PLAYING football with a serious knee injury can feel like the end of the road. The physical toll, long rehabilitation, and mental strain make a return to the pitch incredibly difficult. However, a number of footballers have suffered devastating knee injuries and still managed to rebuild their careers at the highest level.
Following several high-profile ACL recoveries in recent seasons, here are five players who overcame major knee setbacks to continue playing professionally.
Zlatan Ibrahimović:
One of the most remarkable recoveries in football, Zlatan Ibrahimović suffered a serious anterior cruciate ligament injury while playing for Manchester United in 2017. At 35 years old, many believed it would mark the end of his career.
The injury occurred during a Europa League clash, with Ibrahimović landing awkwardly. Initial reports suggested he could be out for over a year, casting doubt on whether he would ever return to elite football.
After undergoing surgery and an intense rehabilitation process, Ibrahimović defied expectations. He returned to action just seven months later, showcasing incredible resilience and determination.
Rather than slowing down, the Swedish striker went on to continue his career at LA Galaxy and later AC Milan, where he played a key role in their Serie A title-winning campaign, proving age and injury were no barrier.
Virgil van Dijk:
Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk suffered a devastating ACL injury in October 2020 during a Premier League match against Everton. A reckless challenge from goalkeeper Jordan Pickford left the Dutchman with ligament damage that ruled him out for the rest of the season.
Van Dijk’s absence was hugely felt, with Liverpool struggling defensively without their star centre-back. The road to recovery was long, involving surgery and months of rehabilitation.
Despite the severity of the injury, Van Dijk returned at the start of the following season and quickly re-established himself as one of the best defenders in the world. His composure, strength, and leadership remained intact, a testament to both his physical and mental recovery.
Ronaldo Nazário:
Before Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi dominated the modern game, Ronaldo Nazário was widely regarded as the best player in the world. However, his career was severely impacted by repeated knee injuries.
The Brazilian striker suffered a ruptured tendon in his knee in 1999 while playing for Inter Milan. After months of recovery, he returned briefly before suffering another catastrophic injury to the same knee in 2000.
Many feared his career was over. The injuries kept him sidelined for nearly two years, raising doubts about whether he could ever regain his explosive pace and sharpness.
Against the odds, Ronaldo made a stunning comeback. He returned in time for the 2002 World Cup, where he finished as top scorer and led Brazil to victory, completing one of football’s greatest redemption stories.
Marco Reus:
Borussia Dortmund captain Marco Reus has endured a career plagued by injuries, many of them involving his knee. From ligament damage to recurring setbacks, Reus has spent significant time on the sidelines.
One of his most notable absences came in 2014 when he was ruled out of the World Cup due to an ankle injury, but knee problems would continue to disrupt his momentum in the years that followed.
Despite this, Reus consistently fought his way back. His loyalty to Dortmund and ability to perform at a high level after each return earned him widespread respect.
Even after multiple injuries, Reus remained a key figure for both club and country.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain:
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain suffered a serious knee ligament injury during Liverpool’s Champions League semi-final against Roma in 2018. The midfielder collapsed after an awkward challenge, immediately signalling that something was wrong.
The injury ruled him out for over a year, causing him to miss not only the Champions League final but also the following season and the 2018 World Cup.
Rehabilitation was long and challenging, with Oxlade-Chamberlain working tirelessly to regain match fitness. There were doubts about whether he could return to his previous level after such a lengthy absence.
However, the former Southampton player eventually made his comeback and continued to contribute to Liverpool’s squad during a successful period for the club, showing determination to overcome one of the toughest setbacks of his career.
