What is the Worst Injury in Football?

Football’s high tempo, athletic nature, and busy schedule almost all year round leave players at a high risk of facing nasty injuries. Whether it be from high-speed collisions, sudden changes in direction, jumping, or forceful tackles, these injuries can have significant short-term and long-term consequences for athletes, impacting their performance, careers, and overall quality of life.

Most Serious Types of Football Injuries

Leg breaks and fractures often require extensive surgery, a long rehabilitation process, and can lead to many months, if not over a year, away from the pitch. The injury can be caused by high-impact collisions, mistimed tackles, or awkward landings, with the lower leg being a very common site of injury due to the nature of football.

Anterior cruciate ligament tears are another horrid injury to face in football. The ACL is located in the knee and provides stability. Tears are very common in football, and are dreaded due to their 6-12 month recovery period, and high risk of re-injury. Even after successful rehabilitation, some players struggle to regain their previous explosive power and agility, and there's an increased risk of developing osteoarthritis later in life.

Head injuries, including concussions and traumatic brain injuries, are a growing concern due to their potential long-term neurological consequences. They are caused by impact to the head via a ball or fellow player. Symptoms can include confusion, headaches, dizziness, and memory loss. Unlike a broken leg or a torn ligament, concussions and sub-concussive impacts often leave no visible external mark, making them harder to spot. Concussions can take just a few days or weeks to recover from; however, some head injuries can end up being permanent.

Notable Cases and Their Impacts

Eduardo da Silva, the Brazilian-born Croatian striker, suffered a horrific and career-altering compound fracture of his left tibia and fibula while playing for Arsenal in February 2008. The incident was so graphic that Sky Sports, broadcasting the game live, chose not to show replays. Arsenal initially stated that Eduardo would miss the rest of the 2007-08 season and Euro 2008. They hoped he would be running again in six months and make a full recovery after nine months.

Whilst Eduardo eventually returned almost a year later, many observers and even Eduardo himself acknowledged that he was never quite the same player after the injury. His influence at Arsenal waned, and he became more of a squad player, often featuring in cup games.

David Busst, a defender for Coventry City, also suffered extensive compound fractures to both the tibia and fibula of his right leg after colliding with Denis Irwin and Brian McClair whilst playing against Manchester United in April 1996.

Manchester United's goalkeeper, Peter Schmeichel, reportedly vomited on the pitch upon seeing the injury. Unlike Eduardo, Busst was forced to retire, undergoing a staggering 22 to 26 operations. At one point, there was a risk of his leg needing amputation.

Petr Cech’s skull fracture, sustained in October 2006, brought attention to head injuries. After his collision with Stephen Hunt’s knee almost cost him his life. It took a remarkably quick three months for Cech to return. Two metal plates were fitted into his skull, as well as the rugby-style headguard, which became his trademark for the remainder of his career. Protecting the surgically repaired area of his skull.

Skull fractures have continued to haunt players, as Ryan Mason succumbed to the injury in January 2017. One emergency surgery and 14 metal plates later, Mason was able to begin rehabilitation; however, 13 months later, he was forced to retire from football. The concern was that a return to professional football could lead to serious long-term brain injuries, even from heading the ball.

How Football has Improved Player Safety

People like to complain about strict refereeing decisions, but some rules are now put in place to avoid players being put in danger. Referees are now much more vigilant about dangerous tackles, especially those that are high (above the ankle), from behind, or involve excessive force.

In 2021, concussion substitutions were introduced. This allows a team to make an additional substitution if a player suffers a head injury, without it counting towards their regular substitution limit. Reducing the pressure on teams to keep potentially concussed players on the field. Players returning from a concussion must follow a strict, multi-stage protocol (GRTP) that gradually increases their physical and cognitive load, overseen by medical professionals.

Teams extensively use wearable tech during training and matches to monitor player workload, fatigue levels, running distances, sprint counts, and recovery metrics. This data helps sports scientists and coaches manage training intensity, identify periods of potential overexertion, and prevent overuse injuries.

Professional matches now feature highly trained medical personnel, including doctors and physiotherapists, equipped with advanced medical kits and quick access to emergency services. This ensures immediate and expert treatment for serious injuries.