5 footballers who could be titled GOAT. A game of passion, talent, and devotion is football. Despite all the positive aspects of this magnificent game, it can be devastating to witness some of the best players miss time due to injuries.
Unfortunately, some of the most gifted footballers have had their careers cut short by injuries, which can be a major setback for athletes.
Injury-related setbacks for injured players can be debilitating mentally and physically, and overcoming them requires great bravery and tenacity.
These 5 athletes might have been the greatest of all time had it not been for injuries:
1 Ronaldo Nazario
Ronaldo needed surgery for two severe knee injuries. The Phenomenon, as Ronaldo Nazario is also known, is considered one of the greatest strikers in history. In his day, his mix of speed, skill, and power rendered him virtually unplayable.
The Brazilian striker had a remarkable career, earning three FIFA World Player of the Year awards and two World Cups. However, accidents hampered Ronaldo’s professional career. He needed surgery for two serious leg injuries, which greatly reduced his mobility and speed.
Ronaldo was still able to achieve tremendous success despite his setbacks, but many think he could have done even better if he hadn’t been injured.
2 Gareth Bale
Gareth Bale was capable of competing against the game’s legends.
Gareth Bale, a Welsh midfielder, was once regarded as one of football’s most promising young players. Bale was a nightmare for defenders to contain because of his explosive runs and amazing speed.
Bale, however, suffered from a number of ailments while playing for Real Madrid, including calf and ankle issues. Bale has still been very successful, winning four Champions League championships despite his setbacks, but it’s difficult to help but wonder what he might have been able to accomplish if he had stayed injury-free.
3 Michael Owen
When he first appeared on the scene as a teenager playing for Liverpool, Michael Owen rapidly made a name for himself as one of the game’s most promising young talents. In his career, Owen scored more than 150 Premier League goals and earned the Ballon d’Or in 2001.
For both club and nation, Owen was a prolific striker. He received numerous individual honors and led England to the 2002 World Cup semifinals. But a string of accidents, including one that seriously injured his knee, derailed his career and ultimately forced him to quit.
4 Marco van Basten
Van Basten made an impact on the game despite only being present for a brief time.
Marco van Basten, a striker from the Netherlands, was a prolific goal maker who assisted his country in winning the 1988 European Championship. He excelled at handling the ball, was deadly in front of goal, and received numerous special honors.
A persistent ankle injury that caused Van Basten to retire at the age of 28 ended his playing days. Van Basten made an impact on the game despite playing for a brief time and is still regarded as one of the best attackers of all time.
5 Adriano
Adriano Leite Ribeiro, also known as Adriano, is listed next. He was a monstrous attacker with an extensive toolkit. He had excellent dribbling abilities, was strong, and could shoot hard. His career, however, was derailed by ongoing muscle injuries and psychological problems that kept him from reaching his full potential.
He had problems with alcohol and weight, which affected how well he played on the field. Despite this, Adriano was still able to win several championships and score over 100 goals in his tenure.
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