I agree, this was a great, immersive article. I have also had several knee operations and, unfortunately, a ACL/meniscus injury did end my competitive career (it was at uni level, never likely to go beyond semi-professional even without the injury, mind) so I can relate on some level to his experience. Still, I was lucky enough to have to devoted quite a lot to my studies (partly because I knew I was never going to be a good enough footballer to really make a decent living from it) so was able to go on another path.Wow, what a brilliant and emotive piece that was. Trying to put myself in his position, & having had 7 knee operations myself, I truly felt for him. The difference was is my career didn't depend on the success of the ops like his did.
Great to have him back, & what his consultant told him about Xavi must have been a great comfort & given him strength.
But the New York Times has published it first. I wonder if they commissioned it or he proposed the idea. Either way it's excellent and a cut above the dross we mostly see in the UK media.
I feel your pain mate. My first knee injury was during pre-season 1988 & the only option available was the NHS. My left knee had whatever tendon that goes across it ruptured, & I was told by MRI that they'd 'guarantee' my operation within 4 YEARS as part of the NHS Patient Charter! That was the end of me as a burgeoning semi-pro. I ended up having 4 operations on my left knee over the years and a further 3 after badly damaging my right knee after a brief return to playing in August 2001.I agree, this was a great, immersive article. I have also had several knee operations and, unfortunately, a ACL/meniscus injury did end my competitive career (it was at uni level, never likely to go beyond semi-professional even without the injury, mind) so I can relate on some level to his experience. Still, I was lucky enough to have to devoted quite a lot to my studies (partly because I knew I was never going to be a good enough footballer to really make a decent living from it) so was able to go on another path.
What is often ignored is that there are swathes of young lads (and, increasingly, young girls) in nearly every country on earth who devote the formative years of their lives almost entirely to football and then, due to the lacklustre academics of the programs or academies they were in, are unable to find a good career later when their glorious footballing dreams end, either due to severe injury or lack of the required level of talent/ability. It is a sad and more common outcome than those of Gundogan, Stones, Kompany, and Jesus (his country being an especially prime example of it).
I count myself lucky to have had the path and support I did. I have mates that were not so fortunate. It has driven me to volunteer with Football Youth Mentorship programs to help mitigate those outcomes whenever possible. It is important that footballers know there are other avenues to success and fulfilment.
All of that said, it is great to have Ilkay back and to have such a level-headed, mature influence on the team. Our younger players would do well to adopt his drive and grit.
If it makes anything better, I had very good, private doctors in England (though, had a very similar experience to yours, oddly enough), Spain, and the US (we flew to see a specialist as my knee did not heal correctly after the initial injury), with many, many MRIs, assessments, and physio/rehab stints...I feel your pain mate. My first knee injury was during pre-season 1988 & the only option available was the NHS. My left knee had whatever tendon that goes across it ruptured, & I was told by MRI that they'd 'guarantee' my operation within 4 YEARS as part of the NHS Patient Charter! That was the end of me as a burgeoning semi-pro. I ended up having 4 operations on my left knee over the years and a further 3 after badly damaging my right knee after a brief return to playing in August 2001.
Like you I was never going to 'make it' in the game, but I loved playing it at whatever level & I had it cruelly ripped away from me. Like yourself, I know others who suffered similar fates with knee participation ending injuries & it's hard to take at any level. Thankfully today's professionals have the very best expertise & care that money can buy.
I remember going private in 1993 in a bid to resolve my knee problem as I was walking with a limp & my knee kept collapsing after the first 2 ops. When I arrived at BUPA, my heart sank when it turned out my Consultant was the very same Dr Hirst I was under at the MRI! Here's me thinking I was going to see some hotshot Doctor & it was the same butcher I'd been under for 5 years!! Lol
He was as surprised to see me as I was him, and I was even more dismayed to find out the only difference between the NHS & going private was the length of time it took to be seen and operated on. Essentially by going private, you jumped the queue. He tried to compensate my disappointment by telling me he'd operated on several ManUre players, with the difference being I presume he fixed them, because he certainly didn't fix me!
Hopefully Gundogan's problems are behind him now and he'll quickly get back to, & surpass his previous level. If his 'consultant can sprinkle of bit of Xavi magic on him too, that would be a great bonus! :-)