Cabanas remains critical but stable

(GSM) – On Tuesday, Salvador Cabanas received his first surgery. The Paraguay international was shot in the head during an attack in the restroom of a bar in Mexico City.

The 29-year-old striker, who plays for the Mexican club America, was taken to the hospital immediately to receive emergency surgery.

“We operated on his cranium and stopped the bleeding and the clotting and the brain is in a stable condition,” said surgeon Dr. Francisco Martinez at a press conference.

Dr. Martinez said he was unable to remove the bullet, which is lodged in the back of Cabanas’ brain.

“We would do more damage if we tried to extract it,” Martinez told reporters at a news conference. “We cannot assure you that he is out of danger. He is young and healthy. That helps.”

A member of Paraguay’s 2006 World Cup squad, Cabanas led his team with six goals in qualifying for this year’s World Cup in South Africa.

Paraguay’s national soccer association said it was sending someone to Mexico City to help Cabanas and his family, and President Fernando Lugo offered government support.