Football history has seen some breathtaking injuries. Here’s a look at the worst soccer injuries ever

Football is a beautiful game, but only one aspect of life that makes it a dangerous one is the brutal injuries on the field. So let’s look at some of the worst soccer injuries that happened.

10. Luke Shaw- PSV vs Man Utd, September 15, 2015 

It was a UEFA Champions League match between PSV Eindhoven and Manchester United when Luke Shaw suffered a double leg break. He even admitted that he feared he might never play again.

Shaw was out for ten months but made his comeback in a friendly against Wigan in mid-July.

9. Jacob Olesen – Viborg FF (Danish Superliga)

Danish Striker Jacob Olesen suffered a horrific injury as he dislocated his left ankle while playing a match in October 2006. It kept him out for six months. 

8. Alan Smith- Liverpool vs Manchester United, February 18, 2006

Sir Alex Ferguson has described it as one of the worst injuries he has ever seen on the football field. Smith broke his left leg and dislocated his ankle after landing awkwardly while blocking a free kick. It kept him out for seven months.

7. Ewald Lienen – Aminia Bielefield vs Werder Breman, August 14, 1981 

Ewald Lienen suffered a brutal injury when defender Norbert Siegmann slit his thigh open with his studs, resulting in a deep open wound of 25cm, exposing his muscle and femur. 

The wound got 23 stitches, and Lienen started practising again after 17 days. This is one of the worst soccer injuries in terms of open wounds.

6. Djibrll Cisse- Blackburn v Liverpool, October 30, 2004

Cisse’s leg break happened at Ewood Park while playing Liverpool, where his tibia and fibula both got fractured due to an awkward fall after the striker caught his blade boots in the turf.

He was out of action for just seven months as he made a miraculous comeback after such a severe blow.

5. Henrik Larsson – Celtic vs Lyon, October 21, 1999

Larsson suffered a horrific career-threatening injury, breaking his leg in two places. This kept him out for eight months. Celtic got defeated against Lyon 0-1 in that UEFA cup match.

4. Luc Nilis- Aston Villa vs Ipswich, September 9, 2000

Belgian striker Nilis joined Aston Villa on a free transfer. Still, his hope of playing in the Premier League was short-lived as he sustained a double fracture on his right leg following a collision with Ipswich keeper Richard Wright.

Nilis was forced to announce his retirement four months later.

3. Luciano Almeida – Botafogo vs Flamengo, 2007

Luciano suffered a deadly injury during a match between two Brazilian clubs as his right ankle got dislocated and poorly broken. It kept him out for five months until he was fully recovered.

2. David Bust- Manchester United vs Coventry City, April 8, 1996

It is arguably one of the most infamous football injuries ever. It was so bad that BBC and Sky refrained from showing the heart-wrenching footage of the Coventry defender’s collision with Manchester United defender Denis Irwin. 

1. Petr Cech- Reading vs Chelsea, October 14, 2006

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech nearly lost his life following a controversial challenge from Reading’s Stephen Hunt. He was left severely concussed after being kneed in the head, which resulted in him collapsing in the dressing room.

He had suffered a blood clot and underwent emergency surgery for a depressed skull fracture. However, he made a miraculous return just three months later, wearing a rugby-style head guard that protects the part of his skull area weakened by the collision.

Predicted Celtic line-up to face AEK Athens in Champions League qualifier

Scottish champions Celtic host AEK Athens on Wednesday in the first leg of their third qualifying round tie of the Champions League.

Celtic face four rounds of qualifiers to reach the Champions League group stage, and have already beaten Armenians Alashkert and Rosenborg.

Brendan Rodgers’ side have started their title defence in style, beating Livingston 3-1 on Saturday. After a winning start to the 2018/19 league campaign, the Bhoys will be targeting a third successive Champions League group stage campaign under Brendan Rodgers as they look to make their mark in Europe.

Team News

Olivier Ntcham is a doubt for the AEK Athens game after limping out of Saturday’s 3-1 win over Livingston with an ankle injury.

Moussa Dembele remains sidelined with a hamstring injury, while Dedryck Boyata has returned to full training after an extended break following the World Cup.

Probable Celtic XI

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Manager: Brendan Rodgers

Craig Gordon (GK)

Celtic’s No.1 in goal, Craig Gordon is expected to start against the Greek outfit on Wednesday.

Mikael Lustig (RB)

Back in the squad after an extended break which followed the World Cup, Lustig looked really lively in Saturday’s game against Livingston and should start Wednesday’s game.

Kristoffer Ajer (CB)

Ajer looked composed during the season opener on Saturday and should keep his place when Celtic host AEK Athens on Wednesday night.

Jozo Simunovic (CB)

Jozo Simunovic returns from his two-game suspension and should slot back into the team straight away.

Jonny Hayes (LB)

Back to full fitness after breaking his leg last December, Hayes provided the cross from which Rogic netted the opener against Livingston. After a decent game on Saturday, he should start here.

Scott Brown (CM)

Brown should be deployed in his usual role at the heart of midfield. He will sit in front of the defence and do the dirty work.

Eboue Kouassi (CM)

With Ntcham a doubt for the game, Eboue Kouassi could get a chance to start alongside Brown in the middle of the park. If he gets the chance, the young Ivorian must grab it with both the hands.

Callum McGregor (LW)

Confident and hard-working, McGregor was a top contributor last term. He has started the new campaign well and if continues it, McGregor would be difficult to stop.

Tom Rogic (CAM)

Rogic was excellent against Livingston, opening the scoring and running the show on Saturday. A sure starter on Wednesday.

Scott Sinclair

Scott Sinclair (RW)

Sinclair netted 18 goals in all competitions last season and will be hungry to build on it. With his blistering pace and trickery, the 29-year-old could be a real handful for the AEK Athens defenders.

Read more: Why Celtic re-signing £12m Premier League starlet could turn out to be a masterstroke by Rodgers

Odsonne Edouard (ST)

Edouard found himself on the scoresheet against a Livingston side that was tormented by Rodgers’ men for most of the day. The young striker is expected to lead Celtic’s attack against the Greek opponents.

Predicted Rangers line-up to face Maribor in Europa League qualifier

Steven Gerrard finally made his Scottish Premiership bow as Rangers manager on Sunday but his side were denied three points against Aberdeen.

A James Tavernier penalty was cancelled out by Aberdeen’s Bruce Anderson very late in the game to leave Gerrard frustrated.

After the 1-1 draw at Aberdeen, Gerrard’s men turn their attention towards Europe where they host Maribor in the Europa League’s third qualifying round on Thursday.

Rangers are looking to cement their place in the Europa League group stages after negotiating FK Shkupi and NK Osijek in the previous rounds.

Team News

Ryan Jack is a doubt for the game against Maribor after getting injured in the 1-1 draw at Pittodrie. The midfielder, who ran the show against Aberdeen, left the stadium on a stretcher after the collision, which looked like a knock to his neck and head.

Meanwhile, Lee Wallace, Graham Dorrans, Jordan Rossiter and Declan John remain sidelined due to injury problems.

Probable Rangers XI

Formation: 4-4-1-1

Manager: Steven Gerrard

Allan McGregor (GK)

Starting in goal should be Allan McGregor, who was unable to keep a clean sheet at Aberdeen as Bruce Anderson scored a late equaliser.

James Tavernier

James Tavernier (RB)

Tavernier could be a great player if he remains focused to his job as he showed against Aberdeen. Scored the penalty and was defensively excellent throughout the game. He should start on Thursday.

Connor Goldson (CB)

Goldson was happy to take responsibility for leading the defence and hardly put a foot wrong on Sunday. Very composed with the ball at his feet. He should be in line for a start against Maribor.

Nikola Katic (CB)

Katic has been really good since joining Rangers and needs to be at his best to keep the Maribor attackers at bay.

Jon Flanagan (LB)

Though he is reliable as ever on the left-hand side of the back-four, Flanagan needs to improve his positional sense as he has the habit of getting caught out of position at times.

Lassana Coulibaly (CM)

Coulibaly is a workhorse but often commits cheap fouls. He could turn out to be a player of real significance for Gerrard this season.

Ross McCrorie (CM)

With Ryan Jack a big doubt against Maribor, McCrorie should start in his position. The youngster, who can also play in defence, possesses tactical awareness, intelligence in possession and ability to start attacks from deep.

Scott Arfield (RM)

Arfield is an industrious and tenacious player who showed his quality against Aberdeen. Due to his wealth of experience, the Canada international could be such a vital player for Rangers.

Jamie Murphy (LM)

Jamie Murphy needs to improve his overall game if he is to become a regular starter under Gerrard.

Josh Windass

Josh Windass (SS)

Windass can play in various positions across the front line but he thrives playing centrally behind the main striker.

Read more: Brilliant Jack, Poor Morelos – The best and the worst rated Rangers stars vs Aberdeen

Alfredo Morelos (ST)

It was really foolish from Morelos, who received a red card for kicking Aberdeen’s Scott McKenna. However, he could start on Thursday as Gerrard looks to put the Aberdeen result behind him.