Chievo goalkeeper Stefano Sorrentino called Cristiano Ronaldo a "legend" and thanked the Juventus star for wishing him a speedy recovery after being knocked out by the Portuguese player in the season opener between the two teams at the weekend.
Sorrentino, 39, suffered a broken nose, whiplash and a shoulder injury following a tackle with the five-time Ballon d'Or winner who was making his Italian league debut in the champions' 3-2 win in Verona.
A fractured nose, whiplash and a bruised left shoulder.
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) August 19, 2018
Despite his injuries, Stefano Sorrentino is still smiling after his collision with Cristiano Ronaldo. pic.twitter.com/qtdHfj8Pxp
"I received a message of solidarity and speedy recovery from Cristiano Ronaldo. Thank you legend!" Sorrentino wrote on Twitter.
Sorrentino's head collided with Ronaldo's thigh and he collapsed motionless on the pitch at the Bentegodi Stadium before being stretchered off and taken to hospital.
Cristiano Ronaldo reached out to Chievo goalkeeper Stefano Sorrentino after their clash on Saturday https://t.co/iyRaDWlOub pic.twitter.com/YNEy7yvnpT
— Goal (@goal) August 20, 2018
The former Torino and Palermo player later posted a photo of himself on Twitter wearing a neck brace with his nose heavily bandaged.
What a save by Sorrentino to deny Cristiano Ronaldo his first goal with Juventus pic.twitter.com/QoJwaYS9ds
— S⚽ccerapy (@soccerapy) August 18, 2018