The 13 Greatest Comebacks From Injury in Football History

From career-threatening knee injuries to shattered legs, these returns rewrote stories that looked finished. Which comeback stands tallest?

1

Ronaldo Nazario

Twice ruptured his knee, then returned to win the 2002 World Cup and its Golden Boot.

1000pts

2

Luke Shaw

Came back from a double leg fracture in 2015 to score in a European Championship final.

692pts

3

Radamel Falcao

Fought back from a torn ACL to keep scoring across Europe's leagues.

609pts

4

Santi Cazorla

An ankle infection nearly cost him his foot, yet he returned to elite football and a Spain recall.

473pts

5

Roberto Baggio

Overcame repeated serious knee injuries to stay one of football's most beloved playmakers.

473pts

6

Djibril Cisse

Twice broke his leg badly and returned each time to score at the highest level.

473pts

7

Rodri

Tore his ACL in 2024, then returned to captain Spain to the 2026 World Cup and take the Golden Ball.

387pts

8

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Ruptured knee ligaments at 36 and returned to keep scoring at the top level for years.

387pts

9

Alan Smith

Returned from a gruesome broken leg and dislocated ankle to extend his career.

284pts

10

Virgil van Dijk

Recovered from a 2020 ACL injury to reclaim his place among the world's best defenders.

284pts

11

Alessandro Del Piero

Ruptured his ACL as a young star in 1998 and fought back to a Juventus legend's career.

158pts

12

Eduardo da Silva

Suffered a horrific 2008 leg break and battled back to international football.

158pts

13

Ruud van Nistelrooy

Recovered from a knee injury that cancelled a transfer to become a prolific goalscorer.

158pts