Lopes suffers horrible ACL injury in Crete
In a huge blow to AEK Athens, Portuguese left-back Helder Lopes suffered a suspected anterior cruciate ligament injury during the Super League victory against OFI in Crete, but club owner Dimitris Melissanidis is eager to offer him a new contract immediately.
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Leading 3:0 in Heraklion, matters were going smoothly for AEK, however disaster struck with only 20 minutes remaining. Portuguese left-back Helder Lopes fell to the floor in agony, and after limping off the field of play in tears with the help of his teammates, reports emerged suggesting that the 29-year old has suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury (ACL) which will keep him on the sidelines until the end of the 2018/2019 campaign. Sadly, this is a familiar story for AEK fans, with midfielders Petros Mantalos and Jakob Johansson experiencing the same misfortune in the previous season.
In a show of solidarity with Lopes, AEK owner Dimitris Melissanidis is preparing a new contract offer for the defender as to prove the Enosis’ loyalty to the player. Last year, the Kitrinomavri did the same with Mantalos and Johansson, however while Mantalos opted to stay with AEK, Swedish midfielder Johansson objected and decided to leave the team this summer.
Lopes will undergo medical examinations in the coming days which will reveal the extent of the injury and the recovery plan.
by Shaun Nicolaides
Image Source: sdna.gr
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