Skilled footballers are sometimes dwelling the dream, taking part in the game they love and incomes handsomely – on the highest stage of the sport, anyway.
However there are downsides. Lately, many gamers have opened up on their psychological well being struggles, addictions and melancholy.
Typically, these issues are exacerbated by lengthy intervals on the sidelines – and gamers’ careers are sometimes over earlier than they even start, attributable to damage.
From hamstring tweaks to ACL tears, accidents are a part of life for an expert footballer. Right here, although, is a have a look at a number of the most ridiculous and avoidable health issues suffered by gamers over time…
32. Leroy Lita
Leroy Lita in motion for Studying in opposition to West Ham in October 2006. (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
Staying in mattress would appear like a just about assured means of avoiding an damage. However not for former Studying striker Leroy Lita.
The ex-England Underneath-21 ahead trapped a nerve in his leg and missed the opening three video games of the season after a morning stretch. “It isn’t an damage that needs to be ridiculed,” Studying boss Steve Coppell mentioned. It was, although.
31. Alan Wright
Alan Wright in motion for Aston Villa in opposition to Everton in August 1999. (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
Former Aston Villa defender Alan Wright purchased himself a Ferrari throughout his time on the Birmingham membership – however the sports activities automobile didn’t transform a very good buy for the full-back.
As a result of distinctive positioning of the accelerator pedal, the 5ft 4in (1.63m) Wright struggled to succeed in and injured his proper knee as he stretched to place his foot down. He ended up eliminating the automobile and utilizing a club-sponsored Rover as an alternative.
30. David Batty
David Batty in motion for England in opposition to Moldova in September 1997. (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
David Batty began and completed his profession with hometown membership Leeds United and in addition had spells at Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United.
The previous England midfielder was a tough man on the pitch, however his restoration from an Achilles tendon damage was delayed after he was run over by his toddler on a tricycle.
29. Darren Barnard
Darren Barnard in motion for Barnsley in opposition to Wolves in November 2001. (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
Darren Barnard is finest remembered for a five-year spell at Barnsley between 1997 and 2002, racking up over 200 appearances and impressing for the Tykes of their transient keep within the Premier League.
However the Welsh worldwide additionally missed 5 months of motion with a torn knee ligament. Barnard slipped on a moist kitchen ground after his spouse had cleaned up their pet’s urine and needed to have surgical procedure to restore the issue.
28. Milan Rapaić
Milan Rapaić takes a penalty for Croatia in opposition to France at Euro 2004. (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
Milan Rapaić received nearly 50 caps for Croatia between 1994 and 2007 and had spells at Perugia, Fenerbahce and Normal Liege in a well-travelled profession.
The attacking midfielder aso had two stints at Hajduk Cut up and in a type of, he missed the beginning of the season after poking himself within the eye along with his boarding move.
27. David James
David James in motion for Liverpool in February 1995. (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
David James earned the unlucky nickname Calamity early in his profession after numerous high-profile blunders – and he additionally picked up a few unusual accidents.
The previous Liverpool, West Ham and England goalkeeper as soon as pulled a muscle in his again whereas reaching for the tv distant management and in addition damage his shoulder on a fishing journey as he tried to haul in a monster carp.
26. Alan Mullery
Alan Mullery in motion for Tottenham in opposition to Manchester Metropolis in September 1970. (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
Alan Mullery missed England’s South American tour in 1964 after by some means managing to place his again out whereas brushing his tooth.
The previous Tottenham and Fulham midfielder needed to wait till later within the yr for his worldwide debut, however was not referred to as up for the 1966 World Cup. He was the primary ever England participant to be despatched off when he was proven the pink card at Euro 1968 and received 35 caps in whole.
25. Stylish Brodie
Former Scottish goalkeeper Stylish Brodie in 1966. (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
Former Brentford goalkeeper Stylish Brodie as soon as collided with a canine which ran on the pitch throughout a match in October 1970.
The Scottish shot-stopper shattered his kneecap and by no means performed once more. “The canine may need been a small one, but it surely simply occurred to be a stable one,” he mentioned.
24. Mario Balotelli
Mario Balotelli in motion for Manchester Metropolis in opposition to Dynamo Kyiv in March 2011. (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
Mario Balotelli needed to be substituted by Manchester Metropolis within the Sky Blues’ Europa League last-16 first-leg conflict away to Dynamo Kyiv in March 2011 for a extremely uncommon cause.
Feeling unwell and struggling with a swollen face, Balotelli was withdrawn and supervisor Roberto Mancini later defined the previous Italy striker had suffered an allergic response to the Kyiv grass. Why all the time him?
23. Alex Stepney
Manchester United goalkeeper Alex Stepney makes a save in opposition to Derby County in December 1969. (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
Lengthy earlier than Peter Schmeichel bellowed at his Manchester United team-mates for the primary time, Nineteen Sixties legend Alex Stepney usually bawled at his defenders throughout his 12 years at Outdated Trafford.
However shouting at his again line proved expensive for Stepney in a match in opposition to Birmingham Metropolis in 1975 because the goalkeeper was left with a dislocated jaw. It should have been some actually dangerous defending.
22. Martín Palermo
Martin Palermo celebrates a aim for Villarreal in opposition to Racing Santander in March 2001. (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
Martín Palermo’s profession in Europe didn’t dwell as much as his exploits in Argentina and the Boca Juniors legend was sidelined for 5 months following a freak damage at Villarreal.
After scoring in a Copa del Rey conflict in opposition to Levante, Palermo celebrated by standing on a small concrete wall, but it surely collapsed beneath the burden of his group’s followers, leaving him with a fractured tibia and fibula in his left leg.
21. Kasey Keller
Kasey Keller appears dejected after USA’s defeat to Ghana on the 2006 World Cup. (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
Kasey Keller received 102 caps for america between 1990 and 2007 and performed within the Premier League for Tottenham, Leicester Metropolis, Fulham and Southampton.
One of many USA’s best-ever goalkeepers, Keller as soon as suffered a weird damage as he knocked out his entrance tooth as he eliminated his golf golf equipment from the again of his automobile. Ouch.
20. Charlie George
Charlie George in motion for Southampton in a pleasant in opposition to Shamrock Rovers in Juy 1980. (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
Arsenal legend Charlie George suffered an unlucky accident whereas chopping the grass throughout his time as a Southampton participant in 1980.
The ahead lifted up his garden mower to take away some grass, just for the blades to maneuver and chop off his index finger. George joked that he wouldn’t be capable to take a throw-in or stick up two fingers, however went on to play for 3 extra seasons.
19. Kevin-Prince Boateng
Kevin-Prince Boateng appears dejected throughout an AC Milan match in opposition to Genoa in September 2010. (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
Kevin-Prince Boateng suffered a sequence of muscular accidents throughout his time at AC Milan and after he was dominated out for a month with a thigh downside in January 2012, his girlfriend supplied up a idea.
“The explanation why he’s all the time injured is as a result of we’ve got intercourse seven to 10 instances per week,” Melissa Satta instructed Vainness Truthful . Bonkers.
18. Richard Wright
Richard Wright in motion for Everton in opposition to Arsenal in Might 2005. (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
Former Everton goalkeeper Richard Wright was dominated out of an FA Cup fourth-round replay in opposition to Chelsea in weird circumstances in January 2006.
Wright ignored an indication within the goalmouth which instructed gamers to make use of non permanent targets for his or her warm-up and proceeded to fall on it, spraining his ankle and lacking a number of weeks of motion.
17. Frenkie de Jong
Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong in motion in opposition to Napoli within the Champions League in August 2020 with a bandaged left hand after being stung by a bee. (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong took to the sphere in opposition to Napoli within the Champions League in August 2020 with a closely bandaged left hand.
The Dutch worldwide was stung by a bee and later shared a picture of his extraordinarily swollen hand. It did not cease him from taking part in, although, and he impressed in a 3-1 win at Camp Nou.
16. Philippe Mexes
AC Milan defender Philippe Mexes appears dejected after a defeat to Barcelona within the Champions League in March 2013. (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
AC Milan defender Philippe Mexes missed a Champions League conflict in opposition to Celtic in November 2013 with a uncommon eye situation referred to as central serous retinopathy.
Membership medical doctors have been left puzzled by the issue, however studies within the Italian media claimed it had been brought on by the Frenchman spending “an excessive amount of time on sunbeds”, with Tuttosport noting that the centre-back had regarded notably bronzed of late regardless of Milan’s cool situations late within the yr.
15. Marco Asensio
Marco Asensio in motion for Actual Madrid in opposition to Sevilla in December 2017. (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
Marco Asensio missed Actual Madrid’s Champions League conflict in opposition to APOEL in September 2017 with an contaminated pimple after shaving his legs with an epilator.
The report was confirmed by coach Zinedine Zidane, who mentioned the pimple had left the midfielder unable to drag up his socks. Asensio was mocked mercilessly on social media.
14. Bryan Robson
Paul Gascoigne and Bryan Robson throughout England’s World Cup recreation in opposition to the Republic of Eire in 1990. (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
England captain Bryan Robson ended up sitting out many of the 1990 World Cup attributable to an Achilles tendon damage picked up in opposition to the Netherlands, however the former Manchester United midfielder nearly missed the event altogether after an incident involving Paul Gascoigne.
Amid what Robson described as “daft banter” within the group lodge, he tipped Gascoigne off his mattress, just for the mattress to slide and take off a part of his toenail. Robson wanted a pain-killing injection to have the ability to get via the primary recreation.
13. Emerson
Sitting on the bench along with his arm in a sling, Brazil midfielder Emerson watches his team-mates in motion in opposition to Turkey on the 2002 World Cup. (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
Emerson was Brazil’s captain heading into the 2002 World Cup, however the midfielder broke his arm in a coaching session forward of the primary recreation as he tried to parry a team-mate’s shot whereas taking part in as a goalkeeper.
Changed within the squad by Ricardinho and as skipper by Cafu, the previous Roma and Juventus participant might solely watch from the sidelines as his team-mates took dwelling the trophy with out him. His forlorn expression within the above picture just about sums it up.
12. Michael Rensing
Michael Rensing in motion for Bayern Munich in opposition to Schalke in April 2004. (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
Michael Rensing spent seven seasons at Bayern Munich, however was back-up goalkeeper for many of that point and made simply 83 appearances for the Bavarian giants.
Rensing suffered a again damage whereas tying up his shoelaces, inflicting him to overlook a couple of video games, and he additionally injured team-mate Oliver Kahn with a fierce shot in a warm-up which left the legendary goalkeeper with a black eye and dominated him out of the match.
11. Paulo Diogo
Servette’s Paulo Diogo (left) makes an attempt to clear the ball in a match in opposition to Benfica in October 2002. (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
In a recreation for Servette in opposition to FC Schaffhausen in December 2004, midfielder Paulo Diogo arrange a aim for team-mate Jean Beausejour late within the recreation, however was badly injured within the celebrations.
Diogo jumped onto the perimeter fence separating the followers from the pitch, however received his wedding ceremony ring caught within the barrier and as he jumped off, it was torn off together with a lot of his finger. Docs have been unable to reattach the severed a part of his finger and suggested amputation to the primary joint. Diogo continued taking part in till 2013.
10. Steve Morrow
Arsenal supervisor George Graham checks on Steve Morrow after he was dropped by Tony Adams following the Gunners’ win over Sheffield Wednesday within the 1993 League Cup closing. (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
Steve Morrow scored the profitable aim for Arsenal in opposition to Sheffield Wednesday within the closing of the League Cup at Wembley in 1993.
However the Northern Eire worldwide was injured within the celebrations as he was lifted up and subsequently dropped by skipper Tony Adams, breaking his arm and lacking the remainder of the season – together with the FA Cup closing win in opposition to Wednesday once more the next month.
9. Ivano Bonetti
Ivano Bonetti celebrates after scoring the winner for Tranmere Rovers in opposition to Portsmouth in October 1996. (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
Ivano Bonetti performed for some prime Italian groups within the Nineteen Eighties and early Nineteen Nineties – together with Juventus, Bologna, Sampdoria and Torino – earlier than rocking up at Grimsby City in 1995.
Throughout his time at Blundell Park, the midfielder upset supervisor Brian Legal guidelines throughout a dangerous defeat to Sheffield Wednesday for apparently missing effort and the Mariners’ boss threw a plate of hen wings on the Italian, which flew into his face and left him with a fractured cheekbone.
8. Dave Beasant
Dave Beasant holds a Chelsea scarf above his head after signing for the Blues in 1989. (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
Dave Beasant was the primary goalkeeper to avoid wasting a penalty in an FA Cup closing and went to the 1990 World Cup with England. He additionally missed eight weeks of motion after dropping a bottle of salad cream on his foot.
Beasant captained Wimbledon to their FA Cup closing win over Liverpool in 1988. He joined Chelsea the next yr and throughout the 1993/94 season, dropped a 2kg bottle of salad cream whereas making a sandwich. Trying to cease it from hitting the ground along with his naked foot, he severed a tendon in his huge toe and by no means performed for the Blues once more.
7. Rio Ferdinand
Rio Ferdinand in motion for Leeds United in opposition to Liverpool in January 2001. (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
Rio Ferdinand’s spectacular performances for Leeds United noticed him change into the world’s costliest defender as he moved to Manchester United for a payment of £29.3 million with potential performance-related add-ons as much as £33.3m.
However throughout his time at Elland Highway, Ferdinand was out for a number of weeks with a strained tendon in his knee after watching tv in a single place for too lengthy and making an attempt to succeed in the telephone along with his foot.
6. Michael Stensgaard
Liverpool goalkeeper Michael Stensgaard poses for a publicity shot within the mid-Nineteen Nineties. (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
Michael Stensgaard is just not precisely a family identify and the previous Liverpool goalkeeper was clearly not minimize for family chores, both.
Signed as back-up to David James, the Danish Underneath-21 worldwide spent two years at Anfield however noticed his hopes of first-team motion ended as he dislocated his shoulder whereas making an attempt to arrange an ironing board.
5. Alessandro Nesta
Alessandro Nesta offers a thumbs-up gesture in a recreation for AC Milan in opposition to Manchester United in March 2005. (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
Alessandro Nesta was sidelined for a month in late 2005 with a tendon damage in his thumb, which was apparently brought on by an excessive amount of time on the Ps.
The legendary Italy defender later performed down the damage, denying it had been brought on by his penchant for video video games, however AC Milan physician Massimiliano Sala insisted use of the console had been accountable.
4. Darius Vassell
Darius Vassell at an Aston Villa package launch in 2001. (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
Greatest remembered for his time at Aston Villa and failing to transform England’s final penalty in a quarter-final shootout in opposition to Portugal at Euro 2004, Darius Vassell additionally suffered one of many strangest accidents in soccer historical past.
And in contrast to most of the different accidents on this record, his was completely self-inflicted as he used an influence drill to take away a blood blister beneath a toe nail and ended up with an an infection. Oh, Darius.
3. Svein Grøndalen
Watch out for the Moose sign up Norway, pictured in 2016. (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
Svein Grøndalen was a left-back or central defender who received greater than 70 caps for Norway between 1973 and 1984.
However if you happen to’ve heard his identify earlier than, it’s extra possible as a result of he missed a World Cup qualification match after going out for a run within the forest and colliding with a moose. Sure, actually.
2. Éver Banega
Valencia’s Ever Banega celebrates victory over Barcelona within the Copa del Rey semi-finals in March 2008. (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
One of the crucial proficient midfielders of his era on the pitch, Éver Banega has had his share of issues off the sphere.
The previous Argentina playmaker suffered a weird damage in February 2012 as he ran over his personal foot after forgetting to use the handbrake at a petroleum station, leaving him with a fractured tibia and fibula. He went on to overlook the remainder of the season.
1. Santiago Cañizares
Santiago Cañizares in motion for Spain in opposition to Slovenia at Euro 2000. (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
Santiago Cañizares was all set to be Spain’s starter in aim on the 2002 World Cup, however dropped a bottle of aftershave throughout a coaching camp and tried to cease the bottle along with his foot, which left him with a severed tendon.
The previous Valencia goalkeeper wanted an operation and was dominated out of the event, with a younger Iker Casillas occurring to begin as an alternative. To at the present time, Cañizares says he’s requested concerning the aftershave incident “two or 3 times” a month.
