'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The nature of football is volatile, and players have to be careful about their health and fitness in order to extend their careers.
Despite such wariness, unfortunate events take place on a football field. Football at the highest level requires good conditioning of both body and mind, and sometimes the body is unable to take the strain of an intense, physical sport.
Several wonderful players have had to retire due to serious injuries. Football is filled with such individuals, whose careers were tragically cut short and their talents were left unfulfilled due to various fitness issues.
We look at 5 footballers whose careers ended prematurely due to serious injuries.
#5 Luc Nilis
A prolific but underrated footballer, Luc Nilis played alongside players like Ruud van Nistelrooy and Ronaldo Nazario. He was highly rated by his colleagues.
The Belgium international is well-renowned for his days with Anderlecht and PSV Eindhoven. With both clubs, he scored in excess of 100 goals, and at PSV Eindhoven he formed a deadly attacking partnership with van Nistelrooy and won two league titles.
Nilis joined Aston Villa in 2000 and scored on his league debut. However, the striker suffered a serious shin injury during a game against Ipswich Town and there were fears of amputation. Fortunately, that was not the case, although Nilis' playing career ended after the injury. He is currently a striking coach at PSV Eindhoven.
Also Read: Euro 2020: 5 players who could impress in unfamiliar positions
#4 Pierluigi Casiraghi
A versatile forward, Pierluigi Casiraghi was a selfless attacker who made his name as a hard-working and intelligent player.
Casiraghi spent most of his playing career with Juventus and Lazio. The Italy international won the Coppa Italia once with both sides, and while he was not a consistent goalscorer, he was valued because of his work off the ball.
The forward joined Chelsea in 1998, thus leaving Italy for the first time. That very year, Casiraghi suffered a cruciate ligament injury during a game against West Ham United, and underwent multiple operations. However, he was unable to make a comeback and his contract with Chelsea was terminated in 2000.
#3 Jim Beglin
A highly-rated left-back, Jim Beglin began his career with Shamrock Rovers in 1980, and moved to Liverpool in 1983.
At Liverpool, Beglin was a regular at left-back, and won the Football League First Division and the FA Cup with the club. The Republic of Ireland international suffered a horrible leg injury in a game against Everton in the League Cup in 1987, followed by a serious knee injury that effectively ended his Liverpool career.
Beglin joined Leeds United in 1989, but was forced into retirement due to his injury issues. The former Blackburn Rovers man is now a reputed commentator whose media work is well-renowned.
#2 David Busst
David Busst started his career with Moor Green before joining Coventry City in 1992.
He made 50 appearances in the league. Busst suffered one of the worst injuries in the history of the Premier League when he collided with Manchester United players Denis Irwin and Brian McClair, resulting in compound fractures on his right leg.
The gravity of his injury was such that there was talk about amputation. Busst retired from playing in 1996, after enduring 22 operations. After his retirement, the Englishman spent some time with Coventry City's backroom staff.
#1 Alf-Inge Haaland
A versatile player capable of operating in defense and in midfield, Alf-Inge Haaland made appearances for clubs like Nottingham Forest, Leeds United and Manchester City during his career.
In 2001, Haaland's Manchester City were facing Manchester United. A violent tackle from Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane on Haaland's right knee did a lot of damage. The Norway international, who did not enjoy a good relationship with Keane even before the incident, was unable to recover from this tackle and eventually retired in 2003.
His son, Erling, is now regarded as one of the best young players in world football. He has been linked with both Manchester United and Manchester City, and Alf-Inge's opinion will surely play a crucial role in Erling's next destination.
Also Read: 5 Real Madrid legends who had untimely departures from the club
