Ever Banega’s Season Ends After Valencia Star Breaks Leg Filling Gas Tank

Ever Banega‘s season ended under the strangest of circumstances on Sunday.

The Valencia and Argentina midfielder suffered a broken leg while refueling at a gas station in Valencia, Spain, according to Sky Sports.

When Banega got out of the car, he forgot to pull up the hand break. It started rolling backwards, and his leg was trapped between the curb and the moving car. The momentum from the vehicle snapped his leg in two places.

Banega underwent surgery to repair a broken fibula and tibula in his left leg on Monday. Doctors expect him to miss six months of action.

“The player has suffered an automobile mishap after training and will have an operation on an injury to his ankle,” a club statement read.

The 23-year-old is beginning to fulfill his promise as one of world soccer’s best young midfielders. His talent earned him a move from Argentine giant Boca Juniors to Valencia in January 2008, when he was just 19 years old.

Banega initially had trouble settling at the Spanish club, and he was loaned to Atletico Madrid for the 2008-09 season. He returned the next season ready to assume his place in the Valencia midfield. He’s been a regular in the team since the 2009-10 campaign. 

The midfielder has made 15 appearances for Argentina’s national team and is seen a key player for the team’s future.

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Photo via Flickr/Ludo29