Injuries

Should Soccer Players Wear Shin Guards?

Soccer players, for whatever reason, generally do not like wearing shin guards. It's weird. Many players go for the smallest possible shin guards in order to maximize unprotected shin surface area. Maybe it's like a weird masculine thing. I don't know.

What I do know is shin guards exist to protect one's shins from harm, and not wearing them is a fool's errand. Getting kicked in the shin hurts more than getting kicked in many other body parts, and soccer provides ample oportunity for getting kicked in the shins. You should wear shin guards so your shins don't get hurt.

12 Star Footballers Who’ve Suffered The Dreaded World Cup Injury Curse

This past week, supporters of both England and Iceland were left to fear for their World Cup futures after injuries to one-man strike force Harry Kane and talismanic playmaker Gylfi Sigurdsson, respectively. 

Kane will return in four weeks while Sigurdsson will be out for six to eight, meaning they should both be available in Russia, but it just goes to show how terrifying these last two months of the club season are in a World Cup year.  

Unless You’re Brian McBride’s Child, You Should Not Be Heading The Ball

If you want to turn your child into the next Brian “McHead” McBride, at what age should you start sand wedging some crosses at their malleable dome piece? Well, in America, we have rules for this sort of thing.

Back in 2015, the U.S. Soccer Federation announced that children 10 years or under should abstain from heading the ball. Additionally, players from the ages of 11 to 13 were now limited to practicing the skill in training with headers still outlawed in games.

This Goal In Russia Proves That Nice Guys Finish Last

You are supposed to kick the ball out of bounds when an opponent gets legitimately hurt during a soccer match so the medical staff can tend to the injured person. You are not supposed to take the ball from the injured person and try to score a goal. That is considered bad sportsmanship.

And yet, that's what Arsenal Tula did in extra time against Terek Grozny in the Russian Premier League. The did not do good sportsmanship. They did bad sportsmanship. They also won the game, because there are no truly black and white decisions in this crazy mixed-up universe of ours.

Former USMNT Striker Charlie Davies Announces His Retirement At The Age of 31

Former USMNT striker Charlie Davies has called time on a once hugely promising career that was devastated by a serious car accident in 2009 and a subsequent 2016 cancer diagnosis. Davies' 10-year career included stints in Sweden, France, Denmark and with D.C. United, New England and Philadelphia in MLS, as well as 17 appearances and four goals with the USMNT between 2007 and 2009.

Are We Convinced Neymar Is Really Hurt?

Neymar is hurt. It’s awful; the world’s most exciting player could miss a month or two with an ankle sprain and fractured foot. But we’ve got a Neymar injury update for you: We don’t think he’s actually all that injured. 

Lazio Defender Patric Has A Skull Made Of Iron

Even though Lazio obliterated Steaua Bucharest on Thursday on their way to the Europa League round of 16, no person in his or her right mind would contend that Lazio defender Patric had a good time.

Patric, a product of La Masia in his first season with Lazio, is probably wishing he was back in Spain. If he can even remember being back in Spain.

Neymar Reportedly Sidelined For Real Madrid Return Leg With Ankle Sprain

In the 77th minute of PSG’s routine 3-0 victory over Marseille Sunday night, a seemingly innocuous moment led to Neymar remaining on the ground while play continued around him. 10 seconds later, with Neymar still writhing in agony and in clear discomfort, PSG played the ball out so their Brazilian star could receive treatment. 

Neymar was then stretchered off the field while crying inconsolably. For many, the world’s most expensive player had clearly just suffered a serious injury (perhaps a broken ankle), calling into question his participation at the World Cup.

Nine Months After His Devastating ACL Injury, Marco Reus Returns With A World-Class Strike

Last October, Borussia Dortmund and German international Marco Reus delivered a heartbreaking statement when speaking with GQ, saying that he “would give all (his) money away” to be free of injuries and return to fitness after his latest setback, a devastating ruptured cruciate ligament in the 2017 DFB-Pokal Final. 

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