AXEL TUANZEBE has become the latest football star to suffer a freak injury.
The former Manchester United ace, 26, missed Ipswich’s defeat at West Ham over the weekend for an unusual reason.
Boss Kieran McKenna confirmed that Tuanzebe had suffered a “hand injury” ahead of the game.
It later emerged that the defender had been left with a deep laceration in his thumb after a glass shattered as he washed the dishes.
Tuanzebe required urgent medical attention, with initial fears that he could lose his thumb.
Thankfully, successful surgery saved him from such an ordeal – although McKenna has admitted that he will be without his defender for a while.
Tuanzebe is not the first footballer to be sidelined in bizarre circumstances.
Here, SunSport runs through 11 other crazy injuries suffered by some of the biggest stars in the sport.
RIO FERDINAND
Our list begins with former Manchester United and England captain Ferdinand… who managed to injure himself while sitting with his feet up.
During his younger days at Leeds, Ferdinand decided to lock in for a gaming session on Pro Evolution Soccer in January 2001.
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Unfortunately for him, he seemed to get almost too relaxed, with his then-boss David O’Leary later explaining: “He had his foot up on the coffee table. It was in a certain position for a number of hours and strained a tendon behind his knee.”
LEE BEEVERS
Former defender Beevers, now 40, joined Colchester in 2009 following a five-year stint with Lincoln that was largely injury-free.
Unfortunately his spell with the U’s was plagued, as he was limited to just four league appearances in the 2009-10 campaign.
In September of the following season, disaster struck for Beevers as he carried his daughter’s pram up the stairs – tripping as he did so and being left in a cast with a dislocated metacarpal following a trip to A&E. Ouch.
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FRANK LAMPARD
Chelsea legend Lampard suffered a freak injury on the sidelines while managing Everton.
During wild celebrations following Alex Iwobi‘s winner over Newcastle he took a whack to his left hand, which was later seen shaking as he checked his watch towards the end of the game.
After the game, sporting a nasty bruise and lump on his hand, he told Prime Video: “I’ve broken my hand in the celebrations. My bones must be going soft, I don’t remember the moment.”
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KIRK BROADFOOT
Former Rangers defender Broadfoot was already suffering with a foot issue when he was hospitalised after trying to poach an egg.
The Scot, now 40, was left with egg – and burns – on his face when he decided to use his microwave to poach two eggs.
As he leaned in to have a look, one of the eggs exploded, scalding Broadfoot and leaving him requiring medical treatment.
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MARCO ASENSIO
Many footballers these days are well groomed and clean cut.
In 2017, then-Real Madrid star Asensio missed a Champions League clash with Apoel Nicosia, after suffering with an infected spot picked up while shaving his legs.
Boss Carlo Ancelotti said of Asensio’s spot of bother: “He has a pimple on his leg which means he cannot lift his sock.”
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SHINJI KAGAWA
In December 2013, Man Utd were without the Japanese star for a clash with Newcastle after he had to have his stomach pumped.
Following his side’s defeat by the Toon, Moyes revealed that Kagawa had required treatment after eating too much.
The Scot gave fans food for though by revealing: “It was a bad sickness. He thinks he ate too much, and he had to get his stomach pumped, but I think he is OK.”
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RAMI KAIB
Healthy eating can be a dangerous game, as found out by Kaib in 2021.
The full-back, then of Dutch side Heerenveen, was ruled out for weeks after breaking his jaw while eating a carrot.
Kaib, now 27, had suffered a knock in his previous match, with his raw carrot proving to be the final straw.
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CHRIS SMALLING
While on holiday in Bali, ex-Man Utd defender Smalling got himself into a spot of bother.
The centre-back, now 34, was spotted in hospital with bandages around his head – with speculation at the time that he’d been stung by a jellyfish.
As it turned out, Smalling had fainted in the heat and banged his head. Stay hydrated, folks!
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DAVE BEASANT
Wimbledon FA Cup hero Beasant suffered a bizarrely self-inflicted injury during his stint with Chelsea.
After dropping a bottle of salad cream, goalkeeper Beasant attempted to control it with his bare foot.
In the process he broke and tore a tendon in his toe, ruling him out for two months – should have used his hands!
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VICTOR ADEBOYEJO
Bolton forward Adeboyejo is a handful for opposition defenders, but in one instance his strength backfired.
Last month, Adeboyejo was forced to pull out from a matchday squad after a powerful sneeze left him with discomfort in his ribs.
Wanderers boss Ian Evatt explained: “He was okay at the time, but then he had a pretty hefty sneeze.
“Victor is a powerful boy, and even his sneezes are powerful. I’ll have to start having a long look at myself when players start getting injured sneezing.”
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PHILIPPE MEXES
In November 2013, then-AC Milan defender Mexes missed out on a 1-1 draw with Genoa after complaining of eye soreness in the warm-up.
Following further tests, the centre-back was diagnosed with central serous retinopathy.
According to Italian outlet Tuttosport, Mexes may have suffered the issue due to using a sunbed. Tan-talising.
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DAVID JAMES
Former England goalkeeper James was twice injured in strange circumstances.
Once, while trying to reach for a remote control, he pulled a muscle in his back.
On another occasion, the luckless stopper hurt his shoulder while fishing for carp.
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