Éder Militão (defender and right back/Real Madrid), 28, likely starter for the Brazilian team, outside the World Cup. Biceps femoris.
Estêvão (striker/Chelsea), 19, possible starter for the Brazilian team, most likely out of the World Cup. Biceps femoris.
Raphinha (striker/Barcelona), 29, likely starter for the Brazilian team, recovering from his third injury in six months. Biceps femoris.
Wesley (right-back/Roma), 22, possible starter for the Brazilian team in the absence of Militão, away from matches for a month. Biceps femoris.
The four cases involve players from Brazil. In addition to them, the Spanish Lamine Yamal, 18, one of the hottest stars of the new generation, Raphinha’s clubmate, and the Turkish Arda Güler, 21, Militão’s clubmate, were recently injured and, if they recover in time, they will not reach the World Cup, which starts on June 11th, in perfect conditions. Biceps femoris.
This muscle presents itself as a great villain. It is located on the back of the thigh and functions to flex the knee and extend the hip.
Simplifying the injury: the player feels, generally when he takes a hit, a “sting” there. The pain is immediate. Difficulty walking, swelling. Depending on the degree, there is total muscle rupture, in which case surgery is indicated.
Can this type of injury be avoided? The answer, mercilessly, is: no. No matter how well prepared/conditioned the player is, he is subject to the “bursting” of the muscle. Why?
Because it stems from a common movement in football: running quickly and slowing down suddenly. Then the femoral biceps may not be able to support it. The act of kicking also poses a danger, but it is less dangerous than running at high speed.
“It’s a typical injury. Responsible for 1/3 of muscle injuries in football. Very related to the intensity of effort and with a high rate of recurrence. Good prevention work reduces the chance of occurrence by up to 30%”, André Pedrinelli, from the Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology of the Hospital das Clínicas of the Faculty of Medicine of USP, told me.
Once the injury is detected, if the imaging tests do not indicate a very high level of severity, the athlete undergoes conservative treatment, which involves rest followed by physiotherapy.
One of the most recommended exercises to strengthen the biceps femoris is the Nordic push-up. Which can, and should, be done preventively, not just curatively. The athlete gets on their knees, with their feet fixed/trapped, and lowers their body slowly, with their torso straight. He goes as far as he can before returning. And repeat, repeat, repeat, day by day, in order to get results.
The problem is that, even if the player is clinically well, there is no certainty that he will not reoffend. “A previous injury,” in Pedrinelli’s words, “is the biggest risk factor for a recurrence. Seven times more important than any other factor.”
Therefore, the situations of Raphinha and Wesley, although less serious than those of Militão and Estêvão, are worrying. Without a recurrence, they could even be on Carlo Ancelotti’s list. But what if the recurrence comes during the World Cup? Are they worth the risk?
Raphinha, considered a star, yes. Wesley, one far away from being a Carlos Alberto Torres or a Cafu, no.
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