PARIS (AP) – Jean-Pierre Adams, a former France and Paris Saint-Germain defender who spent 39 years in a coma, has died. He was 73 years old.
On Monday, in a poignant tribute, PSG described him as the club’s “glorious old man”.
“His joy of life, his charisma and his experience demand respect. Paris Saint-Germain offer its condolences to his family and loved ones, “PSG said in a statement on Monday.
Universal / Corbis / VCG via Getty Images French footballer Jean-Pierre Adams.
Adams, cared for by his wife Bernadette, is in a coma at home in the city of Nimes in southern France.
He was injured in a match and needed knee surgery. During the operation at the Hospital de Lyon, an anesthetic error saw him fall into a coma.
As a young man, Adams left his home country, Senegal, with a passion for football.
He was seen by Nimes in 1970 and scored 10 goals in 98 games for the club before playing almost 150 games and scoring 17 goals in Nice.
Adams joined PSG in 1977 and played two seasons there. He then ended his playing career in 1981 after brief spells with Mulhouse and Chalon.
He won his first cap for France in 1972 and played 22 times with Les Bleus.
Although Adams was relatively short for a central defender at 1.78 meters (5 feet 10 inches), he formed an impressive partnership with Marius Tresor.
Adams’ last international appearance was away from home in Denmark in 1976.
Calling all HuffPost superfans!
Sign up to be a founding member and help set up the next chapter of HuffPost