Several high-profile footballers are currently progressing through recovery from significant injuries:

Emiliano Buendía (Aston Villa):

• Injury: On August 9, 2023, Buendía suffered a significant anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during training, leading to surgery and an expected absence for the entire 2023–24 season. en.wikipedia.org
• Recovery Progress:
  • May 2024: Returned to training after a nine-month absence.
  • July 27, 2024: Made his comeback in a pre-season friendly against Columbus Crew.
  • September 14, 2024: Featured as a substitute in a 3–2 victory over Everton in the Premier League.
  • January 29, 2025: Signed a contract extension with Aston Villa and joined Bayer Leverkusen on loan until season’s end.

Damar Hamlin (Buffalo Bills, NFL):

• Incident: On January 2, 2023, Hamlin collapsed during a game due to a cardiac arrest. en.wikipedia.org
• Recovery Milestones:
  • January 5, 2023: Woke up from sedation, showing neurological responsiveness.
  • January 6, 2023: Began breathing independently; made a video call to his team.
  • January 9, 2023: Transferred to Buffalo for continued recovery.
  • February 2023: Appeared at Super Bowl LVII and met President Joe Biden to advocate for AED accessibility in schools.
  • April 18, 2023: Cleared to resume NFL activities; announced intention to continue playing.