Olympics

The Canadian Press - ONLINE EDITION

Uruguay football legend Ghiggia expecting hospital release this week after crash last month

By: The Associated Press

Posted: 07/17/2012 9:01 PM | Comments: 0 | Last Modified: 07/17/2012 9:40 PM

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay - Uruguay football legend Alcides Ghiggia says he expects to be released from the hospital this week following an auto accident last month that left the 85-year-old in critical condition and fighting for his life.

Ghiggia, who scored the winning goal for Uruguay in the 1950 World Cup final to beat Brazil, told The Associated Press on Tuesday in an interview that he expected doctors to let him go home this week.

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"There is nothing better than one's own house," Ghiggia told The Associated Press at a Montevideo hospital. "I had to get everything ready for the doctors to let me leave here. Now I have all that's needed and I hope this week to be at home."

Ghiggia was injured when a heavy truck slammed into the car he was driving. He was in intensive care for 16 days and slipped into a coma with breathing problems. He also broke his right leg and left arm.

"I remember absolutely nothing about the accident," he said. "I feel very well. I believe being an athlete all my life helped a recovery nobody expected."

Ghiggia said he watched a recent friendly between Uruguay and Panama, which the South Americans won 2-0 in a warm-up for the Olympics. Ghiggia said he was not impressed.

"I didn't like how Uruguay played," he said. "It was like a practice. ... I hope that it goes well for them and they pick up a new Olympic gold medal."

It has been 84 years since Uruguay last played football at the Olympics after winning back-to-back golds in 1924 and 1928.

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