Victor 'Espartaco' Mendoza, a celebrated goalkeeper for Barcelona SC, is currently facing significant health challenges after a career marked by numerous injuries. His most alarming incident occurred 28 years ago during a match against El Nacional when he suffered a life-threatening head injury from a powerful shot that knocked him unconscious. Despite immediate medical attention, he faced long-term repercussions that led to a lengthy period of rehabilitation and dependence on a wheelchair for 18 months.

Mendoza recalls vividly the moment of the accident, describing a surreal experience where he felt as if he had briefly died as a result of the blow to his head. This incident, a pivotal moment in his career, significantly affected his later years, leading to a decline in his health and capabilities, particularly impacting his memory due to repeated concussions and injuries throughout his sports career spanning from the late 1990s.

Currently hospitalized in Portoviejo, Mendoza’s plight underscores the often-overlooked long-term health issues faced by athletes post-retirement, particularly in contact sports. His situation calls for increased attention to the medical care and psychological support available to former athletes grappling with the aftermath of their sports-induced injuries, illustrating a struggle that goes beyond the field.