Concern in England: A Nottingham player is in an induced coma after a match injury that could have been fatal.

These are not easy times for Nottingham Forest. Taiwo Awoniyi , the team's revelation striker of the season and fighting to qualify for the Champions League , is going through a critical moment after undergoing emergency surgery for an abdominal injury that could have been fatal. The club confirmed that the 27-year-old Nigerian player underwent surgery after the severity of his condition was detected on Monday, a day after the Premier League match against Leicester , where he received the blow.

It all happened last Sunday, during the visitors' agonizing 2-2 draw thanks to a stunning goal from Argentine Facundo Buonanotte , when the Nigerian crashed into the post. What was striking was that, after several minutes of medical attention, he returned to the field, although he was later replaced. Hours later, doctors detected the severity of the abdominal blow, which led to emergency surgery .

The world is praying for Taiwo Awoniyi: the Nottingham Forest player suffered this serious blow against Leicester in the Premier League, underwent emergency surgery and is receiving intensive care. pic.twitter.com/8MAZ3jvmX1

— SportsCenter (@SC_ESPN) May 14, 2025

Forest confirmed that Awoniyi is "recovering well," although the club questioned the medical staff for allowing him to continue playing after the knock. The striker remained on the pitch because there were no more substitutions and the team was looking for a crucial win to keep their Champions League hopes alive. After the match, there was a heated exchange between club owner Evangelos Marinakis and manager Nuno Espírito Santo over the player's exposure .

In a statement, the club clarified the situation: "The severity of Taiwo Awoniyi's injury is a powerful reminder of the physical risks involved in football and why a player's health and well-being must always be our priority. This principle is not just a policy for us, but the deep conviction of our owner. For Evangelos Marinakis, this is not just a club, it's a family, and he instills that message in all of us.

The striker has appeared in 26 league matches this season, but has only started three of them, scoring just one goal. This contrasts with his performance in the 2022/23 campaign, when he reached the 10-goal mark. Despite his limited opportunities on the pitch, his contribution was significant for the forward line, partnered with former Manchester United player Elanga.