Recovering from career-threatening injuries in football can be an arduous and often long process, but there are a few remarkable stories of players making incredibly fast comebacks. Some of these recoveries defy medical expectations, with players defying the odds and returning to elite-level football much sooner than anticipated. Here are some of the fastest recoveries from career-threatening injuries in football history:
1. Aubameyang’s Recovery From Broken Jaw (2013)
- Injury: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang suffered a fractured jaw while playing for Borussia Dortmund in 2013. It was a potentially serious injury, given the nature of the jaw fracture and its proximity to the head.
- Recovery Time: Remarkably, Aubameyang was back playing in just two weeks. His quick return was largely due to his rigorous rehabilitation and the nature of the injury, which allowed him to return to the field once the pain subsided and the jaw was properly healed.
2. Franz Beckenbauer’s Recovery From Broken Leg (1973)
- Injury: Legendary German footballer Franz Beckenbauer suffered a broken leg while playing for Bayern Munich in 1973.
- Recovery Time: Despite the severity of the injury, Beckenbauer made an astonishing recovery in less than three months, which was considered a fast return at the time. His recovery became a benchmark for rapid recoveries from serious injuries, given the medical limitations of that era.
3. Radamel Falcao’s Recovery From ACL Injury (2014)
- Injury: Radamel Falcao tore his ACL during the 2014 Copa del Rey while playing for AS Monaco, and many feared that it would cost him a spot in the World Cup.
- Recovery Time: Falcao’s recovery from such a serious injury was widely regarded as impressive. He was back playing competitive football for Monaco just six months after surgery, which was considered fast for an ACL injury. His commitment to rehabilitation and modern treatment methods played a crucial role in his quick recovery.
4. Diego Costa’s Recovery From Hamstring Injury (2015)
- Injury: Diego Costa suffered a severe hamstring injury during a crucial match for Chelsea in 2015, leaving many concerned that he wouldn’t return to peak form.
- Recovery Time: Costa made a surprisingly quick recovery, returning to action in just two weeks. His rapid return was aided by a specialized treatment regimen that combined physiotherapy and fitness work to minimize downtime. He scored shortly after his comeback, proving the success of his recovery.
5. Zlatan Ibrahimović’s Recovery From ACL Injury (2017)
- Injury: Zlatan Ibrahimović tore his ACL while playing for Manchester United in 2017. At 35 years old, many questioned whether he would be able to return to the same level of performance.
- Recovery Time: Zlatan defied expectations and made a remarkably fast recovery, returning to training in seven months. Not only did he make it back quickly, but he also scored goals immediately upon his return, highlighting his exceptional physical and mental resilience.
6. Ryan Giggs’ Recovery From Groin Surgery (2007)
- Injury: Ryan Giggs underwent serious groin surgery in 2007, which was feared to end his career prematurely due to the severity of the injury and his age (33 years old at the time).
- Recovery Time: Giggs was able to return to full fitness in just under six weeks, defying expectations. He continued to play at the highest level for several more years, eventually retiring at the age of 40.
7. Michael Owen’s Recovery From Hamstring Injury (2006)
- Injury: Michael Owen suffered a devastating hamstring tear during the 2006 World Cup, just months after recovering from an ACL injury.
- Recovery Time: Despite the severity of the injury, Owen’s recovery was swift, with many medical experts surprised by his five-month recovery period. This was a major achievement for Owen, although his career was later plagued by further injuries.
8. Luke Shaw’s Recovery From Double Leg Break (2015)
- Injury: In a Champions League match in 2015, Luke Shaw suffered a horrific double leg break that many feared would sideline him permanently. It was a gruesome injury with compound fractures to his right leg.
- Recovery Time: Shaw made a remarkable recovery in approximately 10 months, much faster than anticipated given the nature of his injury. His determination, along with advanced medical treatment, played a key role in his swift return to playing competitive football.
9. Paul Pogba’s Recovery From Ankle Surgery (2020)
- Injury: Paul Pogba underwent ankle surgery after enduring a long-standing ankle problem that kept him out for several months in 2020.
- Recovery Time: Despite the surgery’s complexity, Pogba returned to playing in just three months, much faster than expected for such a procedure. His quick recovery allowed him to play a significant role in Manchester United’s midfield.
10. Alexis Sánchez’s Recovery From Knee Injury (2018)
- Injury: Alexis Sánchez suffered a knee injury while playing for Manchester United in 2018, which was expected to keep him sidelined for a long period.
- Recovery Time: Sánchez shocked many by returning to the field in just three weeks, demonstrating an incredible rate of recovery. His commitment to physiotherapy and fitness drills were instrumental in his rapid comeback.
Key Factors Contributing to Fast Recoveries:
- Advances in Medical Technology: Modern techniques like arthroscopic surgery, stem cell therapy, and cryotherapy can significantly reduce recovery times.
- Professional Medical Teams: Top clubs invest heavily in the best physiotherapists, sports doctors, and rehabilitation experts who guide players through their recovery process.
- Mental Resilience: Players’ mental strength plays a huge role in overcoming long-term injuries. Their determination to return to the game often accelerates their recovery.
- Customized Rehabilitation Plans: Modern physiotherapy methods and tailored recovery programs enable players to regain strength and fitness faster than before.