10 Instances Where Footballers Played Through a Serious Injury
By 90min
Injuries are a part and parcel of the game, and players accept that sometimes the body cannot keep up with the physical nature of the sport. However, in some occasions, footballers seem to disregard their health and continue playing even when they're not 100% fit.
In terms of serious injuries though only a handful of players have managed to stay on the pitch, here are 10 such examples...
Bastian Schweinsteiger
The legendary midfielder was an integral part of Bayern Munich's treble winning side during the 2012/13 season. Yet, what is less known is that not wanting to miss out on any important matches for the Bavarian side that year, the former German international never revealed that he was playing through the season with a fairly serious ankle injury.
He never spoke a word in regards to the serious nature of the injury and only until after the season it was revealed that he would need surgery to repair the damaged ankle. Maybe that explains his difficulty to return to full fitness for current club Manchester United.
Paul Ince
In an all important qualifier for the 1998 World Cup, Paul Ince famously lead the Three Lions into Italy needing one point to qualify for the World Cup. In the first half, the England captain received a blow to the head that needed attention but quickly returned to the pitch with bandages on his head.
As the match wore on, so did the bandages on Ince's head and he ended the game with a blood soaked jersey, as a result of the deep gash on his head. Thanks to Ince's leadership and courage to play through injury, the England side got the result they needed and qualified for the World Cup.
Vincent Kompany
Occurring during Belgium's World Cup qualifier against Serbia in June 2013, national captain Vincent Kompany proved his dedication to the game and to the cause. With Belgium up 1-0 in the 34th minute, the Manchester City centre back had a brutal collision with Serbian goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic.
The challenge left Kompany with a broken nose, a cracked eye socket and a mild concussion. Yet, despite the injuries, Vinny played out the remainder of the game and secured all three points for his country.
Martin Palermo
The all time leading scorer for Boca Juniors added to his legendary status during a Copa Libertadores quarter-final match against rivals River Plate in 2000. Having been sidelined for six months prior to the match with a tear in his anterior cruciate ligament, Palermo was nowhere near fit to play in the match.
Despite the injury, he was subbed on with 15 minutes remaining of the match. The former Argentinian international was the hero of the match as he scored the goal that sent the eventual winners to the semi-finals.
Stuart Pearce
Stuart "Psycho" Pearce is definitely one of football's all time hard men. From crushing tackles to escaping a car crash, Pearce built a frightening reputation for himself in the football universe.
In 1999, while playing for West Ham, Pearce broke his leg after a collision with Micah Hyde of Watford. Pearce famously tried to run off the broken leg and the then West Ham manager, Harry Redknapp, later revealed that Pearce intentionally kept his boot on as a method of delaying the injury.
Franz Beckenbauer
One of football's great legends, Franz Beckenbauer lands a spot on this list with his performance in West Germany's 4-3 semi final loss to Italy in the 1970 World Cup. Beckenbauer played the entire 120 minutes of the match, much of which he was injured.
The German centre-back had suffered a broken collarbone when fouled, yet with all substitutes used, he carried his arm in a sling for the remainder of the game, still managing to put in a fantastic performance in one of football's greatest matches.
Cesc Fabregas
The talented Spanish international produced an his inspiring performance against future club Barcelona in a Champions League match in march 2010. The Arsenal skipper started the match, despite injury concerns after bruising his knee in the previous match against Birmingham City.
Playing through injury, Fabergas led his side to an inspired comeback at the Emirates Stadium. In the 85th minute, he was taken down by Carles Puyol, leading to a red card for the Barcelona centre back and the now Chelsea man courageously took the ensuing penalty with what he later found out to be a fractured leg.
Ally Maxwell
The goalkeeper of Motherwell was simply fearless in the 1991 Scottish Cup Final. After taking a knee to the stomach from John Clarke of Dundee United, the keeper was left in agony. Unfortunately, Motherwell had already used their final substitute, so the future Rangers keeper stayed in the match.
Leading 4-3, Maxwell was called on one last time before the end of extra-time, as he dove with complete disregard for his body to save a volley from 12 yards out off the boot of Maurice Malpas. Tipping the volley over the net, Motherwell had secured the Scottish League Cup. However, it came at the price of Maxwell recuperating in the hospital for nine days after he suffered three cracked ribs, a ruptured spleen and blurred vision.
Playing for England in a vital qualifier for the 1990 World Cup against Sweden, Butcher suffered a head injury that would leave a lasting impression for the fans of the Three Lions.
The English centre back received stitches in his forehead, on the side of the pitch, before returning to play. The constant headers required from a centre back put strain on the stitched area leaving Butcher with a jersey covered in blood and one of the most iconic images in Three Lions' history.
Undoubtedly the top spot on this list belongs to Bert Trautmann. The former Manchester City keeper is famous for his performance in the 1956 FA Cup final, where up 3-1 against Birmingham City with 17 minutes to play, Trautmann sustained a neck injury.
The City keeper stayed in the game and helped preserve the lead to guide the Citizens to FA Cup victory. It has been said that when he accepted his medal his neck was noticeably crooked. A few days later, X-rays revealed Trautmann had in fact played with a broken neck. Legend.