Axel Tuanzebe, who now plays for Ipswich Town, is set for “weeks” on the sidelines after injuring his thumb while washing up – and he follows in a long line of stars who have had unfortunate – and mostly self-inflicted – injury issues
Injuries in football are part and parcel of the game and can be unavoidable – but some stars have only had themselves to blame after picking up fitness problems in the most bizarre circumstances.
This week former Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe found himself in the headlines after it emerged he nearly lost his thumb while washing the dishes – having smashed a glass and been cut by the shards.
Tuanzebe, who now plays for Ipswich Town, is set for “weeks” on the sidelines, according to his manager Kieran McKenna, and he follows in a long line of stars who have had unfortunate – and mostly self-inflicted – injury issues.
We have taken a look as some of the most strange and bizarre injuries suffered by players in the Premier League.
Marco Asensio’s shaving mishap
Real Madrid star Asensio was ruled out of the club’s Champions League clash against Apoel Nicosia – after attempting to shave his legs.
The Spaniard suffered an infected pimple after using a razor, with then-manager Zinedine Zidane seeing the funny side, laughing as he informed the media that Asensio was “unable to lift his sock”.
Kirk Broadfoot poaching an egg
Poaching an egg is a task most of us have struggled with at some point in our lives – though few have managed to injure themselves doing it.
Former Rangers star Kirk Broadfoot is in the minority, then, after being left with egg on his face – though not literally. Having attempted to poach the egg in the microwave, the glass bowl of hot water exploded, leaving him with burns on his face.
He was sent to hospital for treatment at the time, when he was already recovering from an unrelated injury. Eggstraordinary tale.
Rio Ferdinand gaming for too long
Who’d have thought a footballer could get injured while simulating a virtual game of football?
Many players are known to pick up a controller every now and then between matches and Rio Ferdinand was said to be a big fan of the Pro Evolution Soccer series while playing for Leeds United.
However, on one occasion he is said to have suffered a knee strain after putting his knee up on a table for too long during his gaming session.
Victor Adeboyejo’s “powerful sneeze”
We all know someone who has a very loud sneeze – though you’d imagine no one’s sneeze is big enough to cause an injury.
Enter Bolton striker Adeboyejo, who was already suffering a rib injury and made it worse following a “pretty hefty sneeze” last month, according to his manager Ian Evatt.
“He was okay at the time, but then he had a pretty hefty sneeze,” he said. “Victor is a powerful boy, and even his sneezes are powerful. I’ll have to start having a long look at myself when players start getting injured sneezing.”
De Jong’s injury that stung
Frenkie de Jong had just joined Barcelona in 2020 when he showed off a swollen hand he suffered after being stung by a bee.
The Dutchman was still able to play in Barca’s win over Napoli and put in a good performance as he played while wearing a bandage.
Ever Banega runs himself over
Former Argentina star Banega was harmlessly filling up his car at the petrol station in 2012 when he forgot to put the handbrake on – with his vehicle rolling back and trapping his left leg underneath it.
Then at Valencia, Banega was ruled out for six months after the incident, which required surgery after he fractured his tibia and fibula.
Dave Beasant’s salad cream woe
How many times have you attempted to do keepy-uppies with an inanimate object? Chewing gum? A rolled up piece of paper?
There’s no harm in it but perhaps former Chelsea keeper Dave Beasant went a bit too far when he attempted to juggle a bottle of salad cream with his foot after dropping it in his kitchen.
He ended up missing two months of action after the baffling incident, tearing a tendon in his big toe.
