Premier League star suffers horror damage in opening recreation of season

On Aug 17, 2024

Nottingham Forest midfielder Danilo suffered a horrific ankle injury on Saturday
He fell awkwardly after jumping to challenge Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo
The game was delayed for seven minutes before Danilo departed on a stretcher

Published: 15:20, 17 August 2024 | Updated: 16:00, 17 August 2024

Saturday’s Premier League season-opener between Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth was delayed for seven minutes after Danilo suffered a horrific ankle injury early in the first half.

The Brazilian Forest midfielder challenged Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo for an aerial ball inside the centre circle before landing awkwardly on his left foot, forcing his leg into an unnatural position.

Referee Michael Oliver immediately spotted the severity of the injury and the game was stopped as medical staff rushed onto the field.

As Danilo was treated on the pitch, members of the response team created a protective barrier around him.

Once this was removed, fans and players were relieved to see Danilo giving a thumbs up gesture towards medics, shortly before he left the City Ground on a stretcher.

Nottingham Forest’s Danilo suffered a horrific injury in Saturday’s game against Bournemouth

Team-mate Murillo pictured (centre) covering his mouth while looking away after catching a close-up glance at Danilo’s left leg

The injury occurred when Danilo landed awkwardly after a challenge with Antoine Semenyo

After Danilo left the field to be replaced by Adam Yates, Forest’s official club X (formerly Twitter) account posted a message of support.

It read: ‘Yatesy replaces Danilo who is stretchered off. We’re all with you, Danilo’.

Danilo – who joined Forest from Palmeiras for around £16million in January 2023 – was making his 43rd Premier League appearance on Saturday.

The 23-year-old scored three goals in 34 games across all competitions for the East Midlands outfit last season.

But it is unlikely that he will feature in that many matches during the 2024-25 campaign, with his injury set to rule him out of action for a long time.