An emotional Sergio Rico hailed his wife’s support and dedication as he left hospital for the first time on Friday following his miraculous recovery from a life-threatening accident.

The 29-year-old suffered severe blows to the head and neck as he was trampled by a horse and spent 36 days in intensive care as medical personnel tried to save his life.

Rico, who was the subject of tributes from him PSG teammates during the title celebrations in May, thanked those who had contributed to his remarkable recovery. But wanted to reserve special praise for Alba Silva, his wife, who remained by his side during the ordeal.

“I feel pretty good,” he told reporters outside the hospital in Seville. “I wanted to say a few words to thank my family and my wife. I wanted to thank the world of football who sent me messages of support.

“Everyone who stopped for a minute to support me, I thank them. Also, of course, the staff at Virgen del Rocio Hospital, who are top-notch professionals.

Sergio Rico has been released after his remarkable three-month recovery from life-threatening injuries

A 29-year-old man fought back tears as he spoke to reporters outside Virgen del Rocio Hospital

Rico spent just one season on loan in the Premier League with Fulham in the 2018-19 season

‘I feel very emotional. Thanks especially to my wife, who spent nearly 20 hours a day with me.

For much of the time between the near-fatal crash and today’s heartwarming development, Rico’s outlook didn’t seem particularly positive.

In May, the former Fulham stopper returned to his hometown of Seville to observe one of Spain’s biggest religious festivals in El Rocio, Andalucia.

But was knocked unconscious on the morning of May 28 when his horse delivered two devastating blows – one to the head and another to the neck – after Rico fell as the horse flailed.

According to the report filed by the local police, which was seen by Athleticismdoctors later noted that if the wound was half a centimeter deeper, he would have died instantly.

Despite a delayed emergency response, the Spain international was picked up by two bystanders who happened to be nurses and helped administer first aid.

He was then transported to hospital where he was admitted to the intensive care unit, sedated, intubated and stabilized.

News of the incident quickly began circulating around the world and many of the hitchhiker’s current and former teammates dedicated messages of support to him.

Kylian Mbappe and Paris Saint-Germain paid tribute to Sergio Rico against Clermont Foot

Lionel Messi and the PSG squad wore warm-up t-shirts with the goalkeeper’s face on them before a game

Rico’s former side Sevilla sent a message of support on the club’s Twitter account, while president Pepe Castro visited him in hospital.

In total, Rico spent 19 days in a coma before beginning his incredible journey to full recovery. In June, Silva revealed that he started interacting for the first time since the accident.

‘He’s getting better. He communicates, Sergio communicates,” she told Antena 3. “He communicates. He calls us by name and all, he knows full well who everyone who comes in is and has an excellent memory.

Leaving hospital on Friday, a slimmer Rico, who is believed to have lost more than 20kg each week he was in intensive care, embarked on a period of continued recovery for the next few months in Seville.

A return to football and to PSG, where he was due to sign a contract renewal until 2028, is not the main concern at present.