Injuries are an unfortunate part of football, as is the case with any sport. Footballers put their bodies through a lot, and as a result will inevitably pick up knocks.
Most common injuries, such as pulled hamstrings and twisted ankles, are fairly easily treated. But some require an extended period of recovery, and will test a players’ mental fortitude as well as their physical fitness.
We all love a comeback story, there’s something about watching someone do what they love again after a long-term injury that just warms the heart. Here are five players who found their way back after suffering a devastating injury;
Eduardo da Silva
Back in 2008, a title chasing Arsenal side visited St. Andrews to take on Birmingham City. Eduardo, a summer signing from Dinamo Zagreb, had got himself into a good run of goalscoring form and looked likely to score every chance that fell to him.
But his career took a tragic turn when he would be on the receiving end of a reckless tackle from Martin Taylor. The Croatian international suffered a compound fracture and dislocated ankle to his left leg. It was a truly gruesome sight witnessed by all onlookers, and many believed he’d never return to the field again.
However, Eduardo da Silva refused to be defined by such an incident. After an arduous journey of rehabilitation, his resilience paid off in 2009, where he made a poignant comeback for Arsenal.
Petr ÄŒech
Petr ÄŒech, regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers in the history of the Premier League, faced a potentially career-ending injury in 2006 while playing for Chelsea. A collision with Reading’s Stephen Hunt resulted in a fractured skull, and many feared that ÄŒech’s illustrious career between the posts had come to an abrupt end.
Undeterred by the severity of his injury, ÄŒech underwent surgery and, notably, became the first goalkeeper to regularly wear protective headgear. His return to the pitch showcased not only his extraordinary goalkeeping skills but also his resilience in the face of adversity.
Christian Eriksen
Christian Eriksen was involved in a shocking incident at the UEFA Euro 2020 tournament in June 2021. The Danish playmaker suffered a cardiac arrest and collapsed on the field during a match against Finland. Spectators watched on in disbelief as he received emergency medical attention.
As we all waited for an update regarding Eriksen’s condition, we simply hoped he survived the incident, but Eriksen did one better. He returned to the field of play in 2022, and bagged a contract with Premier League side Brentford. A quite miraculous outcome from what looked like a potentially fatal situation.
Henrik Larsson
Henrik Larsson, the iconic Swedish striker, encountered a significant setback in 1999 while playing for Celtic in the Scottish Premier League. In a UEFA Cup match against Lyon, Larsson suffered a double leg break, an injury that would sideline most players for an extended period.
Remarkably, Larsson defied the odds, demonstrating unparalleled determination during his rehabilitation. Returning to action sooner than expected, he not only regained his pre-injury form but elevated his game to new heights. Larsson went on to become a Celtic legend, leaving an indelible mark with his goal-scoring prowess and leadership.
Ronaldo Nazário
Ronaldo Nazário, often referred to as “The Phenomenon,” encountered a series of injuries during his illustrious career that tested his durability and determination. The first significant setback occurred in 1999 when Ronaldo suffered a career-threatening knee injury while playing for Internazionale. The ruptured knee ligament led to doubts about whether he could ever regain his extraordinary form.
Undeterred by the adversity, Ronaldo embarked on a rigorous rehabilitation process and made his triumphant return to football with Inter. He would then go on to secure a move to Real Madrid and add numerous accolades to his name, solidifying his status as one of the greatest strikers in the history of the sport.
