Sergio Rico’s heartfelt words on PSG, Verratti and Neymar

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·15 ottobre 2025

Sergio Rico’s heartfelt words on PSG, Verratti and Neymar

Sergio Rico, a 32-year-old goalkeeper for Al Gharafa, spent 4 seasons at Paris Saint-Germain from 2020 to 2024, experiencing great moments but also a terrible accident with a horse in May 2023, spending almost a month in a coma. In an interview with the newspaper Le Parisien, the Spaniard shared his memories of PSG.

Rico: "It was really great, unique."

"PSG? Pure happiness! It was an incredible experience to be around such great players, who are also wonderful people. And of course, there's the Champions League Final 8, during the Covid period, which will remain a unique moment (2020 final). We were all together, confined in the hotel. It was really great, unique, to experience that while the world was in the midst of a pandemic... I will remember it all my life."

Rico: "With a heart much bigger than himself."

Who touched me the most? Marco Verratti, without hesitation. He is one of the best players in the world, and yet, on a human level, he is someone exquisite, with a heart much bigger than himself (smile). He is truly an incredible guy, I like him a lot, he knows it. I can say he really left a mark on me. Neymar was another excellent surprise. He is truly a wonderful guy, with a real family spirit. (...) He made sure everyone felt at home."

Rico: "PSG supporters will always have a special place in my heart."

A conversation with Luis Enrique? Yes, after the accident, I returned to start my active rehabilitation in Paris. It was my last year of contract and I spent the last month and a half of the season with them. Honestly, he treated me very well, he was always very cordial and I am grateful to him. The PSG supporters? I want to thank them again. Their support and affection during this difficult period helped me a lot. PSG supporters will always have a special place in my heart."

Rico's adventure at PSG ended in a unique way, as he had a long recovery following his accident, making it difficult to regain a place amidst immense competition. However, he was well supported by the Parisian club until the end and eventually found another club in his career. This is a positive point.

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Clearly, the Spaniard focuses on the positive, perhaps with some regrets about what he might have experienced at PSG without this accident, for which he was not responsible. But it's better to avoid dwelling on this point and concentrate on the beautiful moments.

Including the Final 8, such a special moment and a Champions League during which he was able to have playing time. These are great evenings, a period with the group away from the world, which he will not forget.

This includes some teammates who particularly marked Rico, such as Verratti and Neymar. They may have been affected by numerous criticisms, somewhat fueled by certain media that decided to make them scapegoats. But we often see former teammates being laudatory, both about the level and the life of the group.

Finally, we appreciate the human side of Luis Enrique, which is no longer a surprise. Even though, there too, some media tried to paint a different picture. We see that he took the time for Rico, even though he knew he wouldn't really have a place in the project anymore.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.