Super Eagles defender Ryan Alebiosu has opened up about a difficult period in his teenage years when an unexplained knee problem kept him out of football for around two years, revealing how the experience affected his development, Footynaija.com reports.
The Blackburn Rovers right-back was around 15 when he began experiencing pain in both knees. The problem left him unable to run or walk properly, while doctors struggled to determine the cause or whether he needed surgery.
Alebiosu admitted that spending such a long period away from the game was difficult, especially as other young players continued to develop while he waited for answers.
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“They didn’t know what was going on. I couldn’t run. I couldn’t walk,” Alebiosu told the Lancashire Telegraph.
“Obviously, it was kind of depressing having about two years of not playing football because of this knee injury. This was when I was about 15 and went on for a couple of years. I couldn’t play.”
Alebiosu said he could only hope the problem would eventually settle, with the uncertainty surrounding his condition making the experience even more frustrating.
“I was always hoping for the best, to be honest,” he said.
“They didn’t know if I needed the surgery or anything, but at that point I was just hoping that it was nothing more (serious) and that it would just settle.
“It was frustrating because I was a kid and everyone was progressing and I’m just waiting to see when this is gonna go.”
His fortunes eventually improved as he grew older, with his speed returning around the age of 18. The defender went on to progress through spells with Arsenal’s youth setup, Crewe Alexandra, Kilmarnock, Kortrijk and St Mirren before joining Blackburn Rovers.
Having established himself at Ewood Park, Alebiosu has enjoyed a consistent start to the 26/27 Championship campaign, starting all eight of Blackburn’s league matches before this weekend’s fixture against Cardiff City.
