10) Ouch, by Calvin Klein
In 2002, goalkeeper Santiago Canizares was first choice for Spain going into the World Cup. However, in a freak accident at the team hotel, he dropped a bottle of aftershave on the floor and a shard of glass severed a tendon in his foot. Canizares was replaced by a ‘safer pair of hands.’
9) Crying over spilled milk
Arguably the best Finnish player of all time, Jari Litmanen enjoyed a career spanning more than two decades. However, he also enjoyed some rather rotten luck when it came to injuries. England coach Roy Hodgson once described the forward as, “the most unlucky player ever.” Hodgson signed Litmanen for Fulham, but in a pre-season training session, a team-mate rifled the ball straight at Jari, rendering him unconscious. He never played for the club. Litmanen also opened a can of coke, only for the ring-pull to fly into his eye. Perhaps his best claim to hilarious-injury fame, is that he once tripped down the stairs whilst trying not to spill a glass of milk.
8) A jaw-dropping injury
We all know how angry goalkeepers can get. When that red-mist descends, it’s uncontrollable. Unfortunately for 70’s Manchester United goalkeeper Alex Stepney, his ire was so intense that he dislocated his jaw screaming at his hopeless defenders.
7) Window or eye-le seat?
Milan Rapaic is a former Croatian footballer winning almost 50 caps for his country. He is also famous for missing a number of games for his club Hajduk Split with an eye injury. While waiting for a flight he managed to scratch his cornea... by jabbing himself in the eye with his boarding pass.
6) Always read the label
Whilst taking a suppository prescribed to him by the club doctor, Brazilian forward Ramalho sidelined himself for 3 days with a stomach problem. He had swallowed the lot.
5) FORE!... no wait 5 teeth
We all know many footballers also enjoy a round of golf. That was certainly true of veteran USA goalkeeper Casey Keller. His clubs had become wedged (no pun intended) in his car boot. With a firm tug they soon came free, and smashed into his jaw dislodging a few of his front teeth. At least he still had the back-9.
4) Drill it home
Not content with life as a Premier League footballer, Darius Vassell attempted to branch out into the field of surgery. Upon discovering a blood blister beneath a toe-nail, the Villa front-man decided to drill through his toe to release the blood. The operation was a roaring success; ignoring the fact he forgot to sterilise the drill. Vassell was out for weeks with a blood infection.
3) Extreme Ironing
Goalkeeper Michael Stensgaard had recently signed for Liverpool in the 1990s when he suffered an unfortunate injury around the home. After completing his chores, Stensgaard seriously damaged his shoulder collapsing the ironing board.
In 2002, goalkeeper Santiago Canizares was first choice for Spain going into the World Cup. However, in a freak accident at the team hotel, he dropped a bottle of aftershave on the floor and a shard of glass severed a tendon in his foot. Canizares was replaced by a ‘safer pair of hands.’
9) Crying over spilled milk
Arguably the best Finnish player of all time, Jari Litmanen enjoyed a career spanning more than two decades. However, he also enjoyed some rather rotten luck when it came to injuries. England coach Roy Hodgson once described the forward as, “the most unlucky player ever.” Hodgson signed Litmanen for Fulham, but in a pre-season training session, a team-mate rifled the ball straight at Jari, rendering him unconscious. He never played for the club. Litmanen also opened a can of coke, only for the ring-pull to fly into his eye. Perhaps his best claim to hilarious-injury fame, is that he once tripped down the stairs whilst trying not to spill a glass of milk.
8) A jaw-dropping injury
We all know how angry goalkeepers can get. When that red-mist descends, it’s uncontrollable. Unfortunately for 70’s Manchester United goalkeeper Alex Stepney, his ire was so intense that he dislocated his jaw screaming at his hopeless defenders.
7) Window or eye-le seat?
Milan Rapaic is a former Croatian footballer winning almost 50 caps for his country. He is also famous for missing a number of games for his club Hajduk Split with an eye injury. While waiting for a flight he managed to scratch his cornea... by jabbing himself in the eye with his boarding pass.
6) Always read the label
Whilst taking a suppository prescribed to him by the club doctor, Brazilian forward Ramalho sidelined himself for 3 days with a stomach problem. He had swallowed the lot.
5) FORE!... no wait 5 teeth
We all know many footballers also enjoy a round of golf. That was certainly true of veteran USA goalkeeper Casey Keller. His clubs had become wedged (no pun intended) in his car boot. With a firm tug they soon came free, and smashed into his jaw dislodging a few of his front teeth. At least he still had the back-9.
4) Drill it home
Not content with life as a Premier League footballer, Darius Vassell attempted to branch out into the field of surgery. Upon discovering a blood blister beneath a toe-nail, the Villa front-man decided to drill through his toe to release the blood. The operation was a roaring success; ignoring the fact he forgot to sterilise the drill. Vassell was out for weeks with a blood infection.
3) Extreme Ironing
Goalkeeper Michael Stensgaard had recently signed for Liverpool in the 1990s when he suffered an unfortunate injury around the home. After completing his chores, Stensgaard seriously damaged his shoulder collapsing the ironing board.
2) Four better, or worse?
In a real instance of tragicomedy, having scored for Servette in a Swiss league game, midfielder Paolo Diogo ran to celebrate with the fans. The recently married Portuguese jumped onto the fence separating the supporters and players. Unfortunately, when he jumped down, his wedding ring caught in the wire and severed his finger at the first joint. To add insult to injury, the referee then booked the player for his excessive celebration.
1) Two wrongs do make a Wright
Number one on the list has to go to former Ipswich and Everton goalkeeper Richard Wright. Not content with one ridiculous injury, the stopper went and topped all other contenders with a second. Wright’s first injury came after a family vacation. While putting the suitcases back in the loft he stepped backwards and fell through the open hatch, injuring his shoulder. The second injury occurred in a pre-match warm up during his spell with Everton, when Wright ignored warning signs telling players not to warm up in the goal-mouths. Ironically, Richard tripped on one of the signs and sprained his ankle. He was out for a number of weeks.
In a real instance of tragicomedy, having scored for Servette in a Swiss league game, midfielder Paolo Diogo ran to celebrate with the fans. The recently married Portuguese jumped onto the fence separating the supporters and players. Unfortunately, when he jumped down, his wedding ring caught in the wire and severed his finger at the first joint. To add insult to injury, the referee then booked the player for his excessive celebration.
1) Two wrongs do make a Wright
Number one on the list has to go to former Ipswich and Everton goalkeeper Richard Wright. Not content with one ridiculous injury, the stopper went and topped all other contenders with a second. Wright’s first injury came after a family vacation. While putting the suitcases back in the loft he stepped backwards and fell through the open hatch, injuring his shoulder. The second injury occurred in a pre-match warm up during his spell with Everton, when Wright ignored warning signs telling players not to warm up in the goal-mouths. Ironically, Richard tripped on one of the signs and sprained his ankle. He was out for a number of weeks.