Fragile Feet: Top 10 Injury Prone Footballers

Fragile Feet: Top 10 Injury Prone Footballers 

Football is a sport that demands a lot from the players. The intense physical activity involved in the game means that players are always at risk of injuries. While some injuries can be minor and heal quickly, others can be severe and keep players out of the game for extended periods. Some players seem to be more prone to injuries than others, and this can have a significant impact on their careers. In this report, we will take a closer look at the top 10 injury-prone players in football, examining the types of injuries they have experienced and the impact that these injuries have had on their careers. From long spells on the sidelines to forced retirements, these players have all struggled to stay fit and healthy, making their careers a constant battle against injuries. 

Abou Diaby, a French former footballer, was once considered one of the most talented midfielders in the game. However, his career was severely hampered by a long list of injuries, earning him the reputation of being one of the most injury-prone players in football history. 

Diaby’s injury woes began in 2006 when he suffered a fractured and dislocated ankle while playing for Auxerre. This injury kept him sidelined for several months. He joined Arsenal in 2006, where he played for nine years, but his time there was blighted by persistent injuries. 

He missed large parts of the 2008/09 and 2009/10 seasons due to calf and thigh injuries, respectively. He also suffered from ankle, hip, and knee injuries, which forced him to miss extended periods of time. 

The 2012/13 season was a relatively injury-free season for Diaby, and he managed to feature in 22 games for Arsenal. However, his injury woes returned in the following season when he suffered a cruciate ligament injury that kept him out for over a year. 

Diaby’s final season at Arsenal in 2014/15 was another injury-hit campaign, and he eventually left the club when his contract expired. He went on to play for Marseille and then retired in 2019 at the age of 32, having made only 198 appearances in his entire career. 

Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima, commonly known as Ronaldo, is considered one of the greatest football players of all time. Despite his success on the pitch, Ronaldo was also known for his struggles with injuries throughout his career. 

Ronaldo’s injury problems began early in his career, with his first major injury occurring in 1996 when he ruptured his knee tendon while playing for his club, PSV Eindhoven. This injury forced him to miss the 1998 World Cup, where Brazil were defending champions. Despite the setback, Ronaldo went on to have a successful career, winning multiple domestic and international titles. 

However, injuries continued to plague Ronaldo, with his most notable injury coming during the 2000/01 season while playing for Inter Milan. He suffered a ruptured tendon in his knee, which required surgery and forced him to miss the rest of the season. Ronaldo made a comeback the following season, but suffered another injury, this time to his ankle, which once again required surgery. 

Ronaldo’s injury problems persisted throughout his career, with various muscle strains and tears causing him to miss games and tournaments. Despite these setbacks, Ronaldo continued to play at the highest level and even won the World Cup with Brazil in 2002. 

Arjen Robben is a former Dutch professional footballer who played as a winger for clubs like Real Madrid, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, and the Netherlands national team. Despite his immense talent, Robben had a career that was plagued with injuries, especially in his later years. 

Robben suffered his first major injury during his time at Chelsea in 2004 when he damaged his metatarsal bone. In 2007, he suffered a knee injury that kept him out of action for several weeks. He also had to undergo surgery for a groin injury in 2009. In the following years, Robben had multiple hamstring and groin injuries that kept him out of action for extended periods. 

In 2015, Robben suffered a ruptured abdominal muscle injury, which required surgery and ruled him out of action for several weeks. The following season, he missed almost half of Bayern Munich’s games due to a persistent calf injury. His final season with Bayern Munich in 2018-19 was also marred with injuries, and he announced his retirement at the end of the season due to his physical struggles. 

Owen Hargreaves is a former professional footballer who had a promising career ahead of him until he was plagued by a series of injuries that caused him to miss significant playing time. Hargreaves started his career at Bayern Munich and was a vital part of their midfield. He also helped his team win several titles including the Champions League in 2001. 

However, Hargreaves began to experience a series of injuries that would ultimately lead to the premature end of his career. In 2006, he suffered a broken leg that kept him out of action for several months. Then, in 2008, he developed tendinitis in his knees that would cause him to miss even more time. The following year, he underwent surgery to repair a double hernia and missed the majority of the season as a result. 

In 2011, Hargreaves transferred to Manchester City, hoping to revive his career. Unfortunately, he continued to struggle with injuries and only played in four games for the team. He eventually retired in 2012 at the age of 31, citing his inability to overcome his injury problems as the reason for his decision. 

Ledley King is a former English professional footballer who spent his entire career at Tottenham Hotspur. Although King was a highly talented and successful player, his career was plagued by chronic knee injuries that forced him to retire at the age of 31. 

King’s knee problems began during the 2005-06 season when he suffered a stress fracture in his left foot. He returned to play, but later that season, he tore the cartilage in his right knee, which required surgery. This was the first of many knee surgeries for King, and he missed several games as a result. 

Over the years, King continued to struggle with knee injuries, and he was often limited to playing just one game a week to avoid exacerbating his condition. Despite his injuries, he was still considered one of the best defenders in the Premier League and was even selected to play for the England national team. 

In 2010, King suffered a major setback when he tore his groin muscle, which caused him to miss most of the 2010-11 season. He returned the following season but was limited to just nine appearances due to ongoing knee problems. Finally, in 2012, King announced his retirement from football at the age of 31, citing his chronic knee problems as the main reason. 

Despite his injury woes, King is still remembered as one of Tottenham’s greatest players, and he remains an important figure in the club’s history. 

Santi Cazorla, the former Spanish midfielder, had a promising career ahead of him until a series of injuries almost ended his career. The attacking midfielder, who was known for his ball control, vision, and creativity, suffered a long list of injuries, including a serious ankle injury, which required multiple surgeries and a skin graft. 

Cazorla missed most of the 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 seasons for Arsenal due to his injuries. In fact, he underwent ten operations, including a life-threatening infection, which almost resulted in the loss of his foot. Despite this, Cazorla refused to give up on his career and made a remarkable comeback with Villarreal in 2018. 

Cazorla’s experience with injuries taught him to be more careful with his body and motivated him to become a better player. Despite his injury-prone history, Cazorla remains a beloved figure in football due to his resilience, determination, and his ability to overcome adversity. 

Phil Jones is an English professional footballer who currently plays for Manchester United in the Premier League. Jones is known for his versatility and can play in various positions such as center-back, right-back, and defensive midfield. However, he has been plagued by injuries throughout his career. 

Jones’ injuries started in his early career at Blackburn Rovers, where he suffered multiple ankle injuries. After joining Manchester United in 2011, he had a good start but was soon hit by a string of injuries that hampered his progress. Jones suffered knee ligament injuries, hamstring strains, and calf problems, which resulted in multiple periods of lengthy absences from the pitch. 

One of Jones’ most severe injuries occurred during the 2013/14 season, where he ruptured his patella tendon in his knee. The injury required surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation period, forcing him to miss several months of the season. Injuries have continued to plague Jones throughout his time at Manchester United, and he has missed numerous matches due to his fitness concerns. 

Despite his injury struggles, Jones remains a fan favorite at Old Trafford due to his work rate and willingness to play in various positions. Manchester United’s medical staff has tried to manage his injuries by implementing a tailored fitness program, but Jones continues to be injury-prone, which has limited his playing time and progression.