Rafael Leao tells YouTuber iShowSpeed to 'stay strong' after streamer is rushed to hospital

AC Milan forward Rafael Leao has urged YouTube personality iShowSpeed to "stay strong" after the streamer was hospitalised with a cluster headache.

In the early hours of Sunday morning, a distressed iShowSpeed, real name Darren Watkins Jr, posted a video from an ambulance, where he could be seen with a severely swollen eye.

The 18-year-old said it felt like someone was “stabbing my eye with a knife” before pointing towards the affected area.

He ended the clip by saying: "I wanted to give y'all boys (an) update because I don't know what's going to happen to me. You know what I'm saying? I want y'all boys to always be right there with me, until I die. It's... I don't know, man.

"But, when I get back home, I'm going to probably chill from traveling for a bit because... a lot is going on. Bye."

Speed would later confirm that he was suffering from a cluster headache. According to the NHS website, cluster headaches are rare but can be "excruciating attacks of pain in one side of the head, often felt around the eye."

In addition, they are not life threatening but can cause severe pain and significantly affect your quality of life.

It is also noted that over-the-counter painkillers, such as paracetamol, are not effective because they're too slow to take effect.

"I am having one of the worst experiences," he said in another video. "I can't even open up my eyes. I have this thing called a cluster headache. A deadly headache disease. I can't sleep, I can't eat, I can't do anything right now."

Speed added: "It hurts so bad, chat. It hurts so bad. I can't do anything. It hurts. Everything I do, like, something pounding my head every time and I'm so angry."

A day after posting the video from an ambulance and the teenager has taken to Twitter from what looks like a hospital bed.

He posted a picture of himself with a cooling pad across his forehead and monitors attached to his chest alongside the caption: "Please pray for me i beg of y’all i need it."

Thousands of people proceeded to show their support, including AC Milan and Portugal forward Rafael Leao, who helped the internet personality meet Cristiano Ronaldo last month.

Leao wrote: "Stay strong my boy," while others wished Speed well after an excruciating couple of days.

Stay strong my boy https://t.co/p7rImQy5wf

— Rafael Leão (@RafaeLeao7) July 31, 2023

One fan commented: "You’ll get through this bro," while another said: "Hope you get better soon man."

Fellow YouTube personality FaZe Banks added: "You'll be back and better than ever g. The universe loves you, we all love you. Sorry you're going through it."