Shanghai Greenland Shenhua striker Demba Ba suffered what could be a "career-ending" injury as the former Chelsea standout gruesomely split his left leg into two during an awkward play with Shanghai SIPG team captain Sun Xiang in the recent Shanghai derby of the 2016 Chinese Super League season.

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The 31-year-old Ba, who is currently the China top flight's leading scorer with 14 goals in 18 league games, suddenly fell down on the pitch after what looked like a harmless collision with defender Sun in the 64th minute of the derby, which was won by the Red Eagles, 2-1, at the Hongkou Stadium on Sunday.

However, as soon as the Senegal international hit the turf, it became "immediately apparent" that he "had broken his left leg" in half as he clutched it with both of his hands while howling in pain, via Daily Mail Online.

Videos of the said incident showed that it was an accident in the part of both players as Sun was clearly going for the ball and not the striker's leg. The report noted that Ba's studs got caught in the ground as his "body twists towards the turf" and Sun's left leg clipped his own while falling down.

It was obviously an unfortunate event for Ba, whose length of recovery period has not yet been released. Shenhua is currently settled at the fifth spot in the league table, only two points behind the last Champions League qualifying berth held by SIPG with still 12 games left in their campaign.

Shenhua head coach Gregorio Manzano was fearing the worst as he said that the horrible injury "could end his professional career", referring to the Senegalese star.

"I would rather lose the game than lose Ba," the manager added, as per Sky Sports.

The Massive, who were playing without CSL newcomer and current Chinese transfer record-holder Hulk also because of a less serious leg injury, led by one at the time of the incident after local striker Wu Lei scored a goal at the 55th off an assist by Brazilian forward Elkeson.

Shenhua scored two goals in the waning minutes, courtesy of midfielder Cao Yunding and a penalty kick by Colombian import Fredy Guarin at the 87th minute and in stoppage time, to pull off the come-from-behind victory.

TagsChina Football, Chinese Super League, Chinese Super League news, demba ba, Shanghai Greenland Shenhua FC, Shanghai SIPG FC