Former Manchester United player Alan Smith has revealed the long-term damage caused by the broken leg he suffered after John Arne Riise struck him with a free-kick in 2006.
Smith was left with a broken leg and a dislocated ankle after attempting to block Liverpool defender Riise's shot at goal during a FA Cup fifth-round clash at Anfield.
Smith, who made his comeback for United seven months later, called time on his playing career this summer after being released by League Two side Notts County and has now admitted he is still suffering because of the incident.
He told The Mirror: 'I knew with the injury it would be touch and go whether I could carry on playing – the surgeon said that.
'It would have been easier to walk away and people remember you as a top Premier League player. But I didn't want that, because I loved playing football. Your love of it makes you go through the pain barrier.
'But by the end, the day-to-day training was doing more harm than good. I couldn't compete at a level I felt I could easily before. I get out of bed and can't walk properly, my ankle is stiff all the time.
'I went for a run in the summer and managed to do a couple of miles but stopped and started walking because my ankle was hurting. I went back last month and the surgeon said, "I don't want you doing any straight-line running", just because it will damage the joint.
'It is always difficult to walk away but when you see someone and they don't want you running, you know it is the right decision. I have no regrets, for me I see retiring early being the easy option.'
The physical deterioration that came as a result of the injury saw Smith change position from a striker to a midfielder. He injured the same ankle again when playing for Newcastle and admits that was probably worse.
'I knew I wouldn’t be the same again. I was never as good in that new position as I was as a forward. But I became a better footballer and learnt about the game,' he added.
'In the Tyne-Wear derby against Sunderland in 2011 it was the second time I injured my left ankle. Arguably that was worse because I had all the metalwork in it from previously and that got distorted and messed up.
'But after both the injuries I came back and helped my team win trophies. Winning the Premier League is a massive thing for anyone which United did in 2007 before I left.
'After we went down with Newcastle in 2009 we had a point to prove to get promoted. I captained the team a lot that next season and it is nice if before you leave you can get them back. I feel lucky to have won the Premier League trophy and lifted the Championship trophy.'
oladipulo
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Isn't this the FIFA commentator Alan Smith?
same thing has been on my mind.
Africa8634557
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Alan Smith a great mildfielder and also commonly called Milfield Rabo
Emmasel7
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Isn't this the FIFA commentator Alan Smith?
roni_sohan
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one of My Fav player..I always think where he gone after Man u...now came to knw whts hapn...Luv U Alan
AdrianShion
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Is that picture really him in the Notts shirt? Looks well different
that is a Newcastle jersey
favorite
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Is that picture really him in the Notts shirt? Looks well different
possiblen
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Always had a real edge to his play. Wouldn't have been out of place in the Revie teams of the late 60s and early 70s.
xvidoeos
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Wow, bitter Latchford just because everton haven't got any rivals.
Enriqueze
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Hugely underrated player. Was terrific at Leeds and there was far more to his game than he was given credit for. A testament to his attitude and commitment that he was able to extend his career for so long following his awful injury. I wish him well.
Justinbra
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Something changed in him after that injury, he wasn't the same player again. Still, he won a few trophies at United and played his part. Wish him the best.
neutron
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Former Manchester United striker Alan Smith has set the record straight about the Liverpool fans who attacked the ambulance after he broke his leg at Anfield.It didn¿t happen! Smith suffered a broken leg and a dislocated ankle in a challenge with John Arne Riise during an FA Cup tie at Anfield in 2006 which Liverpool won 1-0. Reports claimed that bottles, beer glasses and stones were hurled at the vehicle and some even rocked the ambulance and tried to overturn it. Liverpool and Manchester United later issued a joint statement condemning the incident. But Smith has put the record straight. Asked about the incident, he said ¿It didn¿t happen - fans were still in the ground. I went back to Liverpool a few years later with Newcastle and had a great reception. ¿I had loads of mail from fans after the injury, including a lot from Liverpool. And Liverpool¿s medical staff were great.....NEXT
domdomO
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Didn't his ambulance get attacked and bricks thrown at it as he left Anfield ??? Now there's a shock .....
collection
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Smith himself has denied the ambulance was ever attacked, before anyone chirps in with that one... oh wait, someone already has.
Jamesnagy
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How do you strike someone with a free kick? Was it the ball or his foot?
vuhceinpy
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Alan Smith & Mark Viduka were a partnership made in heaven