Sometimes, football takes a back seat to real life—and that’s exactly what happened to Manchester United defender Victor Lindelof during a recent high-stakes Europa League night.
While fans were focused on the quarter-final clash against Lyon at Old Trafford, Lindelof quietly slipped away at half-time, leaving many puzzled.
The truth behind his sudden departure was deeply personal—and heart-wrenching.
A Terrifying Call Just Before Kick-Off
Lindelof wasn’t in the starting lineup for United’s Europa League second leg but was on the bench, ready if needed.
However, just before the match kicked off, an emergency call shattered any hope of his mind being on football.
His wife, Maja, later shared the terrifying news on social media: their youngest son, Francis, had been rushed to the hospital.
Maja explained, “An hour before the game started, our babysitter called and said they were in an ambulance on the way to the hospital. My youngest son Francis had split his entire head open.”
A Freak Accident at Home
What was meant to be just another evening turned into a nightmare for the Lindelof family.
According to Maja, Francis had been playfully chasing his older brother, Ted Louie, when he tragically fell into a glass staircase at home.
The impact was so severe that his forehead was described as being “in two parts.”
He was hospitalized over the next two days, and doctors determined he needed plastic surgery to repair the damage. He was placed under anesthesia for the procedure, which, thankfully, went smoothly.
A Mother’s Pain and a Little Viking’s Strength
“I’ve never experienced anything like this with one of my kids,” Maja wrote.
“It was incredibly unpleasant, and not something I ever want to go through again.”
Despite the trauma, she shared that Francis recovered like a champ. “He’s a Viking—back to normal,” she added proudly.
“Everyone was so worried, but he’s carrying on like nothing even happened.”
Doctors told the family that Francis will have a noticeable scar on his forehead, but Maja’s perspective was filled with gratitude.
“Never mind the scar—I’m just so happy it all turned out okay.”
Back on the Pitch After a Rollercoaster Week
Just days later, Lindelof returned to action, leading Manchester United as captain during a Premier League match against Wolves.
The Red Devils ultimately lost 1–0 at home, but Lindelof’s presence on the pitch was a testament to his resilience in balancing professional commitment with personal turmoil.
Family First, But Football Questions Linger
Victor and Maja Lindelof, married since May 2018, are expecting their third child this year, adding another layer of change to their already full lives.
Yet, beyond the family drama, there are whispers about Lindelof’s future at Old Trafford.
His contract is set to expire at the end of June, and while he’s racked up an impressive 277 appearances for Manchester United since arriving from Benfica in 2017—collecting a League Cup and FA Cup along the way—his next chapter with the club remains uncertain.