GERARD DEULOFEU has revealed he is praying for a miracle as he aims to return to playing football regularly.
Deulofeu, 31, has been going through injury hell since November 2022.
The Spaniard suffered a torn ACL but has since suffered multiple setbacks during his rehabilitation, including infected cartilage.
That has left his right knee needing to regenerate the cartilage before he is able to play again properly.
The former Barcelona, Everton and Watford star admitted earlier this year he may not be able to play again.
Speaking to Flashscore about his ordeal, Deulofeu said: “[It] is more than an injury, it’s something closer to a permanent disability, to having a prosthesis in the knee.
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“Not being able to take a step because bone collides with bone is much more serious. I’m fighting against biology and also against this one (his head).
“I’ve been going for two and a half years. I’m lucky that my team, my president and my colleagues at Udinese are with me.
“Luckily, I can train every day. It gives me a lot of strength to have the motivation to be able to train in my stadium every day…
“The repercussion is that you can’t train as you should, you lose muscle. Add to that adhesions to the kneecap and the aggressions to the knee.”
Deulofeu revealed he “can’t count” the number of times he has thought about quitting.
However, Deulofeu is determined to battle through his ordeal so his children can see him play for Udinese.
He said: “It’s going to be very difficult, but I want to make history.
“I think I can be the player who has been out for the longest time who has been able to come back. That would be a magnificent and beautiful record for me.
“And to do it for my family and for my children. They were born knowing that I am a player, and now that they are a bit older, they are asking me to come back, and that breaks my heart.”
Fortunately, there is some positive news on his battle.
He said: “There is healing in the cartilage area because without that, with the bone-on-bone collision, it would be impossible to come back.
“But all that cartilage is healing, and now we have to clean the area and build more muscle so I can feel better and train morning and evening.
“Before, I used to work out one day and had to stop for two. Now, the knee is reacting well, and although I see it as a long way off, it’s a good indicator…
“There are days and days, and you have to have a lot of patience, to be at home with your family to balance your mind emotionally.
“I can’t count the number of times I’ve thought about quitting… but you know, I also have a team behind me, experts in psychoneuroimmunology that I rely on.
“And these experiences have made me stone cold. It’s going to be very difficult for me to give up or be thrown away. Mine is a miracle, and I’m going to try until the last moment.”
Deulofeu has been able to call on compatriot Santi Cazorla, who had surgery 11 times in two years before he was able to play professionally again, as a point of reference.
He explained: “We follow each other, and we have exchanged messages. Santi is an example for me.
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“You only know what can happen if something similar happens to you.
“I know what it’s like not to be able to enjoy your passion when you’re young, and I put myself in his shoes because he’s a legend and an example of overcoming adversity.”
