Schumacher 'to have stem cell surgery in next couple of days', Italian media reports claim

Luke Bradshaw
·Sports Writer
Updated ·2 min read
Mercedes Formula One driver Michael Schumacher of Germany smiles at the back of the pits ahead of this weekend's Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne March 24, 2011. The Australian F1 race, to be held on March 27, is the first race of the season after the event was cancelled in Bahrain due to political unrest. REUTERS/Scott Wensley (AUSTRALIA - Tags: SPORT MOTOR RACING)
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Representatives of Michael Schumacher and his family have not commented on reports in the Italian media that he is to have stem cell surgery in the next couple of days.

The 51-year-old suffered a brain injury while skiing in the French Alps with his family nearly seven years ago.

The seven-time world champion was induced into a coma after suffering the injury, and although he came out of the coma six months after the accident, his health has been kept extremely private since the accident.

READ MORE: Schumacher "conscious" after undergoing operation

Schumacher’s management declined Yahoo Sports’ request for comment.

The operation will reportedly be performed by French professor and cardiologist Dr Philippe Menasche, who stated that: “The goal is to regenerate Michael's nervous system.”

Speaking to French newspaper Le Dauphine, neurosurgeon Dr Nicola Acciari explained: “Over the past 20 years, science has made enormous progress with stem cell treatment. But that does not change that we still do not know much about the human brain.”

In September 2019, Schumacher underwent treatment at Georges-Pompidou hospital involving transfusions of inflammation-reducing stem cells, also performed by Menasche.

Ferrari Formula One driver Michael Schumacher of Germany celebrates after taking the pole position at the end of the qualifying session for the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Sakhir racetrack in Manama March 11, 2006. Schumacher and team mate [Brazilian Felipe Massa] will start Sunday's season-opening Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix together on the front row.
Michael Schumacher in 2006. (Getty Images)

Schumacher injury timeline:

29 December 2013: Schumacher falls while skiing with his family in France and suffers a traumatic head injury. He was taken to hospital in Grenoble where he was put into an induced coma.

4 April 2014: Shows ‘moments of consciousness’, according to his agent.

16 June 2014: Comes out of his coma, leaves Grenoble and is transferred to a hospital in Switzerland.

9 September 2014: Leaves hospital and returns home, 254 days after the accident occurred.

December 2018: According to a report in The Daily Mail, the former racing driver is not bedridden and doesn’t require the use of tubes to breathe or eat.

July 2019: Ferrari’s former manager Jean Todt, says Schumacher was making 'good progress'.

September 2019: Undergoes stem-cell treatment in Paris.