As a player, there are few things worse than getting injured before a big match or competition. Over the years, some of football’s most admired stars have suffered this cruel fate and missed out on the biggest game or tournament of their lives.
Spanish women’s midfielder, Alexia Putellas, is the latest name to add to that list. The Barcelona star is the reigning Women’s Ballon d’Or winner and was set to light up Euro 2022 this summer.
However, the 28-year-old suffered anterior cruciate ligament damage on the eve of the competition, having sprained her knee in training.
Putellas says she has faith she can “finish what I started” but she will be forced to watch Euro 2022 from the stands. The Spaniard will understandably be gutted to miss such a big event, but she is far from the first footballer to be dealt such an agonising blow.