Atlético Madrid defender Robin Le Normand has been diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) after a clash of heads with Real Madrid’s Aurélien Tchouaméni during Sunday’s 1-1 LaLiga draw between the two rivals.
The incident occurred in the dying minutes of the match when Tchouaméni rose to head a Lucas Vázquez cross. Le Normand, attempting to defend the scoring opportunity, jumped to intercept but collided heads with the French midfielder. Both players went down immediately, with Le Normand visibly in pain.
The match was halted while Le Normand was slowly escorted off the pitch by Atlético medical staff. Tchouaméni also appeared shaken by the incident, but was able to continue playing.
On Tuesday, Atlético Madrid issued a statement revealing the severity of the injury. The club confirmed that Le Normand had suffered a severe blow to the head and underwent several tests. The medical assessment concluded that he had suffered a traumatic brain injury with a subdural hematoma, a condition where blood collects between the brain and the skull.
The club emphasized that the proper medical protocols for such injuries would be followed in Le Normand’s recovery process. The statement did not provide an immediate timeline for his return to action.
Le Normand, who joined Atlético Madrid from Real Sociedad, is a key player in the team’s defense and also represents Spain internationally. His injury comes at a critical time, with Atlético preparing for a Champions League match against Benfica at the Estadio da Luz in Portugal on Wednesday.
