Marcelo sent off in tears after challenge leaves opponent with horrific fully dislocated knee

Former Real Madrid legend Marcelo was sent off in tears after his challenge leaves an opponent with a horrific fully dislocated knee.

29 year old Argentinos Juniors defender Luciano Sanchez was on the end of the incident during a Copa Libertadores match in Buenos Aires on Tuesday.

He suffered the serious injury after a challenge by veteran left-back Marcelo, who these days is now playing for Brazilian club Fluminense.

His teammates initially believed he had broken his leg, but a medical report published by the club said it was a full dislocation.

Marcelo could be seen in sock with his head in his hands as Sanchez screamed when laid out on the pitch, surrounded by concerned players on both teams.

It took place in the 56th minute of the match, which played out to a 1-1 draw.

Local media said doctors at the Sanatorio Finochietto hospital claimed Sanchez could be out betwee eight and 12 months.

‘I lived a very tough moment on the pitch today,’ Marcelo said in a post on social media. ‘With no intention I injured a fellow footballer. I want to wish you the best possible recovery, Luciano Sanchez.’

*GRAPHIC CONTENT WARNING*

⚠️ TRIGGER WARNING ⚠️

OH MY F*CKING GOD 🤮 pic.twitter.com/sKj53hEWUN

— Barstool Football (@StoolFootball) August 2, 2023

Argentinos Juniors thanked the Brazilian club and the footballer for their concern for Sánchez, saying: “We are rivals, not enemies.”

Marcelo’s club added in a statement: “Fluminense FC expresses its solidarity and wishes a speedy recovery to Argentinos Juniors defender Luciano Sanchez, who was injured in an accidental move in tonight’s match.”

Fluminense coach Fernando Diniz, who is also Brazil’s national team coach until the middle of next year, said in a press conference that Marcelo did not deserve to be sent off and called the incident ‘an unfortunate event.’

Gabriel Avalos opened the scoring with a volley for the hosts in the 14th minute of the first leg of the round-of-16 match.

Argentinos later saw its goalkeeper Alexis Martin Arias sent off in the 76th minute, and be replaced by substitute midfielder Luciano Heredia until the end of the match.

Fluminense took advantage of the opportunity and equalized with Samuel Xavier in the 87th minute from long range.

The teams will play again next Tuesday at the Maracana Stadium for a place in the quarterfinals.

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A post shared by Marcelo Vieira (@marcelotwelve)

Here’s what social media users said as a video of Marcelo sent off in tears after his challenge leaves his opponent with a horrific fully dislocated knee…

@Patchy_Cow: I have genuinely never seen an injury worse than this in all my life of watching football, I hope he’s able to recover and walk again as quick as possible

@nashmuyeye23: I should have listened to the trigger warning

@jonny_hino17: Just seen Marcelo breaking that guy’s knee 🤢

@John_E_Reese: Christ, that Marcelo challenge on Sanchez looks grim and at first watch looks like a leg breaker. Apparently “only” a full knee dislocation so he might get away with 2-3 months out if I remember the timescale right.

@samconnors_10: That leg break from marcelo is absolutely horrendous man 🤢🤢🤢

@Clanwalk3r: He did nothing ‘wrong’ was just a bad timed lunge from the opponent and his skill to move the ball out the way unfortunately meant his foot had to go down somewhere. These things happen, can’t blame the poor bloke.

@XCharlotte1995X: Just put a plaster on 🤢🤢

@txmmybeard: He’s hardly touched him ref

@TheMonk147: That’ll be alright….. run it off mate 🤯😂

@callum_doyle92: Fuck me that angle is even worse 🤮

@PurpleFeebas: It was by a mistake but jesus…. I hope for a fast recovery!! 🙏🏼

@krisrodrigues14: That leg break in the Fluminense game is the worst thing I’ve ever seen. Marcelo looked genuinely traumatised after.

@lgriffiths200: Oh my days 😳

@JamesK_1312: Jesus christ on a bike that broken leg Marcelo was involved in 😳

@MrTini23: Just seen the Marcelo challenge. That is the worst leg break I’ve ever seen. Grim

@scottnozz10: The accidental Marcelo challenge is easily the worst leg break I’ve ever seen

@g_wilko87: That Marcelo leg break lads. Holy hell.

@ArmstrongFM7: Just seen the incident involving Marcelo and him accidentally breaking an opponent players leg. Arguably the worst leg break I have ever seen, and my heart goes out to both players. Marcelo visibly shaken and in tears, long recovery expected for the victim. My lord.

@LiamFergusonLFC: That’s gonna be sore this morning 😩