But no paraplegia
After a broken neck: footballer hopes for a comeback
Updated 10/29/2025 – 7:29 amReading time: 2 minutes
A few weeks ago, Samuel Asamoah was seriously injured. An end to his career was in the offing. But now the tide seems to be turning.
Surprisingly positive news about Samuel Asamoah: just three weeks after breaking his neck, the midfielder can hope for an early comeback.
As his club Guangxi Pingguo from China’s second division announced, the 31-year-old could be back on the pitch “in three to six months”. Asamoah’s advisor Avram Marius expressed even more optimism to the French news agency AFP. In his opinion, the professional could be able to play again “after his recovery in two months”.
The former legionnaire from Belgium and Romania hit his head against an LED board during a game when an opponent hit him. According to Guangxi, Asamoah suffered neck fractures and nerve damage and required surgery. Shortly after the procedure, the club made it public that a severe paraplegia and the end of the Togolese’s career were possible.
These fears did not come true. A video has been posted on Guangxi’s social media channels showing Asamoah entering a fruit shop, talking to other people and visiting a nursing home.
Should Samuel Asamoah actually return to the football field, he would not be the first professional to succeed in such a way. One of the most famous examples comes from 1956. At that time, the legendary story about Manchester City goalkeeper Bert Trautmann occurred in the English FA Cup final.
The Bremen native suffered a broken neck and injuries to several cervical vertebrae during a rescue operation against Birmingham City (3-1) due to an unfortunate knee blow from an opponent. Due to the ban on substitutions in force at the time, Trautmann continued playing in pain for the last 15 minutes – and held on to victory for his team.
The extent of the injury was only determined after the game. The “Citizens” keeper initially had to wear a plaster corset, but then continued his career with a neck brace. He stood in goal for eight more years before ending his career. Trautmann died in 2013.