Atletico Madrid midfielder Mario Suarez suffers nasty head injury

Atletico Madrid midfielder Mario Suarez has been taken to the hospital for examination after suffering a head injury, the club announced Sunday morning. They say he’s regained consciousness, confirming that he was knocked unconscious during Atleti’s friendly against German club VfL Wolfsburg.

The incident occurred early in the first half when Suarez, teammate Cristian Ansaldi and Wolfsburg’s Ivica Olic all tried to win the ball in the air. Ansaldi’s elbow appeared to make contact with Suarez’s head, and Suarez appeared to lose consciousness before hitting the ground. After a lengthy delay, he was substituted out for Tiago.

It’s always bad news when anyone has to be taken to the hospital for a football injury, and Atleti’s use of the term “traumatic brain injury” certainly is concerning, but Suarez regaining consciousness is at least a small positive.