A Nigerian midfielder is recovering after a frightening on-field incident in Spain, where a kick to the head left him unconscious and required hospital treatment during a second-division league match.
Quadri Liameed, 24, was representing his club Sabadell against Albacete at the Carlos Belmonte Stadium on Saturday when the collision occurred in the 42nd minute, shortly before half-time.
The Incident
The injury happened when Albacete forward José Corpas attempted a volley but struck Liameed in the head as both players challenged for the ball just outside the penalty area. Video footage of the moment, which circulated widely in the days that followed, showed the midfielder taking the full force of the contact.
Liameed collapsed on the pitch and briefly lost consciousness, prompting medical personnel from both clubs to rush to his aid. He was fitted with a neck brace, carried off on a stretcher and taken by ambulance to Hospital Quirón Santa Cristina for medical examination.
Corpas was shown a straight red card for the challenge, and the match was halted for approximately nine minutes while the player received treatment.
Club Confirms Positive Outcome
Sabadell later confirmed that Liameed had regained consciousness and was undergoing medical examinations, with the initial test results described as positive. In an update posted on its official X account on November 1, the club announced that the Nigerian had been discharged from hospital after all tests returned favourable results.
The club said Liameed had received medical discharge and would return to Sabadell that evening, while thanking Albacete’s medical services for the assistance provided throughout the ordeal. The former Nigeria U-20 midfielder subsequently travelled back to Sabadell by car, accompanied by a member of the club’s medical staff.
Father Speaks on Recovery
Liameed’s father, Hajji Gafar, confirmed his son’s condition, saying the player was now stable and was expected to undergo a Buffalo Concussion Bike Test within the following 48 hours. He said the Spanish medical team attending to his son had given him encouraging news and that he was relieved and grateful.
Gafar added that he intended to travel to Spain within the next 10 days to see Quadri in person, spend time with him and support him through the recovery process.
Match Result and Possible Sanction
Despite the disruption, Albacete secured a 2-1 victory over Sabadell, having played with 10 men following Corpas’s dismissal.
Corpas could face a ban of between four and 12 matches under Article 102 of the Spanish football disciplinary code if the incident is deemed to have caused serious injury. The punishment is yet to be determined by the Spanish Football Federation’s Disciplinary Committee.
Career Background
Born in Lagos on April 8, 2002, Liameed began his football career with Lagos-based 36 Lion FC before moving to Spain. He later played for Lleida Esportiu before joining Sabadell in July 2025.
The incident has drawn attention to player safety in Spanish football’s lower divisions, with the swift response of medical staff from both clubs widely credited for the positive outcome. For now, Liameed’s focus will be on completing his recovery and returning to the pitch, with his family and club standing behind him.
