A major scare brought RCD Mallorca's preparations to a halt on Monday. Goalkeeper Iván 'Pichu' Cuéllar was taken to hospital after sustaining a significant head injury when a large decorative structure collapsed on him in the dining room at the club's Antonio Asensio training complex, known as Son Bibiloni.
The club confirmed the incident in an official statement, detailing that the accident occurred this morning before the training session scheduled by manager Luis García. The 41-year-old shot-stopper received initial treatment from the club's medical staff on site before being transferred to a hospital for further assessment. The official update stated the player "will remain under observation for the next 24 hours," but he is out of danger.
Immediate consequences for the squad
This mishap presents an immediate problem for the coaching staff ahead of the next fixture. With Finnish international Lucas Bergström away on international duty and now Cuéllar sidelined, Luis García is left with just one available senior goalkeeper: Arnau Tenas. The young Catalan, who has started all seven league games this season, will be between the posts this Sunday at Montilivi. Tenas has kept a clean sheet for 315 minutes across the last five matches, a sign of his recent good form.
To cover training and the matchday squad for the trip to face Girona, academy goalkeepers Toni Dols and Nil Torreguitart will join first-team duties. RCD Mallorca, sitting sixth in the Segunda División with 13 points, face a direct rival in the table as Girona are fifth. The team arrives off the back of a narrow defeat to Almería (0-1) last weekend, a result that ended a positive run of three wins and a draw in their previous four outings.
The veteran's career
Iván Cuéllar, a goalkeeper with extensive top-flight experience, joined Mallorca three years ago from Sporting Gijón. During his time with the Balearic club, he has primarily served as a backup, making only a handful of appearances. His last competitive match for the vermilion shirt dates back to December 2025. Before his spell at Son Moix, the keeper gained experience at clubs like Atlético Madrid, Leganés, and Eibar, though it was at Sporting where he cemented his career with 247 appearances over nine seasons.
The squad, which counts Adrián Fuentes as its top scorer this season with four goals, must now handle this unexpected challenge while maintaining focus at a key stage of the campaign. The match against Girona, scheduled for Sunday 4 October, represents a chance to regain positive momentum in the fight for promotion places.
This story first appeared at Daily Mirror Football
