Hamburg youngster Saido Balde, 14, collapses on pitch and is rushed to hospital as match abandoned
HAMBURG whizkid Saido Balde was rushed to hospital after collapsing on the pitch during a football match.
The shocking incident happened during a youth game on Tuesday.
Balde, 14, is rated as one of German football’s best young prospects and is attracting interest from Paris Saint-Germain, Borussia Dortmund and Benfica.
But there was huge cause for concern last night when he fell to the floor during Hamburg’s U17s clash with SV Eichede.
According to Bild, Balde was just about to come on as a sub in the 60th minute when he collapsed.
The German-Portuguese teenager “lay trembling all over” in what was believed to be an epileptic seizure.
And with Hamburg 2-1 up, the game was immediately abandoned as medics rushed Balde to hospital.
The ace was kept in for checks until 4am on Wednesday morning.
Bild adds that second-tier Hamburg want Balde to take further tests to ensure he is fully OK to play.
But the wonderkid revealed on Instagram that he plans on getting back to business on Thursday.
And he sent a heartwarming message to those who helped him in his time of need.
Balde, who is reportedly at the centre of a bidding war between Nike and Adidas, said: “Many thanks to all of you for the support. Training continues as usual in the morning.”
The right winger has been at Bundesliga 2 side Hamburg since 2018 after leaving SC Sternschanze.
He has three goals and four assists in 15 games for Hamburg’s U17s this term.
But highly-rated Balde could be on the move shortly with his contract expiring in 2024.
PSG and Benfica are long-term admirers, while Dortmund would love to bring Balde into Germany’s top flight.