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Spanish national rugby sevens player Eduardo López continues an arduous recovery following a catastrophic leg injury sustained during the Hong Kong tournament on April 18.
Eight months after suffering an open fibula fracture and total deltoid ligament rupture, the athlete still uses crutches during a grueling rehabilitation process.
The incident occurred during a quarter-final match against Australia. With the scoreline level in the final seconds of the first half, López was tackled from behind near the try line, resulting in the full weight of the defender collapsing onto his left leg.
The severity of the injury, characterized by an open fracture where the bone pierced the skin, necessitated immediate medical intervention on the pitch. According to an account published by El Confidencial, the player was attended to by team physiotherapist Antoine Sánchez and physical trainer Manuel García Sillero before being transported to a local hospital.
The subsequent hospital stay in Hong Kong delayed López’s medical timeline. Due to local constraints regarding analgesic distribution and hospital overcrowding, the athlete reported receiving minimal pain management and inadequate facilities. He described being placed in a shared corridor, separated only by curtains from other patients.
The situation reached a critical point when an infection developed at the site of the surgical fixation, eventually spreading toward the bone. It was not until the intervention of team management and fellow players’ partners that López gained access to improved care and communication tools.
Following his return to Spain, López underwent a series of surgical procedures to address the persistent infection and structural damage. Medical records indicated that a subsequent intervention in mid-May required significant irrigation to clear the infection. Despite these efforts, a scan conducted in July revealed that the infection had severely compromised the cartilage between the tibia and the talus, leading to further complications with the internal hardware.
| Timeline | Event | Medical Status |
|---|---|---|
| April 18, 2026 | Hong Kong Tournament | Open fibula fracture; deltoid ligament rupture |
| May 13, 2026 | Surgical Intervention | Infection management; extensive irrigation |
| July 2026 | Follow-up Scan | Cartilage degradation; fixation failure |
| Present | Rehabilitation | Ongoing physical therapy; limited mobility |
The injury has caused as much psychological trauma as physical damage. López admitted to periods of profound isolation during his recovery, struggling with the reality of medical prognosis that suggested a potential end to his professional career.
Although there is a 1 percent chance of coming back to play, I will exhaust it,
he stated, emphasizing his commitment to the sport that has defined his professional life since his early years in Las Rozas.
Currently, López dedicates four to five hours daily to sessions at the High Council of Sports (CSD). While he acknowledges the medical advice he has received from traumatologists, he maintains a focused objective of returning to the pitch.
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