Nigerian striker Taiwo Awoniyi suffered a terrifying abdominal injury after slamming into the goalpost during a late-game scoring attempt in a Premier League clash between Nottingham Forest and Leicester City on Sunday.
The 27-year-old suffered a ruptured intestine after colliding with a goal post in Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Leicester.
With Forest having used all their substitutions, Awoniyi pushed on, playing through the pain — a decision that would later ignite fierce debate across football circles.
Post-match, his condition worsened drastically. Medical teams rushed him into emergency surgery to treat severe abdominal trauma. While the initial procedure was partially successful, unforeseen complications prevented its completion. To prevent further strain and aid his healing process, doctors placed Awoniyi in an induced coma, keeping his body still and stabilizing his vital signs.
A second surgery is on the horizon to finish what the first could not, but for now, Awoniyi remains in critical care, fighting the toughest match of his life — off the pitch.
The incident sent shockwaves through the football world. Cameras caught a visibly emotional Evangelos Marinakis, Nottingham Forest’s owner, confronting manager Nuno Espírito Santo immediately after the match — a moment the club later clarified was driven by deep concern for Awoniyi’s wellbeing, not managerial tactics.
Criticism has since mounted around the decision to leave Awoniyi on the pitch despite signs of distress. The situation has reopened critical discussions on in-game injury protocols and player welfare.
Yet, amid the panic and pain, there’s a glimmer of hope. Nottingham Forest confirmed in their latest update that Awoniyi is “recovering well” and in stable condition. Support has poured in from fans, teammates, and the broader football family, all rallying behind a player known as much for his resilience as his talent.
As he lies in recovery, the football world holds its breath. Taiwo Awoniyi’s road to healing may be steep — but if his fierce determination on the pitch is anything to go by, he’s not just aiming to return. He’s aiming to rise stronger.
