Footballers are renowned for their injuries, but some are so bizarre that they defy belief. From dislocated fingers in ping pong bust-ups to broken jaws caused by eating carrots, these strange incidents are sure to make you shake your head in disbelief. Here are some of the most outrageous football injuries ever recorded.
Son Heung-min, the Tottenham captain, returned from the Asian Cup with strapping on his fingers after a ping pong altercation on international duty. The South Korean forward ended up with a dislocated finger after a row broke out over dinner when some of the younger squad members finished early to play table tennis. To add insult to injury, South Korea was then dumped out of the tournament by Jordan in a shock semi-final exit.
Carlos Tevez, known for his controversial actions throughout his career, managed to injure himself during a prison visit to see his half-brother who was serving time for armed robbery. Tevez ended up playing football with inmates and pulled a muscle in his calf. The visit was wild even by Tevez’s standards.
Svein Grondalen, a former Norway defender, had a run-in with a moose while running in the woods. Allegedly, he tripped over a sleeping moose, which then charged at him. Grondalen took cover over a steep hill but ended up rolling down and cutting his leg in the process.
Raphinha, a Brazilian forward, let out his frustration after being substituted in a Europa League game against Barcelona. He punched a seat on the bench and then kicked a fridge, causing knee damage that sidelined him for Barca’s next match. His anger got the best of him.
Frank Lampard, the ex-Everton boss, suffered an injury after celebrating Alex Iwobi’s late goal to secure a vital victory against Newcastle in 2022. In the chaos of the celebration, Lampard took a whack to his left hand, resulting in a nasty bruise and lump. He revealed during a TV interview that he had broken his hand during the celebrations.
Rami Kaib, a Swedish footballer, broke his jaw after eating a raw carrot. Kaib had already taken a knock during a league match but sustained an unexpected blow when biting into a hard carrot. It just goes to show that even the most innocent activities can lead to injury.
Frenkie De Jong, a Barcelona midfielder, suffered a swollen hand in a Champions League match against Napoli. The cause of the swelling was a nasty bee sting that resulted in a severe reaction. It was an unexpected injury that threatened to keep him sidelined.
Marco Asensio, a Real Madrid player, missed a Champions League match in 2017 after shaving his legs and developing an infected pimple. It just goes to show that even the simplest grooming routines can have unexpected consequences.
Alan Wright, a former Aston Villa left-back, struggled to reach the pedals of his Ferrari due to his height, resulting in a knee injury. It’s not every day that a footballer injures themselves trying to drive their luxury car.
Ever Banega, another player with a car-related injury, forgot to put the handbrake on while filling up with petrol. His car rolled back and trapped his leg against the curb, resulting in a fractured tibia and fibula. It was a serious injury that required ankle surgery.
Chris Smalling, the ex-Manchester United defender, fainted in the hot Bali heat while on holiday and banged his head. The bandages he wore were not the result of a jellyfish sting, as initially reported. Smalling learned the hard way to take care in extreme temperatures.
Dave Beasant, the former Wimbledon FA Cup hero, managed to injure himself in the most comical way possible. He dropped a bottle of salad cream in his kitchen and tried to control it with his foot, resulting in a torn tendon in his big toe. It just goes to show that sometimes it’s better to use your hands.
Sam Henderson, the Queen of the South goalkeeper, got ruled out of action after being hit by a runaway cow. It was a bizarre incident that left him nursing injuries and probably questioning his career choice.
Richard Wright, a former Ipswich stopper, managed to injure himself while putting suitcases away in the attic. He also ignored a “Keep out of the goalmouth” sign during a warm-up and fell on it, damaging his ankle. It’s safe to say that Wright didn’t have the best luck when it came to avoiding injuries.
Rio Ferdinand, the former Manchester United and England captain, strained his knee playing Pro Evolution Soccer on his PlayStation. It just goes to show that even virtual football can lead to real-life injuries.
Bryan Robson, known as Captain Dynamo, suffered a broken toe after trying to wake Paul Gascoigne from his slumber by tipping the bed. Robson dropped the bed onto his toe, causing the injury. It was an unfortunate accident that left him nursing a broken toe.
Kevin Kyle, a former Scotland international, was left walking like John Wayne after his eight-month-old son accidentally spilled boiling water on his crotch. It was a painful mishap that resulted in some awkward walking for Kyle.
Leroy Lita, a striker for Reading, managed to hurt his back while stretching in bed. Steve Coppell, the Reading manager at the time, emphasized that it was not an injury to be ridiculed or made light of. Sometimes even the simplest movements can lead to unexpected injuries.
Darius Vassell, an ex-Aston Villa and England striker, tried to fix a blood blister on his toe by using an electric drill. Needless to say, it didn’t end well. It’s safe to say that using power tools for medical purposes is not recommended.
Adam Chapman, a former Oxford midfielder, burnt his chest and nipple while warming milk for his baby. When he went to shake the bottle, the lid flew off, causing the hot milk to spill on him. Chapman had to go to the hospital but was somehow passed fit to play the next day.
David James, the former England goalkeeper, has two entries on this list. He once pulled a muscle in his back while reaching for a remote control and hurt his shoulder while fishing for carp. James seems to have a knack for injuring himself in unusual ways.
Charlie George, an Arsenal legend, managed to cut off a finger with his lawnmower. It was a freak accident that could have been much worse. Thankfully, George only lost a finger and not a leg.
Kieron Dyer, the former Newcastle star, damaged his left eye by running into a stationary training pole. It was a painful accident that left him with a nasty black eye.
Santiago Canizares, the former Valencia goalkeeper, missed the 2002 World Cup after dropping a bottle of aftershave on his foot. Like Dave Beasant, he severed a tendon and was unable to participate in the tournament.
Enner Valencia, a former West Ham forward, managed to badly cut his toe after stepping on a broken cup. This incident left Sam Allardyce without a striker for the next match.
David Batty, an ex-Leeds United player, suffered an ankle injury when his two-year-old daughter ran over him on her tricycle. It was an unexpected setback caused by an innocent child’s playtime.
Darren Barnard, a former Stoke winger, slipped on his dog’s urine in the kitchen while house-training his puppy. The incident led to a five-month spell on the sidelines. It just goes to show that accidents can happen anywhere.
These strange football injuries serve as a reminder that anything can happen on and off the pitch. From dislocated fingers to broken jaws, footballers have experienced a wide range of bizarre injuries that defy explanation. While some incidents may be comical, others can be more serious and even career-threatening. The world of football is full of surprises, and these injuries are a testament to that fact. So, the next time you watch a match, remember that footballers are not immune to strange and unexpected mishaps.