Four footballers who suffered from misfortune
It might seem odd to talk about unlucky footballers. After all they play the game they love, are rewarded with the sorts of wages that most people can only dream about and often have second cars that are Ferraris.
But it’s all relative so, while they may seem to have it all, there are a number of ways that bad luck can hit them hard and tarnish a career - so much so that having all the skill in the world can’t help them escape the effects of sheer misfortune. So here are four prime examples of how having it all can quickly transform into not having very much at all.
Robert Green, England
They say that you have to have a particular kind of personality to be a good goalkeeper. After all, usually you draw attention to yourself when you’re spending more time picking the ball out of the net than saving it. Sometimes this is inevitable but at others bad luck plays a part. At least that’s what Robert Green discovered with this particular howler in a 2010 World Cup match against the USA.
Esteban Cambiasso, Olympiakos
Hindsight’s a wonderful thing and Cambiasso almost certainly wishes he had more of it. At the start of the 2015-16 season he was recovering from near relegation with Leicester City and could see a repeat performance on the cards. So he made sure he was transferred to the Greek team with seemingly better prospects – and missed out on being part of one of football’s biggest upsets of all time.
Jonathan Richter, FC Nordsjaelland
Richter really is a player who could line up with the unluckiest people in the world. When playing in a match against another Danish team Hvidvore in 2009 he was struck by lightning on the leg. This not only stopped his heart, he also had to have part of his leg amputated ending a very promising career.
Sebastian Bassong, Norwich
Just as teams can have lucky mascots, Sebastian Bassong must have spent at least a little of his time wondering whether he’s the opposite. No less than six times has he played for a team that has been relegated, Metz twice, Newcastle, Wolves and Norwich, again twice.
So, from these few examples, no one could deny that the effects of luck can be major and far-reaching even on footballing megastars. The secret is to roll with the punches and just hope that in the end you’ll come out on top.