2024-10-30 22:30:00
After more than 60 years, a Spaniard wins the Ballon d’Or again. But the happiness is overshadowed because Hernández is not active due to a torn cruciate ligament.
Last update: October 30, 2024
Rodrigo Hernández Cascantes, 28, is the new holder of the Ballon d’Or. An award that becomes significant for Spain, but also for football in general, given that a defensive midfielder hadn’t won it since 2006.
The player’s results were evident in the 2023-2024 seasons. With Manchester City he won the Premier League, Super Cup and Club World Cup. With the national team, however, he won the European Championships. And it was in this last championship that his relevance was already visible, having been named the best of the tournament.
Even so, not everything is a celebration for Rodri. Just over a month ago it was confirmed that he had a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. The injury occurred during the match against Arsenal on 22 September 2024.
He will be out for eight or nine months.
Pep Guardiola, Manchester City manager
How is Rodri Hernández’s injury?
Rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament is an injury common in the knees of elite athletes. This is a problem that occurs frequently among footballers, basketball players, tennis players and skiers.
The anterior cruciate ligament is a soft structure on the inside of the knee that connects the femur to the tibia. It gives us stability in walking, but above all Check that the bones in the area do not rotate too much or move too much when we change direction.
Precisely, it is common to get injured when the foot remains fixed on the ground and the body rotates, excessively stretching the ligament. Even when there are direct blows to the joint.
Almost immediately, after the break, there is intense pain. Then other symptoms appear, such as the following:
- Feeling that the knee is “loose” or that it moves too much and does not provide stability.
- Swelling and inflammation, with rapid accumulation of fluids.
- Clicking while walking, like a creaking sound.
Why did you need surgery?
The decision to operate on Rodri Hernández was made after several days of consultations and diagnoses. Five days passed between the match against Arsenal and the surgery, because it was not an easy decision and all the complementary studies had to be evaluated.
Finally, On 27 September 2024, in Madrid, the player underwent surgery to repair the torn ligament and, additionally, correct a defect in the meniscus that had been associated with the injury. The doctor responsible for the operation was Manuel Leyes, a renowned Spanish specialist who also operated on, for example, Thibaut Courtois.
Not all anterior cruciate ligament injuries require surgery.. When there is no complete rupture, treatment can be approached with rest and physical therapy.
However, according to official statements, Rodri suffered a complete breakdown. That is to say, his anterior cruciate ligament separated into two parts and, along with this, damaged part of the meniscus of the same knee.
For this reason, surgery was chosen to reconstruct the ligament. The player’s age and elite activity were determining factors in choosing this approach and attempting to bring him back to the field in the near future.
What will your recovery be like?
The Spanish midfielder even received the well-deserved Golden Ball on crutches. It was an attention-getting image, but it was something logical and expected in the context of his rehabilitation process.
After the operation, it is estimated that the return to specific sports training will take approximately three months. However, the time required to return to previous levels of play and demand may exceed eight or nine months. Rodri, in short He won’t wear a Manchester City shirt until mid-2025.
The first 15 days after surgery were certainly restful. Patients must wear an immobilizer to keep the knee in the correct position and prevent it from moving.
After a month, which would be where Rodri is, there are two fundamental tasks for rehabilitation:
- Progressive strengthening exercisesfocusing on the muscles that support the knee.
- Gait re-education with the help of crutches, so that the body weight is not excessively loaded on the operated knee.
As the process progresses, the intensity and variety of exercises will increase. For the European winter, the player can start with soccer-specific moves. If all goes well, from February or March the possibility will open for him to train with the ball.
Can Rodri return to playing at the highest level after the injury?
An anterior cruciate ligament rupture is the injury most feared by footballers. It is known to cause prolonged illness and there is also the possibility of incomplete recovery.
Additionally, injured people run the risk of suffering a relapse or re-injury, either to the same knee or the opposite knee. The statistics indicate this between 2 and 3 out of 10 experience a new breakup. Nor are the loss of muscle strength, the decrease in cardiovascular capacity and the fear of reintegration minor.
And, beyond the effects on the sporting career, it must be considered that these problems favor, in the long term, the appearance of others. Cruciate ligament injuries are associated with an increased risk of developing osteoarthritis.
What awaits Rodri in the future?
The Spanish operation was a success. It is expected that he will remain away from the playing fields for the entire 2024-2025 season. and focus on rehabilitation.
His contract with Manchester City runs until 2027. So, if the recovery goes well, perhaps he could be part of the team for the Nations League Final Four and the Club World Cup.
For Guardiola it is an important loss. Rodri was one of the undisputed starters and now he will have to forcefully replace him. For now, all that remains is to wait until the injury requires it and trust that the midfielder is accompanied by the best medical team.
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Ew/articulos.cgi?pid=152748&aid=8561557″ style=”color:#d4649a;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-color:#d4649a” class=”sc-41d1e5f0-0 ceUrKM”>up to 30% of players do not return to their pre-injury performance levels.
Despite these risks, many athletes successfully return to their sport after an ACL injury, especially with advancements in medical procedures and rehabilitation techniques. Rodri’s age, talent, and commitment to rehabilitation play crucial roles in his potential return. With the right care and rehabilitation, he has a chance to regain his form.
Ultimately, while the journey to full recovery is both physically and mentally challenging, optimism remains for Rodri to return to the pitch stronger and capable of once again impacting matches for Manchester City and the national team.