The game was intense, the kind where every touch, every pass, every sprint felt like it could be the difference between winning and losing, every tackle could lead to a fight breaking our between the teams. We were deep into the second half, tied at 1-1, and the tension was obvious, I recon people though the TV or across the world could feel it. I could hear the crowd, feel the energy increasing as their chants became louder and louder, ringing throughout the stadium, but I was focused, I had to stay focused — stay zoned in on the ball as it ran across the bright green grass.
I saw my chance as the ball broke loose near the edge of the box. I pushed off with my right foot, sprinting forward, eyes locked on the ball. Everything around me blurred in a way, I don't know how to explain it really and I don't really remember it, just that the ball and the goal in sight. I went for it, stretching out, ready to make the play—when it happened, when the worst moment of my life happened.
There was a snap, a sickening pop that I felt more than heard, and my knee gave out beneath me. Pain—white-hot and blinding—shot through my leg, radiating up through my thigh and down to my toes. The pain was so bad that I felt like I was blinded, everything stayed blurry as I rolled about on the floor holding my knee, unable to find any position comfy or a position that could help with the pain. It felt like my knee had been ripped apart from the inside out, like something vital had just shattered.
"No, no, no..." I muttered, panic rising in my chest. I knew something was wrong, terribly wrong. I tried to move, but the pain was overwhelming, a searing fire that made my vision blur even worse, if that was even possible. I could hear the referee's whistle, the game grinding to a halt, but all I could focus on was the agony ripping through my leg.
Suddenly, she was there. Nerea. Her face, usually so calm and composed, was etched with worry as she dropped to her knees beside me. "(Y/n)," she said, her voice trembling, but steady enough to keep me anchored. "Breathe, okay? Just breathe."
I tried, but each breath felt like a struggle, instead of staying calm I let out a little sob. My hands were shaking as I clung to her, gripping her arm like it was the only thing keeping me from falling apart completely. "Nerea," I gasped, tears stinging my eyes. "It's bad... I heard a pop... I've done it haven't I" I sobbed into her shoulder as she leant over me, trying to provide some privacy from the cameras.
She didn't hesitate. Nerea knew what that meant, better than most. "I'm here, I've got you," she said, her voice gentle but firm. She glanced up, calling for the medical team, but her focus was on me. "Just keep looking at me, okay? Don't think about anything else. Just focus on me."
I nodded, trying to blink away the tears, but the pain was overwhelming. I could see the fear in her eyes, even though she was doing everything she could to stay strong for me. The medics arrived quickly, but it felt like an eternity as they assessed my knee, gently but efficiently, their hands prodding the area around it.
"We believe it's your ACL but we need to run more tests, ones that can only be done at a hospital" one of them said softly, confirming my worst fear. "We need to get you off the pitch and to the hospital."
I squeezed Nerea's hand, biting back a sob, tears swarming my vision. My season—hell, maybe even my career — just flashed before my eyes. All the hard work, the sweat, the sacrifices... it felt like it was crumbling away with each second that passed.
"I can't believe this is happening, this isn't real." I whispered, my voice breaking. A couple tears finally making their way down my face as reality finally hit me.
Nerea leaned in closer, pressing her forehead against mine. "I know," she whispered back, her own voice shaky. "But we'll get through this. You're not alone, okay? We'll face this together."
They carefully lifted me onto the stretcher, and Nerea never let go of my hand, not even for a second. The crowd was dead silent, I've never heard it so silent, the only sound the rustling of feet on the grass and the quiet murmurs of concern. As they carried me off the pitch, Nerea walked beside me, her grip strong, her presence the only thing grounding me in that moment.
As the painkillers started to take effect, dulling the sharpest edges of the agony, yet even with the medication the pain was still searing. Every movement making me feel worse and worse. Everything has gone wrong today.
I found myself holding on to her words. I wasn't alone. No matter how long the road to recovery would be, Nerea would be there, every step of the way.
And somehow, even through the pain, that made it a little more bearable. The thought of having my family with me the whole way, not just my blood family but my football family, the family that would understand this more than anyone else as they are also sacred of this happening to them.
