Soccer legend Valdano hurt in Mexico copter crash

MEXICO CITY, Mar 26 (Reuters) Retired Argentine soccer great Jorge Valdano suffered minor injuries along with seven others in a helicopter crash in Mexico City on Saturday, police said.

Valdano, who was carried from the crash scene in a neck brace, would likely be discharged from the hospital today, doctors said.

''Jorge Valdano is conscious and has no injuries that could be considered serious,'' Carlos Lijtszain, emergency room head at the ABC hospital, told reporters.

The helicopter crashed in a street in the capital's business district yesterday, almost hitting a truck, but there were no fatalities. Five other passengers in the helicopter, along with the pilot and co-pilot, were also taken to a hospital.

The cause of the accident was unclear, said Mexico City's deputy public security chief, Gabriel Regino.

Valdano, 50, was part of the Argentine team that won the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. He later went on to coach Real Madrid and eventually became the club's sporting director in 2000. He resigned last year.

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