Togolese footballer Samuel Asamoah faces a “high risk” of paralysis after crashing into an advertising board. The 31-year-old was playing in the Chinese second division match between Guangxi Pingguo and Chongqing Tonglianglong when the horrific incident occurred.
Video footage of the match captured the shocking moment Asamoah collided with opposing midfielder Zhang Zhixiong and fell. The midfielder ran headfirst into the advertising street surrounding the pitch and remained motionless on the ground. Medical staff rushed to help him, but the club’s diagnosis turned out to be very alarming.
His condition was revealed in a statement on Monday, acknowledging he had suffered multiple fractures to his neck and extensive nerve damage, and faced a “high risk of paraplegia”.
Asamoah’s club confirmed that Asamoah will undergo surgery and miss the remainder of the season, adding: “His career could be seriously affected.”
“Guangxi Pingguo FC would like to sincerely thank all fans and people from all walks of life for their concern and support for Samuel Asamoah,” the latest statement read on Wednesday.
“His recovery status will be announced in due course following follow-up tests.”
Asamoah has represented Togo on six international occasions and spent most of his playing career in Belgium before moving to Romania in 2021. He then joined China’s Qingdao Red Lions in 2024 and moved to his current club after just one season.
This tragic news follows the recent death of former Chichester City and Arsenal striker Billy Biggar, 21, who tragically passed away last month.
The youngster hit his head on a concrete wall while playing for Wingate and Finchley in the Isthmian League Premier Division.
Mr Biggar was airlifted to hospital and put into a coma, but sadly died a few days later from brain injuries.
Following the tragedy, the FA announced plans to carry out a safety review of the perimeter walls of non-league grounds.
