Napoli star Dries Mertens has narrowly avoided disaster after his private jet carrying him and his pet dog to Belgium slid off the runway.
READ MORE: (Video) Solskjaer accidentally drops Sancho hint during post-match press conference!
Mertens, 33, has spent nearly eight years in Naples during a period of time which has seen the Belgian international feature in a whopping 343 matches in all competitions.
Despite his on-field talents, the 33-year-old will be thanking his lucky stars that he still has the chance to continue to play top-flight professional football.
During a recent flight back to his native Belgium, the forward’s private jet skidded off the runaway.
As reported by European station Het Nieuwsblad (as relayed by Football Italia), Mertens did not suffer any life-threatening and serious injuries but did twist his ankle.
It has been claimed that heavy rain fall prevented the jet’s pilots from being able to maintain control of the aircraft.
Thankfully, everyone on board, including Mertens and the flight’s crew walked away, unharmed.
A private jet with Napoli forward Dries Mertens (and his dog) overran the runway of the Antwerp Airport on Saturday, where he was heading for his recovery from his ankle injury. Both were OK.https://t.co/829nZbHxx8 (@sportwereld_be) pic.twitter.com/XbyUGbPWNd
— Vince Van Genechten 🇮🇹 (@VVGenechten) February 3, 2021