Football is a sport celebrated for its athleticism and skill, but also has a darker side – injuries. Some players, despite their talent, have become synonymous with frequent injuries, earning the unfortunate title of the “most injured player in football.”
Unfortunately for some, it has resulted in slowly delving away into their career. While others have been forced to stop suddenly and end playing altogether. No matter the situation, it’s never easy to have your body give up on you, especially when someone is in their prime.
This article delves into the careers of these types of players and explores the most injured players in the world of football.
Abou Diaby
Topping the list is Abou Diaby, a former Arsenal midfielder whose career was marred by injuries. Diaby spent an astonishing 1,747 days sidelined, missing 314 matches due to 21 different injuries. His most notable injury occurred in 2006 when a challenge from Dan Smith of Sunderland resulted in a severe ankle injury that hindered his development.
Despite flashes of brilliance, including a memorable performance against Chelsea in 2010, Diaby’s potential was never fully realized due to his persistent injury woes.
Jack Wilshere
Another prominent name is Jack Wilshere, who was once hailed as one of England’s brightest talents. Over his career, he missed 1,470 days and 214 matches due to 18 different injuries. Wilshere’s journey took a tragic turn after a standout performance against Barcelona at just 19 years old.
His career was plagued by ankle injuries, leading to his retirement at the age of 30. Reflecting on his struggles, Wilshere stated, “My first injury was my worst… I was 19.”
Marco Reus
German forward Marco Reus has also faced a challenging injury history. With 1,313 days lost and 156 games missed due to 68 separate injuries, Reus has been unable to participate in major tournaments like the World Cup on multiple occasions. His ability to bounce back has been commendable.
However, each setback has raised questions about what could have been had he maintained consistent fitness. Nevertheless, his story is much happier than the rest. He was able to pull back and still enjoy a lucrative career. He wasn’t able to win the Champions League title in the famed final of 2023/24 when Dortmund lost to Real Madrid. But he continued on from there and didn’t stop playing
He chose a much less fitness-reliable league. He joined the MLS outfit, the LA Galaxy where he still plays today.
Stevan Jovetic
The Montenegrin striker Stevan Jovetic has endured a similarly difficult path. He spent 1,510 days injured, missing 214 matches due to 35 different injuries. Including two significant ACL tears during his time at Manchester City and Monaco. Jovetic’s talent is undeniable, yet injuries have overshadowed his career achievements.
Either way, he became the only player to appear in all five of the major leagues in Europe and score at least a goal in each of them. He currently plays for Omonia in the Cypriot League. He transferred there from Olympiacos as, you guessed it, he couldn’t stay fully fit for the requirements of the competition.
Thomas Vermaelen
Belgian defender Thomas Vermaelen is another player whose career has been significantly impacted by injuries. He missed 1,366 days and 267 matches, suffering from various ailments throughout his time at Arsenal and Barcelona. Vermaelen’s injury struggles began after a promising debut season at Arsenal. They continued to plague him until his retirement in 2022.
