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Real Madrid Star Opens Up On Career-Threatening Injury

Real Madrid Star Opens Up On Career-Threatening Injury

Karim Benzema & Ferland Mendy

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.

Brilliant Khuzwayo – retired in 2019 due a recurri
Brilliant Khuzwayo – retired in 2019 due a recurring ankle injury
Wiseman Meyiwa  – retired in 2019 after suffering
Wiseman Meyiwa – retired in 2019 after suffering major injuries in a car accident
Ryan Mason – retired in 2018 due to a head injury
Ryan Mason – retired in 2018 due to a head injury
Ronaldo Nazario – retired in 2011 due to hypothyro
Ronaldo Nazario – retired in 2011 due to hypothyroidism
Marco van Basten – retired in 1995 due to injury s
Marco van Basten – retired in 1995 due to injury struggles
Jimmy Jambo – retired in 2014 due to injury strugg
Jimmy Jambo – retired in 2014 due to injury struggles
Fabrice Muamba – retired in 2012 due to a heart co
Fabrice Muamba – retired in 2012 due to a heart condition
Owen Hargreaves – retired in 2012 to due to injury
Owen Hargreaves – retired in 2012 to due to injury struggles
Emmanuel Petit – retired in 2003 due to injury str
Emmanuel Petit – retired in 2003 due to injury struggles
Jamie Redknapp – retired in 2005 due to injury str
Jamie Redknapp – retired in 2005 due to injury struggles
Ruben de la Red – retired in 2008 due to a heart c
Ruben de la Red – retired in 2008 due to a heart condition
Ledley King – retired in 2012 due chronic knee inj
Ledley King – retired in 2012 due chronic knee injuries
Michael Johnson – retired in 2013 due to mental he
Michael Johnson – retired in 2013 due to mental health issues
Just Fontaine – retired in 1962 due to recurring i
Just Fontaine – retired in 1962 due to recurring injuries after a leg break

"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.

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