Infection turned a routine ACL repair into a career-threatening nightmare for Gerard Deulofeu. Three years since his last professional appearance, the former Barcelona winger is still battling to return from a devastating knee injury sustained in November 2022. The initial ACL tear during a brief comeback against Sampdoria was bad enough, but a subsequent infection ravaged the cartilage, leaving him with bone-on-bone pain and forcing him to quit his Udinese contract.

Now, six months of intensive gym work at Stadio Friuli aims to rebuild his leg strength. Deulofeu admits times were tough, even contemplating quitting, but his love for the game, family, and a desire to finish his career on his terms keeps him pushing. He's grateful for the time with his family but yearns to share the pitch with his children.

While he feels his leg is "strong" and muscle levels are back, the lack of cartilage remains a major hurdle. His journey underscores the brutal reality of long-term recovery in elite sport.