Indeed, soccer is the most captivating sport on the planet because of its intense competition. However, it also poses significant risks that can jeopardize a player's career. Soccer fields worldwide have witnessed horrifying collisions, often resulting in severe injuries. Some lead to a hospital stay of a few weeks, while others may force players to retire from soccer permanently. These injuries can leave a lasting impact on spectators. In this article, Wintips will compile the worst injury in soccer ever. Remember to keep a cool head when playing soccer to avoid encountering such dreadful injuries.
What is the worst injury in soccer history?
1. Aaron Ramsey
In the match between Arsenal and Stoke City on March 1, 2010, following a powerful collision with Ryan Shawcross, Aaron Ramsey's right leg, at just 19 years old, was horrifically fractured in two places. Shortly after, the Stoke City defender received a red card and was sent off.
He walked off the pitch with a fearful, distraught expression, tears of agony rolling down his face. The former Arsenal midfielder had to undergo a nine-month recovery period before returning to the field. However, it took a long time before he truly regained his confidence and form, once again performing as a top-class midfielder.
2. Luke Shaw - The worst injury in soccer
Manchester United fans will never forget the horrific injury Luke Shaw suffered in the 2015/16 Champions League. During an attacking move in a match against PSV Eindhoven, the young English talent, just 20 years old at the time, suffered a brutal challenge from Hector Moreno.
A PSV Eindhoven player made a reckless tackle, causing Luke Shaw to suffer a leg break on the pitch. Subsequently, Luke Shaw endured a lengthy recovery period before returning to the field. Many feared that his career might be over. There were times when it seemed like Luke Shaw would never regain his peak form after the injury.
3. Andre Gomes - The worst injury in soccer
Sometimes, reckless challenges don’t just come from lesser-known figures in the football world. Even top global stars have moments when they are responsible for dangerous tackles themselves. This was the case with Son Heung-min in Tottenham’s match against Everton during the 2019/20 season.
In a contested situation, Tottenham's main striker made a challenge that led to Everton player André Gomes suffering a severe ankle injury. Gomes's injury was so serious that he lay on the ground in agony, while Son Heung-min held his head in despair and broke down in tears.
4. Djibril Cisse
Djibril Cissé is one of the most unfortunate footballers, having suffered horrific injuries twice in his career, enduring gruesome fractures on both legs. The first injury happened during a match between Liverpool and Blackburn in 2004. The Kop's forward suffered a double fracture in his left leg, breaking both his tibia and fibula after a collision with an opponent.
As if that were not enough, two years later, Cissé suffered another similar injury during an international match between France and China. This time, the injury was significantly worse. Suffering fractures in both legs left fans worried about the French star’s ability to return to the field. However, he managed to make a remarkable comeback following only seven months of rehabilitation.
5. Eduardo da Silva - The worst injury in soccer
Eduardo is recognized as a talented footballer originally from Brazil. However, he suffered a stroke of bad luck when he played in a match between Birmingham and Arsenal in 2008.
Following a tackle from Martin Taylor, Eduardo suffered a horrific leg fracture. It was widely considered one of the most serious injuries in football history. After the incident, Eduardo underwent nearly a year of treatment before returning to the pitch to resume his professional career.
6. Alan Smith - The worst injury in soccer
In a rare midfield appearance, deployed by Alex Ferguson, during a clash with arch-rivals Liverpool in 2005, Alan Smith's effort to block a free-kick from John Arne Riise resulted in him suffering a horrific leg fracture. The incident unfolded so quickly that players initially failed to grasp the extent of Smith's injury.
It wasn't until nearly a minute later when the ball was finally cleared from the pitch, that people began to realize the severity of his injury. Unfortunately, unlike many other players, this injury came close to ending Alan Smith's career. After leaving Man Utd, he went on to play for several other clubs but never quite managed to shine again.
7. Petr Cech
In addition to the horrific leg-related injuries in football, Petr Čech's traumatic brain injury remains one of the most haunting injuries for spectators to this day. In a 2006 match between Reading and Chelsea, goalkeeper Petr Čech suffered a brutal blow to the head from Stephen Hunt’s knee.
The impact was immediate, causing intense pain, a collapse, and a desperate clutching of the head. The skull injury had a long-term impact on Petr Cech. Subsequently, in every match he played, he always wore protective headgear to protect himself.
8. Patrick Battiston - The worst injury in soccer
In football history, who could forget the infamous clash between France and West Germany in the 1982 World Cup? While thousands of fans around the world were waving flags in support of both teams, the dangers of the game became evident. Patrick Battiston played a through ball into the gap between two German defenders, catching everyone by surprise.
At that moment, goalkeeper Harald 'Toni' Schumacher rushed out to intercept, crashing into Battiston with full force. Battiston took the full brunt of Schumacher’s impact, his face absorbing the devastating collision. The impact was so severe that Battiston collapsed on the field, unconscious, his left arm dangling limply. This injury became one of the biggest media sensations of that World Cup edition. Patrick Battiston had to be hospitalized for an extended period.
9. Christian Eriksen - The worst injury in soccer
Serious injuries in football often result from direct collisions. However, most of these injuries are not life-threatening and can be treated effectively.
However, at Euro 2020, Christian Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest, causing him to collapse on the field and endangering his life. This incident involving Christian Eriksen was caused by an underlying heart condition. Fortunately, after receiving treatment and with the help of a heart device, Christian Eriksen was able to resume his professional football career.
10. Antonio Valencia
Antonio Valencia, an Ecuadorian footballer who excelled as a winger and full-back, made a significant impact for both Manchester United and the Ecuador national team. He was widely recognized as one of the fastest players in the world.
However, his fast-paced style of play often led to fierce challenges from opponents. Valencia suffered a serious injury while playing for Manchester United in a UEFA Champions League match. This severe injury significantly affected his performance, and he eventually retired in 2021.
Conclusion
From career-threatening leg fractures to traumatic head injuries, these moments serve as stark reminders of the physical risks athletes face on the pitch. While medical advancements have improved recovery chances, some incidents remain etched in history as the worst injury in soccer, changing the course of careers and even lives. As the game continues to evolve, ensuring player safety remains a top priority to prevent such devastating moments from happening again. Thank you for your interest in today's sports content from the betting bookmaker legit website. We hope to continue receiving your support in the upcoming articles.
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