Inter Milan goalkeeper Josep Martinez has been granted time off and psychological support following a tragic road accident that resulted in the death of an 81-year-old man. Initially expected to be on the bench for the upcoming match against Fiorentina, Martinez will now take a week to recover from the emotional impact of the incident.
The accident occurred on Tuesday morning near Inter’s training facility in Fenegro, when Martinez’s vehicle struck an elderly man, later identified as Paolo Saibene, who was crossing the road in a wheelchair. Reports indicate that Martinez attempted to assist the victim until emergency services arrived. Despite the swift response, including an air ambulance, Saibene was pronounced dead at the hospital shortly after the collision.
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Inter Milan acted quickly to support a visibly shaken Martinez. Upon returning home on Monday evening, he found a psychologist waiting to help him cope with the emotional trauma. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, his teammates and club staff have maintained constant communication with him, and the club has officially given him a week off to focus on his mental well-being.
The incident, which took place just before 10 AM on Monday, led to the cancellation of head coach Cristian Chivu’s scheduled pre-match press conference ahead of the Fiorentina game. Morale within the team has reportedly been low, with players and staff expressing their thoughts and condolences for both the victim and Martinez.
In addition to providing emotional support, club officials are expected to reach out to Saibene’s family to offer their condolences. Martinez also underwent routine drug and alcohol tests at Saronno Hospital, with club officials present to assist him. Authorities in Como are currently investigating the accident, and a comprehensive report from reconstruction experts is anticipated later this week.
This season had begun positively for Martinez, who hails from Las Palmas and developed his skills at Barcelona’s La Masia academy before moving to RB Leipzig in 2020. After two years in Germany, he transferred to Genoa and subsequently signed with Inter Milan in the summer of 2024. He had started to find his footing in the team, earning consecutive starts against Sassuolo and Cagliari, and was working to establish himself as a dependable option behind veteran goalkeeper Yann Sommer.
Martinez is not expected to return to training until next week as he continues to process the emotional shock from the accident. He has been in contact with his teammates, coach Chivu, and club officials, all of whom have reached out to offer their support. In light of the situation, the 27-year-old has also decided to deactivate his Instagram account to avoid potential online harassment. Meanwhile, Inter Milan, currently positioned fourth in the Serie A standings, is doing everything possible to protect Martinez as he navigates through one of the most challenging periods of his career.
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