What was supposed to be an unforgettable afternoon for Santiago Arrieta ended in the worst possible way. In the match against Independente del Valle on the 11th date of Ecuador's Pro League, the Argentine striker scored his first goal for Leones FC, but a few moments later he was seriously injured during the celebration and will be away from the courts for several months
.
The action occurred at the start of the match, when the 19-year-old, who recently joined the team after his time at Sacachispas, hit a header to put his team in the lead. However, at the time of celebrating, he slipped and fell with his right knee in an unnatural position. The pain was immediate and required the intervention of the medical staff, who removed him from the field after 28 minutes
.
Hours after the match, which ended in a 2-1 victory for Matagigantes, studies confirmed the worst diagnosis: torn ligaments. “He suffered a torn ligament and after undergoing surgery, it was announced that Santiago Arrieta will be off the court for 9 to 12 months,” Radio Diblu reported
after hearing the medical report.
The episode caused shock in Ecuadorian football and hit Leones FC especially hard, which is going through its first season in the top flight. In the midst of a demanding start, the team loses one of its young bets just as it was beginning to
stand out.
For Arrieta, for his part, this injury will not only leave him out for a long time, but it could also mean that this match was the last one with the Ecuadorian club's jersey, since he has a contract until December of this year.
