Gerard Deulofeu, the 31-year-old former Everton and Watford winger, continues his fight for a return to professional football. He has not played a competitive match for over three years, since January 2023, due to a severe knee injury sustained while playing for Udinese.
His initial ACL tear in November 2022 was complicated by a bacterial infection following surgery. This infection ravaged his cartilage, leading to a "bone-on-bone" condition in his knee. Deulofeu has described his injury as "closer to a permanent disability".
Despite his contract with Udinese being mutually terminated in January 2025, the Italian club continues to support his rehabilitation. Deulofeu trains daily at their facilities, hoping for a "miracle" comeback in 2026. He aims to play again for Udinese, stating his determination to overcome what he calls "maybe the most difficult recovery in history".
