame’s shirt
After the match, Inter Miami manager Guillermo Hoyos said his striker was ‘recovering right now,’ adding, ‘He’s fine, conscious.’
‘His family is aware of everything,’ Hoyos said. ‘They’re calm. The most important thing is that he’s OK, and right now he is OK.’
Due to the collision with Morales, Inter Miami was awarded a penalty. Teammate Luis Suarez converted the chance, which proved to be the only goal on the night. Suarez held up Berterame’s shirt in honor of the striker.
‘We were alarmed at first because the blow was very strong. On the play, it’s obvious there was an elbow, which is why a penalty was awarded, he fell like dead weight,’ Hoyos recalled.
‘I think he might have already been unconscious given the severity of the impact. He took that elbow and hit the ground hard.
‘It was a moment of great desperation and deep sadness, because it went beyond football, and all that. It’s about human life, that’s what matters most. So, we just hope everything turns out well.’
Berterame, the Mexico international, has bagged seven MLS goals for The Herons since moving from Monterrey in January.
With the victory, Miami now sit just two points behind league-leaders Nashville SC. They next face the Columbus Crew.
