Ex English Premier League striker Demba Ba suffered a potentially career-threatening broken leg while playing for Shangai Shenhua in the Chinese Super League.
The incident happened during a derby game between Shanghai Shenhua and Shanghai SIPG when the Shenhua striker Demba Ba was tackled from behind by opposition captain Sun Xiang while going for a ball. Born and brought up in France, the 31-year-old Senegal forward's injury was termed as “potentially career ending” by Shenhua coach Gregorio Manzano.
Also read: Demba Ba wakes up from horrific injury in hospital and asks if his team had won
Right after the injury Ba was rushed to a nearby hospital where the doctors did an X-rays scan on his leg. The pictures of the X-ray report has been revealed and it shows the extent of his injury which is not a pleasant sight. The broken leg has definitely ended Ba's season and puts him out of action for at least eight months.
Ba gained consciousness four hours after receiving general anaesthesia in the hospital. Visibly still in pain, the ex-Chelsea man’s first question to the medical stuff after waking up was: "Did we win the game?” Incidentally, the did win the derby 2-1.
The opposition captain Sun Xiang with whom Ba collided visited him in the hospital. The Shenhua club president Wu Xiaohui broke down in tears while talking to the media about Ba's injury. The Senegalese man's former club, Chelsea, tweeted "All at Chelsea FC send our best wishes to former striker @dembabafoot. Get well soon Demba.'' Ba received support from all over the football fraternity.
Ex-teammate Eden Hazard who earlier called Ba his best friend at Chelsea tweeted wishing Ba a speedy recovery and so did former Everton player Tim Cahill. The horrific injury ends what was turning out to be a great season for the former West Ham man as he is currently the top scorer of the league with 14 goals from 18 games.
Also read: Demba Ba receives apology for horrible accident
Career threatening injuries aren't new to football. Former Manchester United striker Alan Smith suffered a dislocated ankle during an FA Cup tie against Liverpool. Sir Alex Ferguson, the then United manager termed the injury as "one of the worst" he has ever seen. Though, to everyone's relief Alan made a great comeback to football just seven months after the injury.
There are examples of players whose careers have been ended by these injuries. David Busst, the former Coventry City defender is one such footballer, whose career ended at Old Trafford by an injury. To make a comeback to football, Ba's inspiration right now will be the likes of Alan Smith.
All of the football fraternity wishes Demba Ba a speedy recovery and a return to the sport.
