Exactly a week ago from today (8th July), Abdelhak ‘Appie’ Nouri was playing a pre-season club friendly for his side AFC Ajax against Werder Bremen in Austria. With just more than a quarter of the game to go, the Dutch midfielder had a collapse after having heart problems (cardiac arrhythmias).
The ace Ajax player was airlifted off the field to be taken to the hospital and was put into an induced coma. Doctors rushed to save the boy who was slowly becoming a super star, having made 15 appearances for Ajax’s first team last year and being expected to be a regular starter this season.
Teammates, Appie fans and general football fans all over the world were waiting for further news on his health and how soon he would be able to recover. However, the club and team management took to social media to give bad news to everyone.
The Twitter handle said that he has suffered severe and permanent brain damage and what is most horrible that the aspiring star was only 20 years old, born on 2nd April 1997. Edwin van der Sar, their former goalkeeper had this to say about the incident – “This is the worst possible news. It’s terrible. We feel enormously for his parents, siblings and other relatives.”
Prayers and support for the youngster and his family have poured in from all over the word. Take a look:
Very sorry because of what happened with Appie, we are with you. STAY STRONG ?? #staystrongappie @AFCAjax pic.twitter.com/iGoSEQJ6uz
— Luis Suarez (@LuisSuarez9) July 13, 2017
His brother released a statement saying that the doctors have given up hope and that Appie will never be able to walk, talk, eat or even recognize any of his friends or family from this day on. While the family haven’t given up hope and have trust in Allah, the doctors believe that the youngster will be in a vegetative state and will never be able to heal from this condition.
What is horrible is that Appie was not only a brilliant footballer, but also a gem of a person.
