There isn’t much to be positive about at Valencia at the moment, but Mouctar Diakhaby has done his best to cheer up the Mestalla faithful.
The Guinean centre-back has been out of action for just short of a year, and scored in his second start since returning, helping Valencia to a 2-0 win over Leganes, making it three LaLiga wins in four, and now they’re just a point from safety.
The reality is though, that it’s a miracle Diakhaby is back on a football pitch.
On March 5th 2024 he was left crying in pain after a tackle from Aurelien Tchouameni went wrong.
The 28-year-old was given a diagnosis which is more commonly seen in car accidents than on football pitches, dislocating his knee and tearing five ligaments.
Doctors at the time claimed the ‘wild’ injury was the ‘worst a footballer can have’ and said that Diakhaby may not be able to walk again, let alone play football.
Yet not only is he walking again, but he’s playing football and looks set to power the team’s survival charge.
Diakhaby’s goal celebration was full of emotion, collapsing to the floor in tears and post-match he said: “I felt very emotional.
“After everything I’ve been through, it’s been very special. I felt the atmosphere of football again. I’ve forgotten all the time I’ve spent fighting and working in the gym.
“I’ve thought about my family, everything I’ve been through. I remembered the moment of the injury, how hard I’ve worked and I remembered my family who were very affected.
“I listened to the people (singing Diakhaby, I love you). I always try to give the best of what I have. When we give our best, they’re with us.
“We’re doing well in the league now, it’s a difficult year and we’ve had three wins at home. We have to continue along this line and try to win in Villarreal.”
Leave a Reply