ACL INJURIES: FOOTBALL STARS’ CURSE.

Hey guys, it’s Abdulbasit.

You may have read my piece on the Spiderman Video Game last time, but today, let’s switch gears to something gripping football fans worldwide ACL injuries.

For those who may not know, in simple terms, ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) is a strong tissue that connects bones together in your knee. If it tears or ruptures, you’re looking at months sometimes even a year of being off your feet. For footballers, that’s like pressing pause on their careers, and in some cases, it could spell the beginning of the end.

A Growing Problem in Football.

Now, what makes this a serious issue in the beautiful game, you may ask?.

Sports lovers out there, you know the feeling when you’re watching the match and your favourite player goes down requiring a stretcher, not a pleasant sight😬.

Footballers have one of, if not the most demanding schedules in sports, most of them playing up to 4 different competitions across a 10-month season.

Not to mention having to represent their respective countries in between as well. As you’re reading this, since August that the current season started, a handful of players have gone with ACL injuries, which is alarming considering we’re only in November.

I hate to say it but it’s likely the players listed you would increase in number.

Why Is This Happening More Often?

Some argue it’s the modern game itself. Players are faster, the pitches are pristine, and technology has transformed training routines. But with these advancements comes an intense workload and new challenges. Fixture congestion is a hot topic how many matches can one body endure before it gives out?

Others point out that, in the past, players had it worse, harder pitches, heavier balls, and fewer medical advancements. Yet, ACL injuries seem to be more frequent now. Are players overworked, or is it something deeper about the game’s evolution?

What Can Be Done?

What are the clubs’ health officials doing to stop this?. The best they can do is of course, get the ligament surgically repaired and a long rehabilitation follows.

Even after recovery, some players return back to the pitch looking like they’ve lost some of their ability. It’s not just about the severity of the injury in the moment but also its long term effects.

Recurring ACL injuries forces them to retire, in fact. It’s been a unique year in that regard; we saw the recent Ballon D’or winner Rodri, receive his award in crutches.

Some might say reduced fixture congestion and improved pitch quality could address the issue.

However, in comparison to the past, when the pitches weren’t so technology-driven and when players weren’t paid big bucks as they are now, we are in an era where these non-contact injuries are becoming a frequent slap to the faces of these athletes.

Beyond the Numbers: A Human Perspective

Every fan understands me when I say this, dreading the breaking news from Fabrizio or David Ornstein when you just watched a player that went down and was helped off the pitch.

Are these players overworked?, some would say so. But they’re earning huge sums weekly and they know what they signed up for.

There are others doing hard labour out there and earning literal peanuts.

However, if you have a good heart, you don’t want your fellow human in gruesome pain.

The Future of Football.

As football continues to evolve, it is imperative that the well-being of players remains a top priority.

By taking proactive measures to address the root causes of ACL injuries, we can help safeguard the future of the game.

That’s all for now, guys. Stay safe out there and best of luck to you and whatever club you support󰜵.