Gilberto thought his career was over
March 14, 2005
Source: http://www.sambafoot.com/en/news/3172_Gilberto_Thought_His_Career_Had_Ended.html
Arsenal midfielder Gilberto Silva has revealed that he feared for his career after discovering the extent of his back injury.
The 28-year-old admitted he needed to wear a special brace to stabilise his back for up to 12 weeks and that the experience left the Brazilian wondering if he would play again.
“No matter what people said to me, I had to stay positive,” Gilberto Silva said. “I had to think one day I would play again.
“Back in September, I had been playing in so much pain for several games.
“I knew something was wrong, but I did not know what it was.
“Eventually, after the Bolton game, I realised I just could not carry on.
“The doctors tried to find out what was up and a scan revealed something really bad. I could not believe it the day I was told I had broken my back.
“They told me I had to stop everything immediately and not to do anything at all – keep as still as possible and not to move my back.
“I was ordered to rest. It was so scary.
“The specialists designed a brace for me to wear to make sure I kept my back rigid.
“I had to wear it for three months and it was uncomfortable – I hated wearing it.
“I know people were saying my career was over and I was worried and concerned.
“But after six weeks, I had another scan and it showed that things were starting to heal.”