Jack Wilshere admits career all-but ended aged just 19, Reveals terrifying warning from surgeon
Jack Wilshere, a former Arsenal footballer, has shared details about an injury he sustained when he was 19.
The injury was so severe that a surgeon was concerned it could have resulted in him losing the ability to walk. Wilshere, who retired from professional football last year at the age of 30, disclosed this information.
Despite being a former England international and considered one of the most promising talents in the country, Jack Wilshere’s career was plagued by injuries.
These persistent injuries ultimately led to Arsenal parting ways with him in 2018. After leaving Arsenal, he had unsuccessful stints with West Ham, Bournemouth, and Danish team AGF before deciding to retire from professional football.
Despite his injury setbacks, Wilshere, who is currently 31 years old, can still proudly claim 34 international caps for England and has made 197 appearances for Arsenal.
In addition to his accomplishments, Jack Wilshere achieved success by winning the FA Cup in both 2014 and 2015 under the guidance of Arsene Wenger.
However, Wilshere, who made his debut for Arsenal at the tender age of 16, has recently revealed that a significant ankle injury he sustained during his teenage years nearly derailed his career before it had a chance to flourish. This injury posed a serious threat to his early progress in the world of football.
Speaking to Wrexham keeper Ben Foster on The Fozcast, he said: “My first injury was my worst and I paid a lot for that.
“It was my right ankle, it was like the talus, which is basically you have your fib and then this little bone that sits on top of your fib and your ankle joint and I fractured that.
“I went to see the specialist surgeon and he was like ‘I’ve never seen that. We’ve seen it in one person.’
“It was a snowboarder, you could imagine their ankles are locked in and they can bend it like that.
“So they got in another guy, a specialist to do the surgery, and I didn’t know this until a few years later, so I then went back, it must have been about six years later I was 25 and went back to see the surgeon and he was like ‘oh you’re still playing?’.”
Jack Wilshere’s ability to continue playing at the highest level well into his mid-20s is indeed remarkable considering the injuries he endured.
It was later revealed that the severity of his physical issues had been significant from a remarkably young age. Despite these challenges, Wilshere displayed great resilience and determination to persevere in his football career, showcasing his talent and skill despite the obstacles he faced.
He added: “He [the surgeon] showed me the notes from the surgery and it was like ‘yeah might not play again, might not be able to walk’.
“I didn’t know that, I think it was maybe a good thing. So I put two pins in it yeah.
“But then I paid the price, it never moved the same so then obviously it affects your knees.”
Jack Wilshere admits career all-but ended aged just 19, Reveals terrifying warning from surgeon