The year 2023 had everything from Manchester City’s maiden UEFA Champions League triumph to Lionel Messi’s eighth Ballon d’Or. However, as the year went by, the soccer world saw a series of injuries to key players worldwide.
One can’t blame the fitness levels of the players for these injuries. The soccer calendar throughout the year had been so hectic, that the players couldn’t sustain their fitness. From domestic league to domestic cups, to intercontinental competitions and International matches. The schedule has been very demanding for the players.
The list of such players is long if we talk about those who missed most of 2023 following the crucial injuries. The guy who will be worth mentioning will be Brazilian icon Neymar Jr. Neymar suffered a horrific injury as he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) back in October during a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay.
Here is just a glimpse of what players go through when they pick up ACL injury
This is Neymar
pic.twitter.com/zAdOVvbFqe— HENO🇨🇦 🇬🇧 🇳🇬 (@1Innocentboi) December 21, 2023
Such is the consequence of the injury, that he is going to miss the entirety of the Copa America next year as he is expected to return in August 2024. The Brazilian winger who recently made a million-dollar move to Al-Hilal, recently posted a video of himself screaming in agony during an intense rehab session.
However, Neymar hasn’t been the only guy who was sidelined during the year. Here are the top 5 injuries of 2023.
Pedri
The Barcelona wonderkid, Pedro Gonzalez Lopez also known as Pedri is widely considered as one of the greatest young talents in world soccer. Known for his exceptional vision and ball control, he has been one of the pillars in the midfield for Xavi and his men. As a mainstay for both Barcelona and the Spanish National team, his injury back in August has complicated a few things for his side at the start of the season.
❗Pedri’s injury numbers are very worrying. @relevo pic.twitter.com/WzRJBlHJWe
— Managing Barça (@ManagingBarca) December 21, 2023
It was said that Pedri was overused and incurred a right thigh injury during training on August 24. After this injury, he was off the squad for almost three months. After recovering from the injury, Barcelona reined in its enthusiasm and gave him a 45-day recovery period to enable complete recuperation. During this period, Barcelona saw Pedri miss important encounters like the El Clasico and group-stage matches in the Champions League.
His absence was such that Barcelona lost the El Classico and kept lagging behind their arch-rivals Real Madrid for the league title. However, the Blaugrans still somehow managed to get past the group stages of the UEFA Champions League. Pedri returned following his injury on November 12. He helped Barca defeat Real Sociedad by two goals to one.
Casemiro
The year hasn’t been easy for the Manchester United midfielder. Constant injuries have seen him getting sidelined for almost most of the games for the Red Devils. His absence was felt at the heart of Manchester United’s midfield as they had to feature their academy graduate, Kobbie Mainoo in the midfield.
The 31-year-old midfielder was in good form until he picked an unfortunate injury during a World Cup qualifying match against Venezuela. Although he was given the green signal to play the next game against Uruguay, he got injured yet again in that encounter back on October 19. The five-time Champions League winner has been sidelined since then.
🚨🔴 Man United midfielder Casemiro has now started training on the pitch as he steps up his recovery from injury.
He’s getting closer, important news for Erik ten Hag. pic.twitter.com/B3ZJ8aAR37
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 10, 2023
The Brazilian midfielder last featured during a Carabao Cup game against Newcastle United and has missed 11 games since then for the English side. However, he is expected to return back in action in the middle of January 2024 as confirmed by Manchester United manager, Erik ten Hag.
Frenkie De Jong
Another Barcelona midfielder who has spent his time off the field is the Dutch midfielder, Frenkie De Jong. A proper ball carrier in soccer terms, the 26-year-old has been one of the most impactful players for Xavi’s side over the last couple of seasons.
Xavi praised him as one of the top midfielders, but his time at Barcelona has been marred by injuries, and unfortunately, the player experienced a similar tale of misfortune once again this year.
During a match against Celta Vigo on September 25, in 36 minutes, Jong was subbed off with an ankle injury. The Dutch midfielder made a return to the first team after a two-month absence on November 25 against Rayo Vallecano.
Aaron Wan Bissaka
The significant absentees in the Manchester United camp this year have been a real headache for the manager Erik ten Hag. The Red Devils saw almost all the first-choice defenders getting sidelined one by one this season.
One of them is the right-back Aaron Wan Bissaka. After having a terrific last season for the English side, Wan Bissaka has missed quite a few games this season due to his injury.
With his unique ability to mix defending and attacking, helping the team counterattack on opponents’ vulnerable defenses, his playing time this year was cut short by a hamstring injury in September as he was claimed sick and came on for five minutes in the encounter against Brighton which led to his injury.
The 26-year-old made his return against Fulham on November 4 where he played the entire 90 minutes to help his team win the encounter by 1 goal to nil. However, he hasn’t been able to fix his place in the starting XI since then having lost his place to the Portuguese international Diogo Dalot.
Thiago Alcantara
What could have been a deadly midfield trio for Liverpool featuring Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, and Thiago Alcantara, however, the latter has missed the majority of the season so far. The Spaniard has no one to blame but his injury.
It takes us back to last season In April 2023, when the midfielder suffered a hip injury that needed surgery. Thiago is yet to feature for the Reds this season. However, the former Bayern Munich player is a long way back from his return to the first-team action as of now.
Klopp on Thiago’s injury:
“Nothing changed. He needs time. We see him everyday. Still a fantastic guy.” pic.twitter.com/uc7xJJmHzS
— Watch LFC (@Watch_LFC) December 1, 2023
In addition to having an outstanding career at his previous clubs, Barcelona and Bayern Munich, Thiago also helped Liverpool win two domestic titles.
His absence from the team has been highly acknowledged by Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp as he has hinted at his return after the new year.