Sospeter Itolondo

updated at July 18, 2023 at 5:01 AM

Soccer is the most watched sport in the world, and sometimes the game gets out of hand with gruesome injuries. Injuries are a high risk for players as some may be career-ending while others come back after missing months and years of playing time. Who has had the worst injury in soccer history? Read on to find out.

What is the worst injury you can get in soccer? The worst injury to get in soccer is a ligament and tendon injury as they are painful, one has to undergo surgery, and worst, they take a long time to heal. Some players do not come back after such injuries.

Worst injuries in soccer

Injuries are unpredictable most of the time and cannot be controlled. They may be due to a wrong movement, a bad tackle, or an object on the field. Here are some of the worst injuries in soccer:

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10. Henrik Larsson

The Celtic player's injury took him eight months to heal, an injury he sustained in a match against Lyon on the 21st of October 1999. The Swedish striker ruptured his left leg twice while challenging for a ball against Serge Blanc. His injury was less severe than most people thought; hence he could play the last game of the 1999/2000 season.

9. Alan Smith

The former Manchester United star experienced the worst moment in his career in February 2006 in a game against Liverpool. The star was trying to block Arne Rise's freekick when he clumsily fell, fracturing his leg and dislocating his ankle. Sir Alex Ferguson described it as one of the worst he has ever witnessed.

The star recovered and revealed he played for the rest of his career in pain for the love of the game. In an interview, he revealed that,

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"I knew with the injury it would be touch and go whether I could carry on playing. The surgeon said that. It would have been easier to walk away, and people remember you as a top Premier League player. But I didn't want that, because I loved playing football. Your love of it makes you go through the pain barrier."

8. Djibril Cisse

Shandong Luneng tackled the French star in a friendly match against China, leading him to miss the 2006 World Cup. Unfortunately, the star had also fractured his left legs Fibula and tibia two years before while playing for Liverpool against Blackburn Rovers. The star recovered from both injuries, with the second injury after seven months.

7. Luc Nilis

On the 9th of September 2000, during a match against Ipswich, Aston Villa star Luc Nilis succumbed to a career-ending injury. The star crashed into Richard Wright, Ipswich goalkeeper, fracturing his shin twice. Luc was one of the biggest talents in football and was cosigned with legends such as Ronaldo, naming him one of the best strikers he has ever played with.

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6. Petr Cech

The Chelsea legend is not left out on this list, as his injury led to his face mask, one of the most recognisable looks in the game. During the match between Reading and Chelsea on the 14th of October 2006, Cech's head collided with Stephen Hunt, and had a skull fracture that got him hospitalised. The near-life-ending injury was healed and prompted him to wear the mask during games.

5. Patrick Battiston

The 1982 World Cup semifinal was one to remember for Battiston, who played for France against Germany in a highly contested match. In a reckless high tackle, German goalkeeper Harald Schumacher hit Patrick with his hip, who fell, losing teeth and breaking his back. The injury was so bad that oxygen had to be administered immediately.

4. Kieron Dyer

The former Westham star was injured during a match between Bristol Rovers and Westham on the 18th of August 2007. It was a career-changing injury as the star was plagued with constant issues with his right leg till his retirement, which he described as a remedy. Kieron had made his debut ten days before Jacobson tackled him in the Carling Cup game, breaking his leg in two positions below the knee.

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3. Francesco Totti

The former AS Roma ace had one of the worst injuries when playing against Empoly on the 19th of February 2006. Totti broke his left ankle dislodging his lower foot while rapturing his left Fibula and ligament. The injury was so severe that an operation had to be done with a metal plate attached to the ankle.

2. Eduardo da Silva

Silva's injury is one of the most gruesome ever in the game. During the Arsenal vs Birmingham match on the 23rd of February 2008, Martin Taylor tackled the former Arsenal star dislocating his left ankle. He also broke Silva's left Fibula. The star was hospitalised immediately and recovered in a year to continue representing his club at a high level.

1. David Busst

Which is the worst injury of all time in soccer? David Busst's injury takes the top spot as the worst injury in soccer ever. The unfortunate event happened on the 8th of April 1996 in a match between Manchester United and Coventry City. The Coventry star had to undergo over 22 surgeries after the game promoting his retirement.

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David collided with two Manchester United players, Brian McClair and Denis Irwin while contesting for a corner. His tibia and Fibula in his right foot were broken with blood oozing, which had to be cleared from the pitch. The injured foot contracted MRSA, which was unfortunate.

What is the worst injury in women's soccer?

The worst injury in women's soccer is an ACL injury. ACL injuries are painful and may mean losing more than a year from the pitch. Women suffer from the injury more than women.

What injury happens the most in soccer?

The most common injury in the sport is an ankle sprain. Even elite athletes suffer from this as the leg is the most attacked part of the body. Sometimes, players may make a wrong step while running or walking, spraining their ankles.

David Busst has experienced the worst injury in soccer history. Most severe injuries are career-ending. However, some players fight the pain and get back on the pitch for the love of the game.

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READ ALSO: Who is Cristina Serra, Pep Guardiola's wife? Bio and all the details

Sports Brief also reported about Cristina Serra, Pep Guardiola's wife. The star coach has had one of the best careers in the world, having won the treble with different teams; hence people are curious about his better half.

Who is Guardiola's wife? Click on the link above to learn more about Cristina Serra.