Vrsaljko: “In December I will return even stronger than before”

Sime Vrsaljko cannot get out of the labyrinth of injuries in which he has been immersed since in January of last year. The croatian he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee when he was on loan at Inter Milan and missed the rest of the season. He returned to Madrid to be operated on by the rojiblancos doctors and a downtime of between eight and nine months was forecast that lasted until January. On matchday 21, against Leganés, he entered his first call-up and started. He played several games in a row, including the Champions League tie against Liverpool and precisely the return to the English was his last match as a mattress player Until now.

In May, he underwent surgery on his knee to remove surgical material from the previous intervention. The goal was to return when LaLiga resumed after the stoppage due to the coronavirus. However, recovery periods were lengthened and his return was set for the final phase of the Champions League in Lisbon (August 13 against Leipzig). However, in the PCR test prior to traveling to the Portuguese capital, tested positive for coronavirus, which prevented him from moving with the group, saying goodbye to the course. Total accumulated 482 'in seven games between all competitions and gave an assist.

This campaign had not yet been able to debut due to a muscle injury and, when it seemed that he was already recovered, last Friday the same joint was operated on for the third time to solve a problem. After this new step through the operating room, Vrsaljko has spoken with his country's media ‘Sportske Novosti’ about his recovery and his expectations for the future. The Croatian assures that “I know it may sound bad, because now it is my third arthroscopic procedure since April. However, this time we are all really convinced that everything will be fine, the doctors and I. This is having a lot of bad luck ”.

He also explains the reason why he had to undergo a third operation, which he is convinced will be the final one. “It was due to a severe infection that I had this summer after the first arthroscopy. Everything that happened was the result of that infection, fortunately without serious consequences for my knee. The doctor removed it and said that he examined the operated knee and ligaments and that they were extraordinarily well. That is why I say that I will return in full force from December ”.

Vrsaljko assures that is willing to overcome so many difficulties that he has encountered in recent months and to be able to work hard with his colleagues. “When I joined the team, I did it with all my desire. Everyone knows that Atlético's preparation is very demanding, but it was going well for me. I want to be completely oblivious to any difficulties, to be able to loop from top to bottom, without having to think how much it will hurt, how much I can or cannot bear. I'm really tired of this bad luck”.

The Croatian Atlético player says that they explained that the infection caused “an increase in the scar, which had become hard enough to scrape the bone and still tighten the leg and muscle. The joint and ligament were like new, so later problems are just a sequence of bad luck around the scar”.

However, despite the setbacks that have crossed his path since he returned to Atlético, Vrsaljko is convinced that he will be able to prove himself. “In the life of a footballer, injuries and bad luck are part of history, as are victories, happy moments and celebrations. I guess that's the way it has to be. After fulfilling the dream of playing the World Cup in Russia, after winning the Europa League with Atlético, the phase of bad luck arrived. The key is to stay calm and believe that the good will return. I'm convinced that I will come out of everything even stronger and more powerful”.

Of course, bad times have passed after so long chaining operations and months of loss. “I have had difficult moments in the last months, that is, the last year and a half. There comes a time when you break down and ask yourself 'What is this? Is it possible to live without pain? '. But it passes quickly because I am aware that there's no use whining. I am not that type of person, the men of the Vrsaljko family are strong, from my grandparents to the little ones. It will pass, everything passes. And when that time comes, believe me, no one will stop me on the right side”.

An important part of your recovery process is having the confidence of your teammates and, above all, your coach and knows that Simeone supports him: “The coach is a pragmatic guy and as a player he went through everything. Because He told me to have the maximum discipline in my recovery to be able to return as soon as possible”.