After being stabbed on Thursday while out shopping, Arsenal defender Pablo Mari, who is on loan at Monza, posted an update from his hospital bed to say that he and his family are “all fine.”
Six people were hurt in the attack at an Italian shopping mall, though local media reported that one person tragically died. Mari was admitted to a hospital in Milan where he underwent surgery to repair the muscles where the knife had entered his back. Mari is anticipated to make a full recovery.
Mari has since taken to Twitter to reassure fans that he is doing well by giving a thumbs up.
“After the hard time we experienced, both my family and I want to communicate that fortunately we are all fine despite the circumstances, and to thank all the messages of support and affection that we are receiving,” the 29-year-old said.
Mari is expected to be able to resume training after two months of recovery, with a return to the field expected in three months.
However, even though he will soon recover, Monza CEO Andrea Galliani told Sky Italy that the player may still be extremely lucky to be alive.
“I fear it’ll be three months before he can be back on the pitch as he can start training after two and put in a big effort as he makes progress,” Galliani said.
“What I’ve understood from the doctor is that if he hadn’t had strong muscles in his back, the knife probably would’ve gone in more deeply and he would’ve died. Being an athlete certainly helped him in terms of having strong muscles that stopped the knife.”
