Moise Kean, the 24-year-old ex-Premier League striker currently playing for Fiorentina, was rushed to the hospital after experiencing a distressing collapse during the team’s Serie A match against Hellas Verona on February 23, 2025. The incident unfolded during the second half at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi, shedding light on the serious issue of head injuries within professional football.
During the match, Kean was involved in a challenging moment. While grappling for possession of the ball, he collided with Verona's Pawel Dawidowicz and Diego Coppola. The collision resulted in Kean taking a knee to the head from Dawidowicz, which left him with a gash above his left eye. After receiving treatment on the pitch, he was allowed to return to play, albeit with his head bandaged. Just moments after reentering the game, Kean collapsed again, this time falling to the ground without any apparent contact from another player.
Worried teammates quickly alerted the medical staff, who rushed onto the pitch to assist Kean, bringing the match to an immediate halt. Distressing scenes unfolded as Kean lay unmoving on the turf, prompting onlookers to fear the worst. Medics placed him on a stretcher and fitted him with a neck brace before he was taken to the hospital.
Fiorentina later released a statement confirming, “Moise Kean, during the match against Verona, suffered head trauma. The footballer is in hospital for tests.” Reports indicated he was conscious during his transport, providing some relief to worried fans and teammates alike.
The match itself concluded with Verona edging out Fiorentina 1-0, thanks to Antoine Bernede’s stoppage-time goal. This outcome placed Fiorentina sixth in the league, five points behind the top four, highlighting how the dramatic injury overshadowed the game’s conclusion.
Kean's transfer to Fiorentina from Juventus over the summer of 2024 marked the start of his second stint with the club, having previously spent time at Everton, Paris Saint-Germain, and his initial period at Juventus. Since rejoining Fiorentina, he has made his mark with 19 goals across 29 appearances. His collapse on the pitch called attention not only to his own health but also to the need for enhanced protocols for player safety.
This isn’t the first time Fiorentina has faced such alarming incidents this season. Teammate Edoardo Bove had suffered a cardiac arrest in December during the match against Inter Milan, necessitating his hospitalization and subsequent surgery. Bove, who was present during Kean's frightening episode, has been vocal about the spirit of camaraderie within football, especially during challenging times.
Both incidents have reignited the conversation on head injuries within the sport, particularly within Italy’s top leagues. The danger of concussions and their lasting effects on players cannot be overlooked, and professionals are calling for stricter regulations and protocols to prioritize player safety above all.
Kean’s health situation remains the primary concern, as Fiorentina fans hope for his swift recovery. Following such unsettling events, the football community is left to grapple with the realities of injuries on the pitch and the introduction of necessary changes to protect the athletes.
These occurrences not only affect the players involved but bring attention to the broader issues within the sport. The football world is more interconnected than ever, and as these incidents remind everyone, player welfare must be at the heart of the game.