Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images
Villarreal winger Yeremy Pino has finally discussed the incident that resulted in Dani Carvajal’s serious injury.
During an interview with ElDesmarque (h/t MARCA), Pino reflected on the play, describing it as a complicated situation.
He explained that his intention was to make minimal contact with the ball in order to clear it. As Villarreal were losing at the time, Pino emphasised that he barely touched the ball, but Carvajal extended his leg, leading to the unfortunate collision.
“I try to touch the ball as little as possible to get it out. You’re losing, I’m a footballer and you don’t want to lose.
“I don’t think I even touched it, but in the end, he throws his leg, hits me and in the end it’s fortuitous,” he began by saying.
Pino’s sympathy towards Carvajal
Pino expressed sympathy for Carvajal and acknowledged the challenging road to recovery the Real Madrid defender now faces.
He pointed out that Carvajal is not only a vital player for both Real Madrid and the Spanish national team but also a significant figure in Spanish football.
Seeing a player of his calibre go through such a painful experience on the pitch struck a chord with Pino, as he has dealt with similar injuries in the past. He recognised how tough it is to witness such an incident firsthand.
“It’s a shame, really. The moment he was in, how important he is for us in the national team and for Real Madrid.
“For Spanish football, he is an example and it is difficult to see how he suffered on the pitch because I have also experienced it and it is complicated.”
Pino instantly knew
Recalling that moment, he shared how Carvajal kicked him, which caused pain. However, it was the distinct sound he heard that made him realise something serious had happened.
As soon as Carvajal mentioned his knee, Pino knew it was significant. He described how such injuries bring back memories of past struggles, and though one tries to move past them, it remains a difficult process.
“He kicked me and it hurt, but when I heard it I knew something had happened. When he said the knee, you know it when you have something in your knee.
“You feel the ‘click’. Then my head started to go back to the ghosts of the past. You try to escape a little, but it’s complicated,” he noted
In the end, Pino regretted the incident, not only because of the injury but also due to the impact it will have on Carvajal’s future for both Real Madrid and Spain.
