Rico was rushed to hospital in a helicopter after being involved in a horse-riding accident in the Spanish province of Huelva in May 2023.

The 31-year-old was left in a serious condition and received messages of love and support from across the footballing world after being placed into an induced coma for three weeks.

Spanish media claimed that Rico had collided with a runaway horse and a medical report at the time suggested he had been ‘half a centimetre’ from certain death.

The injury effectively brought an end to Rico’s Paris Saint-Germain career, with Spaniard failing to make an appearance for the Ligue 1 giants across the entirety of last season.

It was announced in June that Rico had left PSG upon the expiration of his contract in the French capital and the shot-stopper has since been in advanced talks to join Al-Gharafa.

According to The Daily Mail, the Spain international has travelled to Qatar this week to put the finishing touches on the move.

Al-Gharafa are signing a player with a wealth of experience under his belt and an impressive CV in the game, with two Europa League trophies and two Ligue 1 titles among his many accolades.

Earlier this year, Rico revealed how the accident may have killed him had it not been for football.

‘Everything revolves around football; football is my life,’ the ex-Fulham, PSG and Sevilla man told Canal+ Foot.

‘The doctor said so too, that in the end, one of my arteries was a little thicker or larger than that of a person who didn’t do as much sport.

‘I feel very fortunate to still be alive because it was very serious and my life was at stake.

Rico said he ‘almost jumped out of the hospital bed’ when a doctor told him there was a chance he could play again.

‘He said yes and from that moment on, I felt relieved,’ Rico added.

‘I almost jumped out of the hospital bed.

‘Life is very important. No one wants to die, but if I had to stop playing football, it wouldn’t have been worth it.’