Behind the big wages and TV deals, injuries still happen to professional footballers all the time. Facing a spell on the sidelines can be tough for them. Will players ever be the same again?
Rehab can be gruelling and lengthy depending on the injury, but there are recent examples which show that medical problems and career setbacks can be overcome. These footballers bounced back from injuries and issues, so that can inspire you.
Leroy Sane
Germany winger Leroy Sane had the world at his feet after playing his part in Manchester City’s historic domestic treble in 2018-19. He had his best-ever season, scoring 16 goals in all competitions as Pep Guardiola’s side took a clean sweep of the Premier League, FA Cup and EFL Cup.
There was plenty of speculation linking him with a return to his homeland and Bundesliga big boys Bayern Munich. All that was put in jeopardy, however, just a few minutes into the 2019 Community Shield at Wembley when Sane tore his ACL ligament in his knee.
It’s a tough injury to recover from, especially for a wide player who does so much running with and off the ball. However, Sane rehabbed and got his big-money move back to Germany this summer. Bayern are reported to have paid around €45,000,000 for his services and he’s now joined the Champions League holders.
Antonee Robinson
Everton academy product Antonee Robinson left Goodison Park in search of regular first-team football to kickstart his career, first with Bolton Wanderers and then Wigan Athletic. These were challenging times off the pitch for the United States international left-back as large debts and administration loomed over both Greater Manchester clubs.
Robinson failed a medical at AC Milan this past winter when it emerged that he had an irregular heartbeat. That is a scary thing if you play football, especially when you consider the cardiac issues that cost Marco-Vivien Foe his life and Fabrice Muamba, another Bolton alumnus, experienced.
After ablation treatment, however, Robinson was found that the problem was now corrected. Although he could not save Wigan from relegation to EFL League One, Fulham soon snapped him up after earning promotion via the Championship play-offs.
The bookies expect Robinson to be doing plenty in defense at Craven Cottage, however, as Scott Parker’s side are 11/10 in the football betting on Premier League relegation with bet365. Watch his future career with interest.
David Brooks
Imagine picking up an injury in preseason before a competitive game has even been played. That is exactly what happened to Bournemouth and Wales winger David Brooks. His ankle problem required two separate surgeries to repair with a bit of bone floating found to be around in it.
“It was just a bit of bad luck,” he told the official Bournemouth website in an interview. “I’ve just had to get on with it and get back to fitness.” That strong, positive mindset worked wonders as, after eight months out, he resumed full training.
Brooks not only returned to action before the end of the season, but scored a goal in the Cherries’ Premier League match at Manchester City. As with Robinson, he couldn’t save his current club from relegation but, having made a comeback, other Premier League clubs are sure to be interested in signing him.
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