One of Real Madrid's most expensive signings in the most recent transfer window has revealed how an early injury nearly ruined his career and forced him to learn to walk again.
Ferland Mendy joined Los Blancos from Olympique Lyon for a reported fee of €53 million (R859 million) at the beginning of the season, but things could have been very different for the France international defender.
The 24-year-old recently revealed how a hip injury during his youth nearly put an end to his career as a footballer before it had even begun.
"Being told at that age that football is over for you and you won't play anymore, I thought that I would never fulfil my dream.
"I spent two months in the hospital with both legs in plaster and that's when I understood that I had to learn to walk again.
"I started and I was like four or five months in rehab.
"I learned to walk a month later, although I forced myself too much, because it kept hurting for a year or two."
Mendy, who was named in the Ligue 1 Team of the Season in both the 2017/18 and 2018/19 campaigns, has made six appearances across all competitions for Real so far this season.
