Revealed: The 10 most injury-prone players in football history

Football is a beautiful game, but also a very demanding one. It requires physical strength, stamina, agility, and skill. Unfortunately, some players are more prone to injuries than others, and their careers are often hampered by constant setbacks. Here are 10 of the most injury-prone players in football history, who could have achieved even more if they had stayed fit.

10. Michael Essien

The Ghanaian midfielder was a powerhouse for Chelsea, winning two Premier League titles, four FA Cups, and a Champions League trophy. He was nicknamed “the bison” for his explosive style of play, but he also suffered from several major injuries, especially to his knees. He missed most of the 2008-09 and 2010-11 seasons, and never regained his best form afterwards. He left Chelsea in 2014 and played for various clubs until he retired in 2021.

9. Daniel Agger

The Danish defender was a fan favourite at Liverpool, where he spent eight years and made 232 appearances. He was known for his elegant passing, aerial ability, and long-range shooting. However, he also had a long history of back problems, which affected his mobility and consistency. He returned to his boyhood club Brondby in 2014, and retired two years later at the age of 31.

8. Marco Reus

The German winger is one of the most talented players of his generation, but also one of the most unlucky ones. He has been plagued by various injuries throughout his career, mainly to his ankles, knees, and hamstrings. He missed the 2014 World Cup, where Germany won the title, and also the 2016 Euros and the 2022 World Cup. He has been a loyal servant to Borussia Dortmund, but has only won one major trophy with them, the 2021 DFB-Pokal.

7. Ronaldo

The Brazilian striker is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, and one of the most prolific goalscorers in history. He won two World Cups, two Ballon d’Ors, and numerous club honours with Barcelona, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, and AC Milan. However, he also suffered from several serious injuries, especially to his knees, which robbed him of some of his pace and power. He retired in 2011, after scoring 414 goals in 616 games.

6. Franck Ribery

The French winger was a key member of the Bayern Munich team that dominated German and European football in the 2010s. He won nine Bundesliga titles, six DFB-Pokals, and a Champions League trophy. He was also part of the France team that reached the 2006 World Cup final. However, he also missed a lot of games due to various injuries, mainly to his ankles, knees, and ribs. He left Bayern in 2019 and joined Fiorentina, where he still plays at the age of 38.

5. Thomas Vermaelen

The Belgian centre-back had a promising start to his career at Arsenal, where he was named in the PFA Team of the Season in his debut campaign. He was a solid and composed defender, but he also struggled with injuries, especially to his Achilles tendon and hamstring. He joined Barcelona in 2014, but only made his debut in May 2015, after a long spell on the sidelines. He never established himself as a regular starter at the Camp Nou, and left for Vissel Kobe in 2019, where he retired in 2021.

4. Ledley King

The English defender was a one-club man, spending his entire career at Tottenham Hotspur. He was a natural leader, a strong tackler, and a good passer. He was also capped 21 times by England, and played at the 2010 World Cup. However, he also had a chronic knee problem, which prevented him from training regularly and playing consecutive games. He retired in 2012, at the age of 31, after making 323 appearances for Spurs.

3. Marco van Basten

The Dutch striker is considered one of the best players of all time, and one of the finest finishers in history. He won three Ballon d’Ors, two European Cups, and a European Championship. He scored 277 goals in 373 games, including some spectacular ones, such as his volley against the Soviet Union in the 1988 Euro final. However, he also had a career-ending ankle injury, which forced him to retire in 1995, at the age of 28.

2. Jack Wilshere

The English midfielder was hailed as a prodigy when he broke into the Arsenal first team at the age of 16. He was a creative and dynamic player, with excellent vision, technique, and dribbling. He was also a regular for England, and played at the 2014 World Cup. However, he also had a long list of injuries, mainly to his ankles, feet, and calves. He left Arsenal in 2018 and joined West Ham, but only made 19 appearances in two years. He is currently a free agent, at the age of 30.

1. Abou Diaby

The French midfielder was another Arsenal player who had a lot of potential, but also a lot of bad luck. He was a powerful and skillful player, who could play in various roles in midfield. He was compared to Patrick Vieira, and was tipped to be his successor. However, he also had a staggering 42 injuries during his time at Arsenal, mostly to his ankles, knees, and hamstrings. He left Arsenal in 2015 and joined Marseille, but only played six games in four years. He retired in 2019, at the age of 32.

Injuries can be devastating for any football player, affecting their performance, career trajectory, and overall legacy. The 10 players mentioned in this article experienced significant challenges due to their susceptibility to injuries. Despite their immense talent, their careers were marred by constant setbacks, leaving fans to wonder what could have been if they had remained fit. Football serves as a reminder that even the most gifted athletes are not immune to the physical toll the game can exact.