Ex-Leeds and Sheffield United player Alex Sabella has been moved to intensive care in a ‘delicate’ condition, reports confirm.
The 66-year-old, who managed the his home nation Argentina until 2014, was rushed ‘urgently’ to hospital from his hometown La Plata to a facility in Buenos Aires last Thursday.
TYCSports have posted that Sabella attended the Cardiovascular Institute of Buenos Aires due to fluid retention in his legs.
#FuerzaSabella pic.twitter.com/WsLaMGwBQl
— Selección Argentina 🇦🇷 (@Argentina) November 30, 2020
They claimed the condition was not believed to be as serious as originally feared as he was making steady progress.
However, the same outlet now indicates he has picked up a virus while in hospital and he is now suffering with heart problems.
Sabella has been moved into an intensive care room and is receiving respiratory support where staff are keeping an eye on him.
The hospital has also provided a statement on his condition, stating he is in ‘reserved prognosis’.
It revealed Sabella has a ‘dilated heart disease secondary to coronary disease and cardiotoxicity, with cardiogenic shock and previous infection, leading to a reserved prognosis’.
There has been a huge outpour of support from within Argentina.
Sabella moved to Sheffield United in 1978 at the age of 24, making a total of 76 appearances for the Blades, scoring eight goals, and becoming a huge fan favourite.
The South American spent two years there before moving across Yorkshire to Leeds, where he spent one season before heading home to Estudiantes.
Hope for a speedy recovery for Alex Sabella. Enough is enough, 2020! https://t.co/og4Hj9etlO
— roaldv (@ArthurNuman1) November 26, 2020
SABELLA’S CAREER:
1974–1978 – River Plate – 117 games (11 goals)
1978–1980 – Sheffield United – 76 games (8 goals)
1980–1981 – Leeds United – 23 games (2 goals)
1982–1987 – Estudiantes (LP) – 149 games (10 goals)
1985 → Grêmio (loan) – 10 games (0 goals)
1987–1988 – Ferro Carril Oeste – 27 games (2 goals)
1988–1989 – Irapuato – 31 games (0 goals)
Total – 433 games (33 goals)
National team
1983–1984 – Argentina – 8 games (0 goals)
Teams managed
2009–2011 – Estudiantes
2011–2014 – Argentina
Sheffield United had tried to sign the late Diego Maradona from Argentinos Juniors when he was a teenager, however, the club decided that Maradona was too expensive. Therefore, United turned to Sabella, who they signed for £160,000 on 19 July 1978. Known as Alex while in England, Sabella made his debut for the Blades in a 2–1 defeat against Leyton Orient on 19 August 1978.
Sabella played for United until 1980, scoring eight league goals in 76 appearances. After relegation to the Third Division (today’s League Two table), manager Harry Haslam agreed a fee of £600,000 with Second Division club Sunderland. However, Sabella had ambitions to play in the First Division and refused to go. His final appearance for United came with a goal in the County Cup (a regional competition between South Yorkshire teams) Final victory over Sheffield Wednesday on 8 May 1980.
During the close season, Sabella was sold to Leeds United for around £400,000. He played for them without much success between 1980 and 1981, making 23 appearances and scoring two goals. John Lukic used to give him a lift to training and matches from Sabella’s digs in Sheffield.
In December 1981, Sabella started looking for an Argentine club and was eventually sold to Estudiantes de La Plata.
Fans reacted after seeing that the ex-Leeds and Sheffield United player has been moved to intensive care in a ‘delicate’ condition…
Remember it well Alan! pic.twitter.com/rJr1KaBiFe
— Steve Moxon (@stvmoxon) December 2, 2020
As a 10 year old I thought it was brilliant seeing a professional player with no shin pads and his socks rolled down looking like he was playing on the school pitch!
— Danny Wigglesworth (@whiterosehomes) December 2, 2020
couldn’t believe how far in front of our other players he was technically
— Stu (@Studonnyblade) December 2, 2020
Hope he’s ok. I remember going specifically to watch him a couple of times. Tarantini, Marangoni & then the two at Spurs….they were impossibly exotic imports to the UK game. Hope he’s ok. Danny Bergara involved in the Alex deal?
— James Wilkinson (@jimwilkz) December 2, 2020
As a Wednesday fan, he didn’t really do anything against us but I remember being at the Lane for a midweek match against Notts County and he absolutely ran the game. Think it finished 5-0 to United.
— Tim Lycett (@timlycett) December 2, 2020
One of those rare players who raised expectations every time he got the ball ⚔️⚔️
— Stewart Moore (@Astonblade61) December 2, 2020
What a player he was us, enjoyed watching him every week absolute class player. Hope he gets well very soon
— Simon Healy (@simonhealy1968) December 2, 2020
I remember his debut at BDTBL V Orient. Awful season but Alex stood out, he was much too good for United. He struggled sometimes on the heavy pitches and cold winter Tuesday nights and he never quite understood why he was expected to track back and help defend.
— Geoff Calladine (@Glosblade) December 2, 2020
Fantastic player..far too good for us at that time
— henry (@henry_sikora) December 2, 2020
Was there as a 7 year old stood on John Street waiting for him to be “presented” to the fans with my Dad and sister @lesley1889
— Richard Sands (@bobbysands71) December 2, 2020
He was a great player, in my years watching the Blades only TC better Imho
— clive turner (@turner152) December 2, 2020
My first football hero. Hope he recovers ⚔️
— 🇲🇲☸ HxC Kevv ⚔️🏴 (@HXC_KOTF) December 2, 2020
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