Former Slovak footballer Martin Škrtel (40) He was forced to end a professional career in May 2022. The reason was health problems, which limited him in top sports and were also reflected in private. What torment he lived revealed in the podcaste
Although he knew he would come that day, he tried to delay it with force. However, when he lost his hope with the last expert, he had to accept it. He threatened the operation near the spinal cord and did not want to undergo. “Maybe that day will come when I will have to undergo it, but I try to delay it as much as possible by exercising, doing physiotherapy and everything possible so that I can work normally in that civilian life,” said a native of Handlova.
In the past he wore jerseys AS Trenčín, Zenit St. Petersburg, FC Liverpool, Fenerbahce Istanbul and Istanbul Basaksehir. He played 104 matches for the national team and scored six goals, played at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and EURO 2016 in France. He ended his career in Spartak Trnava, where he had hell for the last few months.
“We were over, I went by car, let’s put it in Bratislava or Trenčín, and I had to stop three times just to get my legs because they started tingling, I didn’t feel them And I had to pull myself to come to go, because it was the worst after the training or after the match, ”recalls Škrtel, adding that He couldn’t stand on his feet for a minute.
How bad it is he realized even during the moments together with his son Matteowhen he pushed him golf things. “I found that I couldn’t walk 50 meters. I walked 50 meters and had to lie down on the grass and pull. I saw that my son perceived that something was wrong. I didn’t want my child to perceive me that I was 38 years old and I was unable to pass, I was unable to stand, I had to sit down. I thought I didn’t want to live that way, that I don’t want to live in civilian life, ”he concluded.
Did not remember the day without pain
He also talked about back and plate problems more than two years ago during a press conference where he announced the end of his career with tears in his eyes. “Anyone who has experienced it knows that this is not pleasant and limits me not only in football, but also in my personal life. I don’t remember the day I would spend without pain. If it was only in matches or workouts, it could be accepted somehow,” he said in May 2022.
“Unfortunately, previous months I played matches under tablets and injections. My personal life did not exist, with my son I had a problem walking a hundred meters. If we were doing this press, I wouldn’t have been able to handle it. The pains are bad enough. I tried to consult with various doctors and physiotherapists, I went through therapy. I have to say that when the problems were first heard in October, I somehow finished the half season, ”he added.
“In winter I had no problems, I played hockey, skiing, it did not limit me. But the winter preparation came and the pain came back to the stage that After the match with Dunajská Streda I went through ozone therapy. After some time it was all right again. However, these are already indications that this injury is difficult to combine with football. The doctors also told me that they were the worst run, jumps and impact. So something you need in football. That is why I had to decide that the match with Dunajská Streda would be the last not only in Spartak, but also in my career, ”said Škrtel with his throat.
