Brazilian football club Vasco da Gama's centre-back Rodrigo was injured during a fan attack on the team's bus here.
Vasco's players were stepping off the vehicle to enter their hotel in downtown Rio when they were mobbed by about 30 fans on Friday, according to an eyewitness, reports Xinhua.
Fans threw eggs and manhandled several players, with Rodrigo suffering a blow to the head, the witness said.
It is understood the 35-year-old was not seriously hurt.
The incident came two days after Vasco lost to fellow Brazilian side Internacional 0-6 in Brazil's Serie A championship.
The Rio outfit are currently last in the 20-team standings with just three wins from 22 matches this season.
They were due to host second-placed Atletico Mineiro at Rio's Maracana stadium on Saturday.