Former Barcelona midfielder Carles Perez has been hospitalised in Greece after suffering a dog bite injury to his genitals while walking his own dog in Thermi, a suburb of Thessaloniki, on Tuesday.
The 27-year-old, who recently joined Aris FC on loan from Celta Vigo, was reportedly attempting to break up a fight between his dog and another when the incident occurred. In the process, he sustained a deep gash to the groin area, which required six stitches at a private hospital in Panorama.
Aris FC confirmed in an official statement that Perez suffered a soft tissue infection from the bite and would miss Thursday’s UEFA Conference League qualifier against Araz-Nakhchivan.
Club manager Marinos Ouzounidis expressed disappointment at the midfielder’s absence, stating:
“Carles would have been in the starting line-up. This incident happened, but we can’t dwell on it any longer. My mind is working on alternative solutions… That’s why I insist it’s important to have players with personality.”
Perez, who made his senior debut for Barcelona in 2019, has previously played for top clubs including AS Roma, Celta Vigo, and Getafe. His unexpected injury marks a setback in his early days at Aris FC, where he was expected to be a key figure in their European campaign.
The incident has sparked concern among fans and teammates, though reports indicate that Perez is in stable condition and expected to make a full recovery.