A devastating injury overshadowed the English Premier League clash between Tottenham and Everton on Sunday. But it was the prayerful reaction of the players to the incident that has been catching the eyes of many.
After a tackle from Tottenham’s Son Heung-min, Everton midfielder Andre Gomes fell awkwardly and a free-kick was awarded. Moments later, players around Gomes were seen cowering and holding their heads in their hands. Heung-min burst into tears.
Gomes has completely snapped his leg away from his ankle and was screaming in agony.
But as doctors swarmed onto the field, something extraordinary happened — knowing this could well be a career-ending injury for the Everton star, players began to pray.
Tottenham star Lucas Moura was seen reaching his arm out towards his opponent as he was stretchered off the pitch:
Moura is a committed Christian who has previously spoken openly about his faith.
“I want to be remembered mainly by my example as a person, I want to be remembered as a man of God,” he said in an interview, according to Evangelical Focus. “I believe that is what matters most, the character, the good example of a person who helps people to find God. I want to be remembered for that.”
Former Everton winger Pat Nevin, who was commentating on Sunday’s game, described the sordid scene to BBC, noting that “Son was distraught” and Tottenham right-back Serge Aurier “couldn’t watch and was praying.”
“Players looked devastated and there was utter confusion – players with their heads in their hands,” he said. “Gomes was led straight to the corner to the ambulance to take him to hospital.”
In a Twitter post, Everton Football Club confirmed that Gomes will undergo surgery on Monday November 4 having suffered a “fracture-dislocation to his right ankle.”